Old folk can still dance

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I was thinking about the fact that, as an over 30, I am now officially old. I mean, James Bond is now a 30-something, which makes this the first time in my life that I have been in the same decade as a Bond actor.

However, between popping arthritis medicine and obsessing about the fact that I have to settle down before it’s too late, I remembered something. Old folk can still dance. I don’t just mean gorgeous professional dancers like DesiDancer, I mean ordinary uncles and aunties. I’m not saying that they can grind, freak or krump (although I’ll bet DD can krump like a clown) I mean that they can dance which is to me a far more beautiful thing.

Herewith, exhibit A [via Vinod], Gurdas Maan’s Babe Bhangra Pounde Ne:

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If I can dance like that, when I’m that age, I’ll be a happy man.

118 thoughts on “Old folk can still dance”

  5. Are you saying I’m old, ennis? I know I’m outside of Abhi’s 18-30 checkbox, but there’s no need to be mean! 😉

    Honey, you’ll always stay the age you were the day we first met 😉

    That, and you’ll also always be younger than me.

    I notice you took the fifth concerning telling the kiddies about your krumping abilities.

  6. Yes, isn’t that what he normally sings in?

    sorry, never heard of this singer before. I was just guessing Punjabi b/c of all the Sikhs in the video and the bhangra beat.

  7. No worries, I was just confused 🙂 I can’t think of a song he’s done in Hindi, although I’m sure they exist. He is pretty popular, yaar! Maybe this is my Punjabi-centric attitude shining through, though.

  8. Maybe this is my Punjabi-centric attitude shining through, though.

    That’s ok, i tend to be hindi/urdu-centric myself. 😉

  9. He’s singing in traditional punjabi. “Babey Bhangra Poundhey ne” = “The Old Men are Even Dancing”

  11. I would love to see DDs krumping abilities. Maybe you’ll see me doin some Harlem shaking..or is that out now?

    mm..Chicken noodle?

  12. I would love to see DDs krumping abilities. Maybe you’ll see me doin some Harlem shaking..or is that out now?

    Not entirely, unless you are doing it on its own. If you can integrate it into a krump routine.. woooooooo, you’ll be in business 🙂

  13. Not to get OT (this post is about dancing, and since Jeet mentioned weddings…), but has anyone ever been to a Pakistani wedding (here, there, or anywhere) where there’s dancing, even at the reception? Is there such an animal?

  14. has anyone ever been to a Pakistani wedding (here, there, or anywhere) where there’s dancing, even at the reception? Is there such an animal?

    Yes, and yes. But they were all Punjabi Pakistani. Do I notice a trend here? Why, what kind of weddings have you been going to?

  15. I notice you took the fifth concerning telling the kiddies about your krumping abilities.

    that’s because krumping and clowning are different styles, dear. but to answer your question, I can bring it.

  17. I will have to educate myself about Krumping later in the evening. Wikipedia got a good link. Home, here I cometh 🙂

  18. Yes, and yes. But they were all Punjabi Pakistani. Do I notice a trend here? Why, what kind of weddings have you been going to?

    Apparently not the fun ones like you. The few that I’ve been to ranged from a complete separation of genders during the entire event, including reception, to more mild ones, but still, the most “festive” thing I saw was the stealing of the groom-to-be’s shoes during the “thinga-ma-bob” (maybe mehndhi?) the night before the wedding.

    I’d say that’s probably one of my biggest complaints about my “heritage.” There’s really no form of festive expression – like something out of ‘Footloose’. That’s why I’ve always admired the Indian (that’s what I primarily saw, and even that’s “stretching it”) community while growing up because they engaged in all these forms of dance, whether it was during Diwali, Holi, or other times which I can’t remember and infrequently attended. Even comparing the muslim families I know from India versus those from Pakistan, I see the Indian ones being much more relaxed and engaging in dance and other fun activities.

  20. the most “festive” thing I saw was the stealing of the groom-to-be’s shoes during the “thinga-ma-bob” (maybe mehndhi?) the night before the wedding.

    During the shagan, or the sangeet?

    That’s why I’ve always admired the Indian (that’s what I primarily saw, and even that’s “stretching it”) community while growing up because they engaged in all these forms of dance, whether it was during Diwali, Holi, or other times which I can’t remember and infrequently attended. Even comparing the muslim families I know from India versus those from Pakistan, I see the Indian ones being much more relaxed and engaging in dance and other fun activities.

    I have no basis for comment on that, but I think it’s important to remember that Diwali and Holi, etc., are not holidays for all the different religious groups in India. It’s not really abnormal to see that folks may find it more perplexing or be more stand-offish.

