Saturday, October 31, 2015

Women bodybuilders

Breaking the ceiling….and how !
6th World Body Building Championship & Physique Sports  championship will be held from December 5th-9th, 2014 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, NESCO in Mumbai. The World Bodybuilding Championship will witness more than 400 national and international athletes from all over the world. This time around India will also witness Women Body Builders and Physique Athletes for the very first time.

Women bodybuilding is a fledgling sport compared to men's category in India. But things are beginning to look bright for the aspiring women bodybuilders as more opportunities are coming their way to showcase their talent. However, challenges remain for these women. On the eve of the upcoming international event the gritty women( some who made it and others who did not clear the elimination) talk exclusively to WE about their trials and tribulations.
Thirty-one-year old Leela Phad, from Kharegaon in Thane unfortunately did not clear the state trialsi. A fitness freak who played kabaddi in college and then did powerlifting for six years in state and national competitions she chose not to  pursue a comfortable job of a sales tax inspector even after passing her Maharashtra Public Service Commission exam as she did not want to shift focus from sports.

A single parent, Natasha Pradhan (31)  lives with her parents and wishes to ensure a brighter future for her daughter, hence is pursuing the sport competitively. Bodybuilding is not only a passion for her but also a means to prove that “Women can be better than Men”. She is a trainer by profession and is helped by her friend and personal trainer…. what inspired her more---being a single parent wanting the best for her child or proving that she was as good as a man?

“Both the factors are a driving force for me. I do not have any idol from the field of body building. After being a mother I realized I need to create my own identity. I saw it in my family and also in the society how men are always given more importance than women. I always believed that when boys are given opportunity, girls should also have equal opportunities. “

For Steffi D'Souza, who comes from a well-to-do family, bodybuilding is like carrying on her grandfather and former Mr  Bombay Tony D'Souza's legacy.Steffi is more into fitness physique where a women doesn't need to be bulky or muscular but works towards a well-sculpted and a good looking feminine physique. “ I feel proud of the fact that I belong to a family where fitness is inherited in our roots.People do ask me if I feel pressured that I have to carry my grandfather’s name , but for me its is a passion. Only a fit woman can survive physically and mentally”.



A mother of three, Mamta Devi was born in Imphal, Manipur.  A model during her college days, Mamta Devi lived a normal life until a falling out with her family forced her to leave their house. All happiness seemed to be missing from her life until her marriage and birth of her first child. In 2003, she moved to Delhi to help her husband, Borun Yumnam – who is a professional bodybuilder (having won Mr. India and Mr. Asia titles in the past). In 2011 she started training for bodybuilding under the guidance of her husband, soon transformed her physique and started participating in international bodybuilding competitions. Mamta Devi Yumnam is the first and only Indian to win a medal in the World body building championship, making the country proud in international platform.
“ Initially my only aim was to get six packs but then I started enjoying workouts. My husband has always inspired me to get into the field of bodybuilding. Right from the beginning he has been supportive and has stood by me. He takes care of my diet, workout schedule”.
.


“Being a mother of 3 young children and pursuing such a demanding  profession....
 is very difficult but since childhood it was my dream  to standout and be something really different among the crowd. I had tuned in my work -out timing in such a way that I could give enough time to my children when they are home.” 
After children the life and the body of a woman changes drastically and it has been difficult for me also. Personally I did not like the changes that Isaw in my body. I could not wear the clothes that I loved and desired. But as I mentioned earlier that I always had a aim for six- pack and then that helped me to get back in shape.My husband was a great support and The Indian Body Building Federation( IBBF) has been really supportive--they have helped me financially and always stood by me”

Shweta Rathore is a businesswoman, runs an NGO for underprivileged children and  has been a fitness enthusiast since her childhood. Being a girl it was difficult for her to convince her father. She had to sneak out from her home to attend gym sessions during her school days. Shweta is however very happy with the fact that today people who are passionate about fitness are getting a platform to display their craft.


