Bhangra and folk too - Michelle vows Indian audiences

MUMBAI - She did some bhangra and joined in for a Koli folk dance. Quick to catch up on steps and looking as graceful as ever, US First Lady Michelle Obama’s dance skills have surely bowled over Indian audiences.

Bringing a touch of compassion to the entire Obama trip that began Saturday and will end Tuesday, Michelle Saturday met differently-abled children at the Mumbai university library, interacted and even did a jig with them.

Much to the pleasure of the kids, Michelle danced with them to the tunes of Bollywood song “Rang De Basanti”. She imitated their moves and did a few bhangra steps with complete ease and seemed to be having a lot of fun.

On Sunday, when the president and the first lady met students of the Holy Name School, Michelle was nudged by the kids to join them on the dance floor. The children had performed the Koli dance, the folk dance of Maharashtra’s fishing community.

Tapping her feet right through the performance, she looked mighty pleased to join in. She matched her movements, step to step, with the dancers - complete with some hip shaking and graceful hand movements.

She was then joined by Barack Obama who also shook a leg with the kids to the Marathi folk tune.

The couple’s spontaneity, especially Michelle’s, was received with loud applause by the audience.

Obama reached Mumbai Saturday and will head to New Delhi Sunday afternoon. He will leave for Indonesia early Tuesday.