This is a real spirited performance. What’s especially touching about this piece is that almost all the performers in this group are daily wage brick kiln workers, from Berhampur, Orissa.  Typically Indian daily wage workers live on anywhere between 40 Rupees to 60 Rupees a day, according to the Indian govt. stats in 2003-2004. (Roughly earning somewhere between 82 cents – $1.25 a day), with men earning more than women and children for the same job.

The physically challenged performers put up a great show too, and the choreography and the choice of music and appearance is quite good from the limited knowledge I’ve about Indian talent shows. Some very touching statements from Shekar Kapur and Kiron Kher. This is the semi-final performance of the group who went on to win the finals of the competition. An excerpt from the blog of the  judge of this show, and award winning film maker, Shekar Kapur:

But I think the Prince Dance group had won the hearts of the Indian people even before the finals. There was something so emotional and completely Indian about their acts, but on par with the best international traditions of modern group choreography that made us all proud to be Indian. And to know that some of the participants of this group were brick kiln laborers, who normally come to our attention more because we read stories about how this class is completely exploited by the Kiln owners, and earn bare subsistence wages.

And here’s the performance:

Their performance for the final is below, another visual extravaganza and the first few steps may remind you of Britain’s Got Talent’s winning act – Diversity.

Another act that was truly exceptional is, the dancing duo from Bangalore – Sneha and Richard.

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