BOX
81-going-on-18
The man behind the event is Madhukar Talwalkar( Chairman, Organising Committee)—short with a mop of thick grey hair and a glow on his face—he can often be seen chatting up youngsters. Having finished second in the Mr Bombay contest way back in 1958, he knows the ins and outs of the game. A textile engineer from the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), his academic training helped him design machines for his gym.
What is the main objective  of the championship? “The motive has always been to promote fitness all over India. I have practiced what I preach all my life. I consider exercise as my prayer [puja] and I do it regularly with a lot of dedication. Fitness is important for all and one should not neglect it.”
.
“I understand that today people are so  busy with their daily schedule that they do not pay attention to their body. But they need to know that exercise is a stress-buster.  When you have good health, your blood flows well, brain works better, and you are confident and happy. Lately the trend of six and eight pack have emerged which I feel is another fashion trend for the youngsters of our country, but at least this can be a motivating factor for them”

“ With changing times, things have indeed changed and the perception of the people is also gradually evolving. Initially bodybuilding was considered to be a male dominated sport but  now even women have started coming forward and are taking a lead in this. It is not that we do not have female bodybuilders, we actually have some really talented international athletes but the awareness about the sport and people in this field is lacking. I have believed that women can out- run men in any field and I am happy to see the overwhelming response we have in terms of participation from women this year.




The Golden Hour---A heartbeat away from life !

The Golden Hour---A heartbeat away from life !


In a path-breaking, carefully coordinated operation, spanninf across mumbai and Pune , doctors and cops  worked in tandem to ensure the retrieval, safe transfer and first ever successful heart transplant in the city.

“ As the seconds ticked we were reminded of the precious time we were losing.I felt my own heart was being moved to Mumbai”, said cardio-thoracic surgeon Dr. Sanjeev Jadhav who was part of the operation.
In a meticulously planned inter-city operation involving doctors and the police  the hear was was moved from Jehangir Hospital in Pune to  Fortis Hospital, Mumbai in 90 minutes !

The heart was recovered from a 42-year-old woman who was declared brain dead after she suffered an intra-cranial aneurysm. She had already pledged her organs for donation in the event of death which could five a new lease of life to 5 others including the 22-year-old who received her heart. The donor’s family described her as  an educated, kiind-hearted lady who loved classical music and good food. She had been undergoing treatment since July29 and was declared brain dead on August 2,  when Fortis made a request for her heart.



Dr. Jadhav recovered the heart from the deceased woman and accompanied it on an Air Deccan chartered flight to Mumbai the same day, carrying out the transplane the same  evening. Dr. Manisha Bobade ( CEO-medica; director) at Jehangir along with a team of doctors monitored the entire peration. “ Moving the heart from the Pune hospital  to Fortis in Mumbai took 90 minutes. We had coordinated with the Zonal Transplant Coorfination Committee and the traffic police who ensured that the ambulance carrying the heart reached the hospital in 7 minutes”.



Dr. K.R. Balakrishnan, director cardiac sciences at Fortis  Malar Chennai, who was flown in to conduct the surgery said, “ without the transplant, the 22-year-old Anwar Khan was looking at barely 2 weeks of life”. The cost of such transplantations usually goes over Rs. 25 lakh but the major problem is finding  a donor. The patient is recovering well, is off the ventilator and is able to talk and eat without help.




 Meanwhile a 29-year-old Vashi ( Navi Mumbai) resident successfully underwent the city’s second heart transplant which was retrieved from KNK Nair a 63-year- old scientist with BARC who was declared brain dead after a bike accident. While his hear and 1 kidney were donated to Fortis, the second kidney went to Mahim’s Hinduja Hospital, liver to Global Hospital (Parel) and eyes to Laxmi Eye bank.

Dr. Anvay Mulay chief of cardiac surgery, Fortis  says “ Organ donation saves lives and will boost the confidence of  patients, families and doctors. People should think of dying healthy so that their organs can save lives”.
After 2 major surgeries which were successful, Mumbai experts are hopeful that more people will be spurred to donate organs as well as instil confidence among Mumbaikars  to register for transplants locally.

Cervical Pregnancy

Cervical Pregnancy: Rare Surgery saves patient’s fertility



Transcatheter arterial embolization has become a major integral part in the treatment of cervical ectopic pregnancy. Around 16 such cases have been reported successfully so far worldwide and Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute is one of them which effectively helped in preserving the fertility of the patient by avoiding traditional approach of uterus removal. This will surely give a ray of hope to the woman of becoming a mother again.