    Also, I should correct my statement, I’ve been to Pakistani-American weddings, all held in the U.S. with 2nd geners. Maybe that explains the dancing 🙂

  22. How can i put this subtly?… hollerrr

    Hey – show some respect! That’s a married woman you’re holla-ing at. You should be calling her Auntie DD! Kids these days, no manners. Well, at least one of our readers had the good sense to get married before they got old …

    😉

  24. The fact that there are real Sardars doing bhangra in a punjabi music video is much more surprising than the fact that old men can dance =)

  26. Also, I should correct my statement, I’ve been to Pakistani-American weddings, all held in the U.S. with 2nd geners. Maybe that explains the dancing 🙂

    yep, these were all 2nd gen Pak-Am weddings. Oh, and according to my familial conctact on these things, it was the mehndhi I was previously referring to. Perhaps those originating in the north of Pakistan were perhaps more conducive of these “fun” activities (as far as Pakistan goes).

  27. Hey – show some respect! That’s a married woman you’re holla-ing at. You should be calling her Auntie DD! Kids these days, no manners.

    DD…and auntie?? ouch then it should be really easy dance-off…me being more young & flexible and all 😉

    Well, at least one of our readers had the good sense to get married before they got old …;)

    everybody on SM is complainin about not settling down with their biological clock ticking. Whats going on? may be its the festive season??

  28. everybody on SM is complainin about not settling down with their biological clock ticking. Whats going on? may be its the festive season??

    One of the readers said that was a common theme, I’d never noticed it, but I thought anything to make our readers happy …

  29. You should be calling her Auntie DD! Kids these days, no manners.

    hmm…”yo Auntie Double-D!” I’m not sure if that’s any more respectful!

  32. I think the movement is absolutely necessary for old punjabi men. Otherwise all of the cholesterol from their diet of naan and ghee would solidify and kill them.

  35. I turned thirty this year. I have seen old people grow older and I have seen little kids grow into their teens. Only people i haven’t seen grow/change with age are my childhood and college friends. I am sure my friends have changed too but I don’t see it. Do other people of my age or of any age feel the same?

  36. pack a lunch, jeet, pack a lunch.
    I’ll bring the ice, ibuprofen, and a wheelchair … Sigh.

    aww poor aunty DD needs some backin from uncle ennis…just beautiful i say

  37. Do other people of my age or of any age feel the same?

    I’m sad to say that I’m in your age bracket and feel the same – everyone below and above is changing a lot faster than “my group”. The one way I’ve seen my friends change is their need to procreate. These same people who were doing some rather foolish things just a few years ago (and some still do) and are now responsible for the total lives of others. Plus, a lot of them also changed in width and depth, but I’m sure you weren’t quite referring to “dimensional” change.

    Also just a warning, but the life “warranty” expires at 30, so prepare for some system breakage.

  38. Excellent: a post about being old, arthritis and dancing.

    Hey Ennis: can you dance like that at this age? (Kidding, yaaar)

    Body dysmorphia gets weird for some as we age. Although my parents go to the gym, lift weights, eat right, etc. sometimes they break out with an physical age myth that is a cover for something else and it’s simply bonkers. Sometimes the age myth is a passport that allows them to do as they damn please; sometimes its the way they signify themselves; sometimes it’s a mask of self-loathing.

    Backstory: did I mention that my grandmother tells me she’s dying everytime we speak and then I hear that she’s walking her tiny self at a very slow pace around her neighborhood. So what if the seasons are changing around her. She’s out and about. Chatting with neighbors, commenting on landscaping, getting out there, and obviously and gloriously not dying. But she needs to think she is. In fact, she gets quite indignant if any one of us suggest that she’s doing well.

    According to her, she eats like a bird (nope) can barely see (reads a few non large print books a week) and doesn’t enjoy life much anymore (has loud arguments with Plasma O’Reilly almost daily and tivos other folk to shout at as it suits her; tells jokes; enjoys a bailey’s on ice every now and again; always pulls a chair into a kitchen to orchestrate and advise the goings on; laughs the loudest of us all except when some us have been drinking and please don’t get her started on a debate. Loud. Very loud.)

    People, she’s lively. But she needs to be on death’s door.

    Same with my folks. My parents can work a full week, go to cultural events and shop on the weekend, throw a few dinners a month, easy peasy. But let me invite them to something that they don’t especially want to do–suddenly I hear “we’re not that young anymore.” This happens at night when my dad suddenly can’t see subtitles but has laser vision for karaoke lyrics which he won’t sing but will correct you as you try to. Or my mother, when I asked her to go on a hike. In her back yard. That happened to be a nature preserve. Her response: “It’s too far a distance to walk to get to the hike only to have to walk again. I’m not young as I once was.” (*Real reason: she doesn’t like dirt, bugs or being in nature all that much.)

