Dance in the Monsoon: A Joyful Celebration of Rain and Movement |
When the rain comes pouring down, we don’t just watch — we join in. There’s a certain mischief in the monsoon, as if the skies are urging us to forget the world and play. And so, we dance — like we did as children, splashing through puddles, arms open wide, faces turned up to meet the rain. There’s magic in that moment — when the sky darkens, the air shifts, and the city holds its breath. The early romance of the monsoon is too fleeting to miss. So we did what the heart asked- put on our dancing shoes, stepped into the hush before the downpour, and let joy find its rhythm in the rain.
Contemporary Dancer Promita Karfa makes the most of the monsoons
Your kit to dance away in the rainReady to embrace the monsoon? Here’s your kit for a joyful twirl in the rain:
- Light, quick-dry outfit: Go for breathable clothes that won’t weigh you down and dry quickly. Comfort is key.
- Grippy shoes, or barefoot: Choose shoes with good traction for those slippery patches. Or skip the shoes altogether and feel the earth beneath your feet (carefully).
- Waterproof sunscreen: Even though it might be raining, never forget to put on broad-spectrum sunscreen when you step out.
- Don’t forget a hot drink: Brew your favourite warm beverage to sip on post dancing.
- Good vibes only: Bring along friends, who share your carefree spirit, and enjoy a fun
rain dance session.
‘When the rain leads, all we do is follow its rhythm’For these dancers, the monsoon is far more than just the rains; it’s an active participant in their art, a muse that inspires and a force that transforms. Tithi Das described it as: “A truly liberating experience… emotionally, it feels like a cathartic release, as though each raindrop washes away negativity and fills me with a fresh, relaxed vibe. It’s my time to let go and be myself.” For Promita Karfa, the rain becomes entwined with both memory and meaning: “The significance of rain became very powerful along with my spiritual process — it became that soul, body, mind cleansing process, where it helped me to understand what surrender really means and letting go towards that moment.” And for Udita Sarkar, the downpour awakened something deeply personal: “Dancing in the rain was therapeutic – my soul needed this. It was spontaneous and brought fluidity in my movements.” Together, they speak of rain as a companion that invites freedom, renewal, and joy.
Odissi Dancer Ananya Birbanshi poses amid Kolkata rains
What the dancers say:Dancing in the rain is liberating. Every movement seems to be in sync with the raindrops. It fills me with renewed hope. I feel like I’m one with nature, moving to its rhythm – Tithi Das, Odissi dancerThis shoot took me back to my childhood and made me feel alive. Nature plays a big part in my spiritual process. It helps me understand how to surrender to my instinct– Promita Karfa, contemporary dancerThe rain is just what my soul needed. Dancing in the rain was therapeutic and it made me wonder why I don’t let go and dance in the rain more often– Udita Sarkar, Bharatanatyam dancerDancing in the rain felt like overcoming challenges and accepting my inner self. It gave me the freedom to create beauty even in the chaos of the world
– Ananya Birbanshi , Odissi dancer