A Cervical pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy that has implanted in the uterine endocervix.[1]Such a pregnancy typically aborts within the first trimester, however, if it is implanted closer to the uterine cavity - a so-called cervico-isthmic pregnancy - it may continue longer. Placental removal in a cervical pregnancy may result in major hemorrhage. The diagnosis is made in asymptomatic pregnant women either by inspection seeing a bluish discolored cervix or, more commonly, by obstetric ultrasonography. A typical non-specific symptom is vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Ultrasound will show the location of thegestational sac in the cervix, while the uterine cavity is "empty". Cervical pregnancy can be confused with a miscarriage when pregnancy tissue is passing through the cervix.

On a very rare occasion, a cervical pregnancy results in the birth of a live baby- typically the pregnancy is in the upper part of the cervical canal and manages to extend into the lower part of the uterine cavity.
Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to avoid serious complications such as severe hemorrhage and the need for hysterectomy. This is exactly what doctors from Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute  did and took an unconventional approach for preserving the fertility of a patient reported with a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. There are only 15 more such cases of Cervical Pregnancy reported across the globe in which uterus has been saved.


In such cases the foetal sac is formed in Cervix (the lower end of the uterus) and is associated with morbidity and disastrous effects on the future aspects of the patient’s fertility. The doctors shed down the traditional approach which suggests removal of the uterus and successfully treated the patient, keeping her hopes of becoming a mother alive.
Pregnant for a little over 5 weeks, Rashmi (28) came to OPD of Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute and reported  painless bleeding clots through vagina since a day. She also had an episode of similar spotting 3-4 days back too. She had no previous history of intrauterine procedures or devices, and no pelvic inflammatory disease.
“ The number  of cervical pregnancies is rising day by day, as the number  of  IVF  procedures, cesarean sections , IUCD insertion and pelvic inflammatory diseases    are increasing. but such a procedure of uterine artery embolization is underused  and  only 15 such cases of treatment  bilateral uterine artery embolization have been reported as far as our  knowledge is concerned”, says Dr. Ruby Sehra, HOD & Sr. Consultant (OBS & Gynae), Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute.

“  Her Beta-HCG  ( biochemical marker of pregnancy ,the rising values of which are suggestive of an ongoing live pregnancy) had gone up from 2700 to 5700 and ultrasound showed normal cardiac activity of the growing baby. On investigations, the team could see the foetal sac, nodes, cardiac activity all in the cervix.”

Speaking about the case Dr. Ruby said, “Ectopic pregnancy can occur anywhere away from the uterine cavity including fallopian tube (most common – 98%), ovary, abdomen, etc.  Ectopic pregnancy in the cervix, account for less than 1 per cent of all ectopic pregnancies. Diagnosis of cervical pregnancies also remains a challenge and is often delayed as it is often confused with faiiing spontaneous threatened abortion .High resolution ultrasound machine with coloured  doppler can only diagnose such kind of a rare cervical ectopic pregnancy. Moreover only a highly skilled radiologist with good clinical acumen can diagnose such a pregnancy.The massive blood clots often necessitate emergency removal of the uterus.”


Looking at the patient profile - young age, married a year back and first pregnancy; doctors decided to avoid  uterus removal and preserve the fertility of the patient. Dr. Ruby  was assisted by an expert team including Dr. Rupinder Singh Baweja, MD (Radiodiagnosis), DM (Neuroradiology),  opting for preservative therapeutic approach to safeguard patient’s fertility. Potential risks and alternatives methods were explained to the patient. Evacuation of cervix was performed under GA ( General Anaesthesia)with the help of an Interventional cardiology team performing bilateral uterine artery embolization so as to block the cervical branches.

Why is cervical pregnancy more risky in comparison with fallopian tube (most common – 98%), ovarian and abdominal pregnancy?

