Odisha Girl Adds Sambalpuri Twist To Zumba Workout

Bhubaneswar: Workout has become funky with a Balangir girl adding Sambalpuri songs to Zumba, which is a craze among youngsters these days.

Monalisa Patnaik from Titilagarh in Balangir district is a Zumba enthusiast and also trainer in some fitness centres in Bhubaneswar. She has been training in Zumba workout since 2018 under Asutosh Pradhan.

Monalisa said she has been passionate about dance since her childhood and Zumba is the perfect mix for her. “Zumba workout combines workout with dance moves,” she said.

Speaking about her Sambalpuri twist to Zumba, Monalisa said, “For fun, I started using Sambalpuri songs in Zumba workout, which was appreciated by all. As a girl from Western Odisha, I have a weakness for Sambalpuri dance and song. I always try to combine Sambalpuri beats and folk music with Zumba workout. This is refreshing for my students as well. Otherwise, they feel bored of doing the same workout.”

She came from Titilagarh to Bhubaneswar to pursue her MSc in Agriculture at OUAT. “I am associated with ‘High on Zumba’ fitness centre. It was here that I started my career in teaching Zumba. At present, I am also associated as an instructor with several other institutions too,” she added.

“We also host online sessions for foreigners. We started these sessions during the lockdown. Initially, some people living outside Odisha and those staying abroad joined these online classes. Some foreigners also took interest. So, we are giving them training in different sessions. They are also enjoying Sambalpuri songs, though, they cannot understand it,” she said.

“We have students, across all age groups and they feel charged up while doing Zumba workout on Sambalpuri songs.

“My MSc is complete. I am applying for a job now. But, I will never neglect my passion of Zumba dance. I will continue it with my job. I want to promote Sambalpuri folk dance worldwide through Zumba workout,” Monalisa signed off.