Bgirl SunSun Interview
My name is Sunanda Biswas aka ‘Bgirl SunSun’.
I am a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer but have also done MCing, acting and singing roles over the years. I also trained as a competitive gymnast from the age of 8 and went on to compete for Britain.
When did you start getting involved with breakdancing?
I started breaking properly in 1998, but had grown up in the 80’s when hiphop reached the UK so always tried it in some ways as I was growing up. When the music changed in the mid to late 80’s, breaking faded out of the media spotlight and then resurged in a big way in the mid 90’s, so I really got into the social scene of it by then.
Any career highlights, aside from this interview?
Yes! I was lucky enough to meet some of the greats in Hiphop Culture - mostly OGs from America and have learned a lot from them. I performed with some of the original lockers and electric boogaloos at Breaking Convention 2010 as a tribute to an original locker - Greg Cambellock Jnr. I also had the honour of co-choreographing the NHS section of the London 2012 opening ceremony working alongside Danny Boyle.
What made you want to start teaching breakdance?
I actually starting teaching by accident at a session at Urdang Academy in Covent Garden. I was asked to help a group of ladies that wanted to learn some new tricks and it just turned into a big class where beginners and breakers came together to practice the craft. I had already been teaching dance for 10 years but this was a new skill that I had and I developed it as I did it more.
What does breakdance mean to you?
Breaking to me is more than a dance: it’s a culture, a social context and a history that we must not forget the roots of. It’s the first dance of hiphop so very important in hiphop culture.
What are the benefits of breakdancing?
It’s a great way of expressing yourself, keeps you fit, builds your confidence and a brilliant way of letting your aggression out when you need to. It also brings many different, diverse, people and generations together who would otherwise not really would come together in the same place, so a very social activity.
Do you practise any other style of dancing?
Yes, I have trained at college years ago where I learned a lot of different styles such as ballet, contemporary and MattMattox jazz but then when I left college I met Temujin Gill who I have worked with ever since and he trained me all the styles of ‘traditional vernacular American Jazz’ such as lindy hop, tap, Charleston, trad jazz & blues. I also got to train locking & popping with some of the original dancers of that era.
What’s your favourite song to listen to while dancing?
I love all music but I would have to say most James Brown songs just make me want to dance hard!!
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell myself to not hold back and go for everything I want as much as possible, to show my skills more and be brave. Also not to listen to people that are negative and put you down but instead be proud of who you are and go for it!
Feeling inspired?
Join her breakdancing sessions in the community centre, Thursday evenings 7-9.30pm, £5.