Cervical pregnancy is more risky in comparison with fallopian tube pregnancy as the embryo is implanted in the cervix which is highly vasculired organ and receives its bllod supply from both the uterine arteries via descending cervical branches .Any manipulation, that is evacuation of the pregnancy,can lead to massive haemorrhage  necessitating major surgical procedres such as laprotomy followed by internal iliac ligation and in 50 per cent of the cases the patient  may have to undergo emergency hysterectomy thus losing their fertility. “ Once this rare form of cervical ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed, the patient should be immediately referred to tertiary care hospital where all kinds of facilities such as blood bank, ICU CATHLAB,24 hour-gynaecology, surgical and an aesthesia teams are available.”

https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif
 “It was a herculean task to remove the fetus without harming the uterus with minimal blood loss. The post-operative recovery period was uneventful and the patient is in stable condition and we hope that she can carry a normal pregnancy soon”, added Dr. Ruby. 

Shreya Narayan

Bihari  belle Shreya Narayan is  the great grand-niece of the country’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Her father  is a lawyer and principal of a Law college, and her   mother was a History teacher, her  sister  has a Masters from London School of Economics. From Muzzafarnagar to Mumbai has been an arduous journey but in many ways an eye-opener for Shreya who made her mark as Mahuaa in Sahib. Biwi Aur Gangster, Tanu Weds Manu,Rockstar and most recently Super Nani…The outspoken and candid Shreya in a tete-a-tete…..



Considering your family is academically inclined, you must have faced hurdles …did acting happen by chance?

Acting happened as a quest to explore what I really wanted to do. I too was academically inclined, and indeed had only studied since childhood, and did not know if I was good at anything else. But I felt dissatisfied and inhibited. Theatre came as an outlet to get in touch with my feelings and also gave me a freedom to be any person I wanted to be with eclectic characters to play and explore. Suddenly a new world had opened to me, and I wanted to be a part of it!

The first few years are always a period of struggle for many aspirants—what kept you going?

Hope and belief and a whole lot of signs kept me going. I worked hard….and people, circumstances and life helped me. Whenever I felt I was done with things, something came along to tell me that I had to continue. Innumerable times, I felt disillusioned, defeated, foolish and useless….but those who believed in me kept my spirits up. I do not know if I should have kept on pursuing this very difficult path…but I did…and all I can say is that there were so many signs that I should.

Do you really think being a doctor/engineer…for that matter even an actress  is a life of roses?

Life can never be a bed of roses. Because we are not just our profession…we are a whole lot more. We are relationships, we are individuals, we are business partners, we are dreams…and last but not the least, we are mere humans, puppets in the hands of a higher force with no control over how life will pan out. When we say that a doctor or an engineer has a surer job than an actor, we as humans are just trying to exert a little bit control over our lives. But frankly, it comes to naught. Life is led as a human soul, and how easy our journeys would be depends solely on God’s plans.
But roses stand for life, beauty and thorns. So even on the worst days…. life with all its beauty and thorns is worth living!

You were well accepted in the South and got many offers. Many from Bollywood have actually made it big in South films, the money is good and the scene is more professional--Why did you not consider doing more films there?

I was new. I did not understand the language and did not know anyone in the South. I had merely taken auditions and gone to work. I was not happy working with the people I did. I understand that one has to find people with similar vision in order to enjoy the process of film-making…… I am open to working in the South, there are so many film-makers I admire. Alas, as a new-comer I did not know them so thought that better to be safe than sorry!

Sahib, Biwi  Aur Gangster ---was that a turning point for your career?
Yes, a girl like me who got work taking auditions….and we all know that lead roles do not come through auditions….well for me to get one of the leading roles in a Tigmanshu Dhulia film was a great achievement. That the film fared well only added to things.



Late Shammi Kapoor, Ranbir Japoor , Imtiaz Ali …Rockstar  won many awards, what were your experiences during the making of the film?

Well, working with Imtiaz gave me a peek into how he thinks. He is very democratic while directing a scene----he likes to know how each actor sees his character in a scene, or what does the actor intend to do, and then manoeuvers them towards his vision by smart and enlightening inputs. This is how we work in theatre and working with him was like going back to the roots. His special touch is the ability to bring humour or yet another layer in a very subtle manner to the original scene on paper.  Ranbir is an accommodating and generous co-actor. Unfortunately, I did not have any scenes with Shammi Kapoor.  



Tell us about Super Nani….your role, your interaction with Rekha  and any interesting anecdote.

