10 February,2022 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania
Members of the group rehearse at the ground of Holy Cross Group of Schools at Bhayandar
After almost two years, the Bhayandar-based dance troupe Teenager's Crew India, now called Zero Gravity Group India, recently performed on the show India's Got Talent. The group members weren't getting work during the lockdown and most were the sole earners for their families. After mid-day's report on them in October 2021, an APMC trader had provided them groceries for a few months and a school allowed them the use of its ground and hall free of cost, for rehearsals.
The group's co-founder says thanks to this, they were able to perform in the show. The troupe is dependent on weddings, corporate events and reality shows for a living. They are well known for stunts and free-style hip hop dance. They performed in India's Got Talent last month. The lockdown had forced many of the members to work as labourers on construction sites, or as delivery boys, in garages, etc.
mid-day had first reported on the group on October 23, 2020, after they were seen practising their stunts outside the Bhayandar railway station. They would rehearse at a studio but due to the lockdown, one of the troupe's founders said they were unable to pay its rent. After mid-day's report, many people and NGOs came forward to help them. The Bhayandar-based Holy Cross Group of Schools provided them the ground and hall of one of their schools for rehearsals free of cost.
One of the founders of Zero Gravity India, Rohan Pawar, said, "We received a lot of help from locals, social workers and NGOs after mid-day's report on us. Earlier there were 15-17 people in our group but now there are around 35 people. Last Sunday we performed in India's Got Talent after more than two years. This was possible because we were able to practise in the school ground and hall. This gives us hope that our work has started."
"Earlier we would perform at events and marriage functions. But still there is a limitation on the number of guests at marriages. So we are still not getting any work at marriage functions. The government should give relaxations on the restrictions for marriage functions as now the situation is almost normal in the city. We got the big opportunity to perform in India's Got Talent and the school ground for rehearsals only because of mid-day," Pawar said further.
Speaking to mid-day, William James Peechatt, CEO of Holy Cross Group Of Schools at Bhayandar, said, "I read about the troupe in mid-day and immediately contacted them. I provided them our school ground for rehearsals free of cost. We also let them practise in the hall. I am supporting them for their talent. I am also trying to find work for them."
Zero Gravity Group India dance troupe was formed in 2012 and they have performed in India's Got Talent Season 7, India Banega Manch, Dance Maharashtra Dance, Kings of Dance, Dancing Stars 3, Star Parivaar Awards, Tamil Nadu Premier League and the IPL.