    This bit is the saddest: my mother who looks in the mirror and says she can’t stand to see herself anymore. This breaks my heart. Ma is a stately, deeply attractive woman with Indira Ghandhi hair (or Cruella DeVille, you choose) who could be French for her knack for scarves, her elan, and her style. But when she looks in the mirror she wants to see something else. And while she’s busy mourning that loss, she’s blind to her present self.

    My parents have health concerns, to be sure. But they are very, very, very lucky for their health and ability to be active. So why do they decry it so?

    To what degree to we age ourselves, I wonder? And for what purpose?

  41. People. Being Pakistani and having attended about a dozen weddings in the last week alone, I’ve got to say, if you’re not seeing dancing, I’m severely confused (and somewhat worried). We don’t dance at each and every occasion, given that desi shaadis can run a fortnight or more, but there’s normally dancing going on during the maayoun, the mehndi and occasionally the main wedding reception, both pre- and post-the joota chuppai. In fact, during my lifetime’s experience of weddings (and there have been many, I assure you), there’s almost always been dancing unless the family’s super-religious and in that case, the wedding only really takes about 13-odd minutes. It’s not just Punjabi though–the Sindhis are wicked on the dance floor, and the Kashmiris will put Swan Lake to shame. The Balochis make up in enthusiasm what they lack in form, and quite frankly I’ve been too distracted getting it on with one or two of the Pathan groom’s side men to notice the dance sequences (or lack thereof) during the NWFP weddings. I’m not sure if this is a “class” thing or not, but I can definitely attest to much shaking of many bon-bons. If anything though, I find that the northern Pakistani weddings, if you’re referring to the “traditional” north as in the NWFP etc., tend to to be more conservative than the ceremonies held in other parts of the country. That’s just my experience though, and it’s definitely coloured by the hot factor of the Pathan men.

  42. hey, i didnt know you were an auntie until Ennis mentioned. dont bring me mum into this..yo granma is an auntie!

  43. Because seriously, the Pathans are smoking. The Kashmiris and Punjabis are pretty hot too, but that whole “wild man of the frontier” thing I build up in my head wins out each and every damn’ time.

  48. yet uncle-bhangra is hard– it requires a lot of cardio stamina, and in order to look that light on your feet takes a lot of control. Props to the uncles!

  49. yet uncle-bhangra is hard– it requires a lot of cardio stamina

    well said DD, when my doctor tells me to do some cardio, I say to myself, hmmm time to go bhangra partyin!

  50. I might be shoving my foot in my mouth with this one, but whatev…

    everybody on SM is complainin about not settling down with their biological clock ticking. Whats going on? may be its the festive season??
    One of the readers said that was a common theme, I’d never noticed it, but I thought anything to make our readers happy …

    Doesn’t make me happy. All this ageism is making me anxious about growing up!

    First of all, 30 doesn’t make you old (nor does 40, in my opinion). And second, older people who own their age totally rock this 21-year-old’s knickers off. Ennis, I’m not picking on you or anyone in particular, as I hear people say stuff like this all the time, so please don’t take my thoughts personally:

    Am I the only one that thinks it’s really unattractive when 30+ people express insecurity about their age (even if they’re just joking), and really – like, seriously – sexy when they rock their age because they’re perfectly fine with it?

    Also, am I the only one who finds sexually-charged validation of older people’s looks and abilities really cheesy? I hope DesiDancer doesn’t mind me using her as an example, esp since I might be blowing things out of proportion… DD is always a good sport when she’s put on the spotlight, and I know the dudes that kid around with her have only the sweetest of intentions. I just worry that it subliminally reinforces an elitist standard on how we see and judge each other as we grow older. DD is gorgeous because she’s gorgeous and talented because she’s talented – not because she’s 30+ and “still looks good” or can “still shake it”. To imply that looking and being good after 30 means acting like you’re not is a little sad…

    In case I’m being unclear about my idea of a “sexy” older person, I’m not talking about resigning to old fogey-dom or “acting young” – whatever that means – I’m talking about older people making aging sexy because they age with grace, dignity and passion for their convictions, and don’t judge themselves according to the number. I consider DD to be of that third stock – she even adds humor for good measure, and that’s always appreciated 🙂 And lastly, if my idea seems impractical for real life, I should mention that your role (positions, responsibilities, obligations, etc) at any point in life is not the same as your age; one can disregard age without disregarding his/her proper role.

    … sigh maybe I have an AILF/UILF(??) fetish or something, but I think all this worry about age is really unnecessary.

    And now how to help Ennis get his groove back…