Super Nani  is Rekhaji’s film. She plays the elder matriarch of the family whose husband and children do not give her the respect and attention she deserves. She then proves herself professionally at her age, thereby telling her family not to take her love and attention for granted. I played her loud-mouthed bahu who is useless around the house. She wants to become an actor and all her concentration is on that only…but the problem is that she cannot act…and thus hilarious situations arise out of her inability to act. I am the comedy queen in the film!
Super Nani was shot when I was not working on any other project. My mother was suffering from cancer, and we were mostly in hospitals. Rekhaji, as an elder, having lived and experienced a vast life, gave me perspective on what I was going through and how to understand life. She asked me to pray and have faith. These helped me.

Do you feel that having a *Godfather* / filmi  lineage helps making it in Bollywood?

Absolutely! Bollywood works on connections.

What are your forthcoming projects?

I am returning to work after a gap after my mother’s illness and subsequent passing away. I will start with Tigmanshu Dhulia’s film Yaraa.

Apart from films what are your interests?

I like to read. I like to think. I like to pray. And as life is showing me much…I like to write too.

You have mentioned  that “ men like you and want you, but at the end of the day, they don’t want to share you even with acting”…. You  seem to be fiercely independent…what kind of a man would you like in your life?

I feel men like to own things…cars, bikes, companies and wives. I want a partner who realizes that I am a human being first, and a gender much later. I have my own dreams and my own individual voice even as I have a lot of love to give and a life to share. To box another individual and set limits to their lives just because they are girls is to see them as commodities. I would not like that. I want a man who will know that if he partners a life with me it will be filled with love and loyalty. But he has to be my partner. I do not need to be stamped as someone’s wife and told how to be. My impeccable education and pedigree has taught me the best. He just needs to flow with me in love.

Jayaprada---From Rajahmundry to the Rajdhani

Jayaprada---From Rajahmundry to the Rajdhani



Born  Lalita Rani in a middle class household to Krishna and Neelavani in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh  this small town girl dreamt of becoming a doctor. Her mother enrolled her in dance and music classes when she was seven years old, in addition to going to a regular school. Her mother enrolled her in dance and music classes when she was 7 years old, in addition to going to a regular school. Even though, her father and uncle were film financiers, her initial break into films did not  come through them. She was discovered dancing on stage at a school function when she was just 14. Character actor Prabhakar Reddy gave her the name Jayaprada and introduced her in a three minute song in the Telugu film, "Bhoomi Kosam" (1976). 
In an exclusive tete-a-tete, the beautiful actress-politician, talks about her journey……



Four decades in cinema- from Bhoomi Kosam to Rajjo—it has been a long journey. Did you always want to be in films or would you have liked to be anything else?
In many ways I feel that my life is like my first film, Anthuleni Katha (1976). The character in the film is naive and trusting and has to go through a series of experiences to discover herself. My life has been like that too. Starting out as a small-town girl who wanted to be a doctor, I have come a full circle, doing things I never thought I could.
When  I was 14  and performing at school's annual function a  film director in the audience offered me  a three-minute dance number in the Telugu film Bhoomi Kosam. I  was hesitant, but my family encouraged  me to accept it. I  was paid only  Rs.10 for my work,but the rushes of those three minutes of film were shown to the major figures of the Telugu film industry and offers started coming. (Jaya Prada was highest paid Hindi actress from 1985-89 with Sridevi and 3rd highest paid Hindi actress with Rekha from 1990-92). 
In my  first Telugu film, Anthuleni Katha (1976)the famed director K. Balachander slapped co-star Kamal Haasan right in front of me  for muffing up a scene. I was scared and ran away from the set crying.  I gained a lot of knowledge in acting from K. Balachander and K. Vishwanath.

Over the years you have worked with some of the best directors in  the Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam film industry—was the transition to Hindi difficult? How did you overcome the language barrier?
Initially there were some difficulties but I learned the language and got a lot of help from my co-stars like Jeetendra and Amitabhji. I kept a tutor who rehearsed my lines. I was keen to do my own dubbing. I would get up at 5 am, take my Hindi class and then leave for my shoot. I would again work on my diction at night.

