A good partner can make or break your career

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The glamorous world of Bollywood has over the years produced superhit jodis like Raj Kapoor and Nargis, Dharmendra and Hema Malini, Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha, and of course Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.
We always remember these popular jodis for their chemistry and togetherness. When they appear on screen, begin their mesmerising songs and dance routines, it seems so effortless and coordinated. It looks simply perfect in every way.
We witness the same magic when we see couples dance on stage or on a party dance floor. Couple dance is one such form of dance that remains unmatched in terms of its beauty and grace. Therefore, it becomes imperative to choose the right dance partner for oneself.
For many, dance is a tool that helps them socialise with others. It gives them a chance to mix with other people. But, if you are one of those dancers who is interested in performing or competing at different couple dance championships, or just want someone you can rely on to be available when your favourite song is playing, then it is time for you to look for a regular dance partner.
But, finding the right dance partner is not as easy as it appears. There are a lot of things that one must consider before choosing the right partner. I specialise in Latin and Ballroom dances, and in these forms having the right partner is most important. It is said that a good partner can make or break your career in dance. In other words, the jodi should be like that of a Ram and Sita or Krishna and Radha. Perfect in all ways.
With an experience of over 35 years in this jodi dance forms and having had multiple dance partners over the years, I would like to give you some tips if you are looking for the perfect dance partner
Decide which dance style or at least which genre you are interested in learning and competing in. This narrows down the choice of potential dance partners considerably, because if the other person is into another dance form, your partnership will surely be short-lived.
Dance with as many people as possible, and learn as much as you can while you are still looking for the perfect person to match your steps with. This will give you a broad exposure of different dance styles. Follow these styles and also the dance personalities of different people. It will help you to decide the kind of dancer you’re most comfortable dancing with. A dancer becomes different from the others by the way she/he interprets music. Although the basic steps for any given form of music are fairly universal, the range for interpretation and expression is endless. So, if you meet somebody who says you’re dancing wrong, it is either a mistake that you should rectify or you have paired up with the wrong dancer.
It is always better to choose a dance partner who you are comfortable with. Remember that you would to be spending a lot of time with this person, and the occasional creative conflict is inevitable. The ideal dance partner should share your level of expertise, however, if you are compatible with the person anyway, it may not be difficult for you to be dancing with someone who is not as experienced as you are.
You can always learn new techniques, but the personality of your partner would be difficult to change. So, if you have to choose, personality trumps ability for sure. In other words, you should be looking forward to spending similar amounts of time and have the same goals when it comes to perfecting your dance.
Make yourself a tad more attractive than your dance partner by grooming yourself neatly, wearing deodorant and clean clothes. It would be best to avoid eating garlic, onions or other strong-smelling food just before you go out dancing. Keep your body weight under control so that you don’t have to lean on your partner for support.
Hygiene and clothes might seem superficial to many. But I believe if a dancer is not willing to wear deodorant or clean clothes, or remain well groomed, it sends a clear message about what they think of themselves and the people they dance with.
You are going to be spending a lot of time together in close physical contact, so developing some sort of friendship is important. I got
married to my dance partner Jesse Randhawa after dancing with her for five years. Remember that romantic relationships between dance partners are common, but it is you who needs to decide ahead of time whether you are open to a romantic relationship with your dance partner or not. Politely make your position clear at the beginning and stand by it. Keeping clear boundaries right from the start will help keep both you and your partner from getting confused. After having changed over six dance partners in 25 years, I finally found my perfect dance partner in
Jesse. I hope my guidance will help you find the dance partner of your choice.