Watch: How India’s Pole Artists Are Defying Myths With Strength, Grace

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of pole dance? Perhaps a risqué performance by an exotic dancer in a dimly lit club? Hush! Don’t let anyone know you’re there! However, this stereotype is far from the energy at the recent Pole Competition in Bengaluru, where the atmosphere was alive with excitement and roars of cheer. On March 9, dozens of performers from across India came together for the country’s first such event and showcased a breathtaking marriage of grace and agility. The competition was held by the Pole School India and Calisthenics Girls India, with support from Mirrors Studio, Bengaluru.

From emerging talents to seasoned professionals, the competition featured a diverse lineup of 23 participants, each bringing a unique flair to the pole. Some of the performers and organisers of the event spoke to SheThePeople about their journey with the art form and their experience at the event.

Community And Belonging

"Today was just Goddess vibes," expressed Nupur Chaudhuri, the founder of the Pole School India and one of the judges of the competition. In a conversation with SheThePeople, the pole instructor shared her experience at the vibrant event. "We had India's first pole competition today and the response has been great! We had 23 pole dancers from different parts of the country and the event had such a beautiful vibe, such great energy, and such a great community!" the Pune-based dancer and athlete shared. 

Fellow judge and pole instructor Becky Zoding shared why she wants the art form to grow in India. Speaking about the best thing the art form has given her, she said, "For me, the best thing about pole is empowerment for women and how it allows everyone to get out of their comfort zone and be themselves." Zoding started pole dancing about two years ago and is the founder of Mirrors Studio in Bengaluru.

Resonating with Zoding's message, Nehal Arya, the participant who took home the first prize in the 'Beginner' category, said, "The women in the pole community are very supportive and my instructor Becky is extremely encouraging. The moment I touched the pole for the first time I just knew I had found my calling." Arya has been pole dancing for about three months and has found a deep sense of belonging in the community.

Unraveling Preconceived Notions

Despite the numerous misconceptions around pole dancing, it is witnessing a growing presence in India. Several enthusiastic participants have turned to the art form for varied reasons, be it fitness, flexibility, or simply out of curiosity. Call it a dance or a sport, pole art stands out for its ability to captivate, empower, and inspire several individuals.

Madhura Deshmukh, a Pune-based pole dancer said that she has been in the art form for over two years. "Pole has given me a lot of self-confidence and also shot up my health. I used to be very skinny before, but with the pole, I have started to feel stronger than ever, not only physically but also mentally. Pole is like my meditation and therapy," she said.

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The first runner-up in the 'Intermediate' category, Teja Shah Mehta from Pune, touched upon the physical demands and technical intricacies of pole dancing. "'Pole' is such a sport of strength and flexibility so it has made me join other sports as well. I got into callisthenics because I wanted to become stronger, I started doing yoga so I could be more graceful on the pole. Being able to combine and execute these has truly built my confidence," she said. Mehta has been poling for over four years.

For Vishalini Kanna from Chennai, her two-year journey with pole dancing has been about aligning her mental health. "'Pole' has not only given me a good lifestyle but also mental peace," she said. Kanna won first place in the Intermediate category at the pole competition. For her, the art form is not only about personal growth but also about debunking myths.

Kanna stated that she wants the world to separate the pole art form from preconceptions and erotic connotations. "To those who think that pole dancing is only a 'sexual' art form, I would say please go and give it a try. To do a single move on the stainless steel pole is extremely difficult and requires a lot of strength and practice,' she said.

Emotional Growth With Pole

For many, pole dancing has been about embracing self-love. Vasundhra Verma from Delhi expressed that getting into the art form was a kickstart to her journey to finding self-confidence. "I have witnessed my body change so much in the last year and it's just amazing to see the wonderful things your body can do. Even though I have not been very consistent with it and faced some injuries, my progress lifts my spirits," she shared.

Verma has been a pole dancer-athlete for about a year, on and off, and was named the first runner-up in the Beginner category at the pole competition. "As people say, nothing comes easy but when it does come, it's the most amazing feeling ever. That is how I would describe my journey with pole dancing," she said.

While pole dance-sport is typically female-dominated, several men have taken a liking to the allure of the art form. One such performer, Dharmesh Dave, who got into pole dancing about five months ago, shared that it has been an essential part of his journey to physical and mental health, self-confidence, and self-expression.

"During my initial pole classes, I felt out of place in a studio full of women. I used to feel like 'Ew! Why do my legs look like that?', 'Will I be okay wearing just my trunks?', but then I learnt that everybody is just wearing what they are most comfortable in. It is these women in the pole community who have taught me that it's okay to have stretch marks and I have gained so much confident in myself," he said. 

Seasoned pole artist and instructor Nupur Chaudhuri expressed how the art form can uplift one's self-worth by helping one embrace their identity. She expressed, "There is no judgment and faults in pole dancing. It is a very safe space to be who you are because there isn't any one type of pole. One could love pole sport for fitness, while another could enjoy it as an exotic dance. Everyone can find themselves and be who they truly are. Pole helps you own your body and love it for what it's doing."