Your very first Hindi film- Sargam(1976)- was opposite Rishi Kapoor who has maximum films with newcomers—what do you recall most about the film and your co-star?
I was already an established star in the South having done films with NT Rama Rao, Shobhan Babu, Mamooty,Kamal Hassan and Rajnikanth. Also Sargam ( in which I portrayed the role of a mute dancer was a remake of my Telugu film Siri Siri Muvva (1978). I observed mute students closely in preparation for the role. The film opposite Rishi Kapoor was a resounding success and he was great to work with.





Your most successful Hindi films have been with Jeetendra and Amitabh Bachchan—what kind of a rapport do you share with them ?
I share a great personal and professional rapport with both Jeetendra and Amitabhji. I was paired romantically with Jeetendra Jeetendra  in 25 films and 19 of them were box office hits. Whenever I needed advice  I could always bank on Jeetuji for support and guidance. From Amitabhji, I learned the qualities of humility and punctuality.
If the  shoot was at 10 a.m he would report on the dot .I used to often jokingly tell him to come a little late as  women need more time to do their make-up and get ready . He is a wonderful actor and  human being.

Sridevi also entered Hindi films in the mid-seventies and both of you starred in over a dozen hits—what was it like working with her?
Contrary to what people think, there was no rivalry between me and Sridevi. Our films together clicked at the box-office and we were very professional.

Why did you decide to enter politics?
I joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1994 at the invitation of  N. T. Rama Rao, on the eve of the assembly elections, and rose quickly through the ranks. At that time there was speculation that I would run for election, but  I preferred not to make  my electoral debut, although  I  was offered a seat by Rao.

On her pairing up with Super-star Rajesh Khanna in Dil-E-Nadaan (1982).. It was my first film opposite the Superstar. I was very nervous on the sets,but he made me feel comfortable and corrected my lines. We shared a comfortable rapport which was apparent on the screen. Rajeshji was a unique and sensitive artiste. I learn a lot by carefully observing his skills.I did 5 successful movies with Rajesh Khanna sahab.

What would you say are your major achievements in the political arena over 20 years? What are the changes you would like to see in the role of women in politics?
I have been working over the years to provide women with education and  also giving vocational training so that they can be financially independent. I have founded theJaya Prada Charitable Trust, Jaya Prada Education Society and Nishtha Foundation, which has been actively involved in the field of providing professional education like nursing and school training courses. 
The Jaya Prada Charitable Trust also runs the Neelaveni Krishna ( named after my parents) School of Nursing in Rampur. 
I also feel very strongly about the issue of womns’ safety not only in the large cities but also in rural areas.


Recently honoured with a doctorate by the Desh Bhagat University ( Punjab), do you feel that rural women are becoming more aware of the importance of  formal education?
I feel very honoured and it’s a great feeling to be recognised for your contribution.

Tell us about your comeback film in Malayalam and other projects you are working on.
Yes I am doing a film Nimisham with Mamooty. I am also doing a film with Sanjay Sharma--a paranormal thriller in which I  play a modern-day queen.
My character Rani Sahiba is glamorous with grey shades. People's expectations have changed and youngsters today are looking for different stories. I have never played such a character, hence doing this film is a really brave decision. And I trust my director Sanjay Sharma.
The yet untitled film will be shot in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Nepal. 
Satyajit Ray once said ‘you were the most beautiful  face on the Indian screen —did you ever meet him  and do you regret  not having the opportunity to work with him?
I cherish the compliment  and met him once at the inauguration of a film festival.There was  some  talk about doing a film but because of his failing health that dream was never fulfilled. I  attended his tribute for the release of the book, "The Vision of Ray: Cine Posters & Beyond" (2005) with Sharmila Tagore and Jaya Bhaduri, the two stars that Ray discovered.

You are an excepionally beautiful dancer--- do you find the time to practice and what are your other interests?
I do  give performances but not as often as I would like to. I did  Amrapali creating the time and story of the fiery Amrapali through a ballet choreographed by Bhushan Lakandri with music and lyrics by Ravindra Jain. I am also very fond of music and would like to learn semi-classical..I dabbled in playback a bit and even recorded an album with music composer Bappi Lahiri

The South has given the Hindi industry top talents—from Padmini, Waheeda Rehman,Vyjaintimala,Rekha,Sridevi to yourself--- what is the one defining factor and edge  you all had over your northern rivals?
Undoubtedly…all very beautiful, exceptional dancers and versatile actors !