15 March,2010 03:55 PM IST | | Kasmin Fernandes and Sakshi Bhatia
Janit Gambhir is probably the only man in Mumbai who twirls fire for fun and fitness, and he can show you how
Fire twirling is a veritable martial art dance. The dexterity and co-ordination it takes to manoeuvre a staff lit with the most powerful element on earth, is no less than wizardry. It's only natural then, that Janit Gambhir should be an instructor. When the 28 year-old is not making films, he is a Reiki practitioner, tarot card reader and energy masseur. Janit was a professional masseur for the two years he was studying in Sydney, and developed his own "energy massage" on returning to India.
Reflexology is not the only thing Sydney introduced him to. "I discovered fire twirlers there. I captured them on camera and turned the footage into a visual montage, Under a Glass Moon," he says. Back in Delhi, he could not get the heady performance art out of his mind. "I started practicing with the chowkidar's lathi, for hours on end. A friend brought me a fire staff from his trip abroad. A visit to a sports shop, curtain shop, hardware store and mistri later, I had all the paraphernalia I needed for lighting up, cleaning and care."
Clean up and care is also what Janit teaches in fire twirling sessions at his spacious Bandra terrace. Held individually and in groups, the class will teach you how to hold, loop and set the staff ablaze. "It takes about two months to really start flowing with the fire. But you'll be ready to try it out by the end of the first session," says the lean instructor who focuses on the form's workout and dance elements.
"It's a graceful workout, which strengthens your shoulders and arms. It teaches you how to find your centre, and to breathe right," says Janit as he smoothly spins the pole around his body. Its ends are on fire, yet his movements flow so easily into one another that the man and the element liquefy into one continuous swirl. Before you know it, blue and amber melt into the brown of his skin, and you can't tell flesh from fire. Isn't caution advised?
"Fire twirling is like playing in the sand. You will have your share of bumps and bruises as a reminder that you have played with fire. I've hurt myself a lot more spinning an unlit staff, though," he says.
Janit Gambhir holds fire twirling sessions at 4th floor, Naval Kunj, Linking Road, Bandra (W). Call: 9833879338. Rs 1,800 per month/4 classes, Rs 700 for single session.
Janit's safety tips
>>Fire can't hurt you unless it's close to your skin.
>>Don't fire twirl alone, especially if you are new to it. A second person can watch over your safety while you are using fire and help in case of a mishap.
>>Wear close-fitting clothes of cotton.
>>Be very aware of your environment and the people in it. Make sure you have a lot of space around you when you fire twirl and keep an eye out for people who may wander by while you are twirling.
>>Don't try it at home, especially without supervision.
Warrior origins
Modern fire twirling akin to the fireknife dance stemmed from the Samoan ailao -- a warrior's knife dance performed with the nifo oti, or "tooth of death". This dance was displayed before battle to frighten the enemy and afterwards to celebrate victory. Today, the art of fire twirl dancing has become one of the most intense, skillful and beautiful Samoan traditions. The modern dance consists of twirling a sharp staff or knife, with both ends on fire, at high speeds and requires acute precision and acrobatic finesse.
