Playing fire over water

To collect donations and funds for the flood victims, on August 12, Naur, the group of fire spinners in Dhaka, displayed a spectacular show of fire spins and dances. This function was held for the first time in the country on a large scale. In the course of the event, sponsored by Citycell, about 30 spinners consisting of young men and women showcased enormous strength and creativity while spinning balls and sticks of fire.

The show began with an appetiser of Ajob, an upcoming band performing folk fusion numbers and compositions. However, right after Labeek, the vocal began with his mix of Khanchar bhetor achin pankhi, it started to rain which put the band off, to everyone's disappointment. Once the rain subsided, Naur exhibited their skills and talents of taming the fire and playing with it. The stage was surrounded with poles lit with fire, which were used to light up the spinners' equipment for the show.

The spinners, attired in red and orange coloured t-shirts and gamcha styled bandanas, seemed to depict realism in their fire filled actions. They jumped over the fire and seemed to stop the fire from licking their bodies while doing it. At one point, a girl and a boy seemed to swallow the fire. The fire-spinners sometimes reflected on sensuality and flexibility while twisting their bodies out of the way of the fire.

In the course of a conversation with Supantho (a graduate from North South University and also one of the senior most fire spinners)he said that Naur was planning to organise and fund the whole event themselves. 'It was just the day before, when Citycell offered to sponsor the event, and we readily agreed to the idea,' he said. According to some younger spinners, Naur tamed fire for fun and the alluring excitement that it involves. 'Many in the group are working. We even have a doctor or two amongst the spinners!' they quipped.

The fire spinners took a break in the middle, while volunteers went around with tins and containers collecting money from the audience for the flood victims. Naur had the awestruck audience dancing to their feet while spinning on popular numbers like Krishno from Habib, Jon Bon Jovi's It's my life, Maya from Habib, Punjabi mixes and many others.

Dhanmondi was definitely lit in yellows, red and oranges for an hour or two that evening. Maybe, one day the innate talents of these youth will be promoted through such splendid fiery performances.