Indian classical dancer Quincy Kendall Charles has travelled a long way from his home at Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, India, to perform at Divali Nagar 2012 on November 5 and 12. But performance wasn't the only thing that brought him to T&T. Charles is a son of the soil and wants to give back to his homeland.
Born in rural Mayaro, he says he had a love affair with Indian dance ever since he could remember. Coming from a family that shares a mixed ethnic heritage and growing up in a community with a blend of local cultures, Charles says Indian dance was not new to him.
His early introduction to Indian film dance was under the tutelage of local dancer Michael Salickram. It was during that time he says he felt a divine calling to explore a higher form of dance and began an eight-month dance course under Kathak teacher Susan Mohip, of the Sangeet Mahividyalaya.
Charles eventually left T&T and graduated with first class honours from the New Delhi, India-based Kathak Kendra under the guidance of Pundit Guru Jai Kishan Maharaj, whom he promised he would dance until he dies. He has also trained with Pundit Birju Maharaj, Jayashree Achayra, Saraswati Sen, Shankar Ray and Sushmita Gosh. He has performed at several venues in Europe and the UK, including the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, London.
Charles now runs the Black Diamond International Dance Company.
He says he is convinced T&T has a lot to offer and could prove itself a shining example of what the world seeks to achieve when it comes to harmony and unity.