Perhaps it is MTV or the Latin-fever explosion, but the popularity of Salsa dancing in Kathmandu proves it's a global village after all. Most dances are art forms but rarely do art, expression, energy and community combine in a form as alluring as "La Salsa".

The scintillating rhythm and movement of Salsa has been bringing people together for nearly a century. The early part of the 20th century saw a large migration from Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba and other parts of Central and South America to the north, mostly to New York City. For decades Latin styles of music and dance mingled until the 1970s saw Salsa go global. Who would have thought it would come as far as a little landlocked mountain kingdom in the Himalaya?

Five years ago Salsa was introduced to Kathmandu through German dance master Andreas Lehrke. Today his classes have quite a following: a steady stream of over-30s crowd his Natraj Dance Studio where he teaches beginners, intermediate and advanced groups. "Salsa is expressing vitality, energy, joy of life and feeling good in your own body while dancing with a partner," says Andreas. Though his specialty is Tango, ballroom and Latin ballroom dances, Andreas loves the Salsa because is more fun oriented. "The most important thing is that everyone has a good time," he says.

At the core of Salsa is an uninhibited zest for life. Anyone who has truly felt Salsa will know it is as much about breaking internal barriers as it is about dissolving external differences. The exhilaration is far more than just a song and dance. "It unites people who have different beliefs and backgrounds. Whatever the problem, after a dance you come through with more spirit to overcome any adversity-that's the magic of Salsa," marvels Diego S?enz (pic, left), a 43-year young Ecuadorian who has been teaching dance here for six months. A former marine biologist-"The field's temporary loss is our gain," quips a student-Diego is committed to bringing about a Salsa revolution to the Valley. His students, mostly Nepalis with a sprinkle of expatriates, are spellbound as he demonstrates romantic combinations leading his partner through a series of turns ending with a graceful dip.

"Nepal has a culture of dance so it wasn't very difficult to persuade people to try Salsa," he says. Diego prefers to dance and teach the New York style, which is similar to the Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian Salsa he grew up on. He feels a deep sense of responsibility in presenting his culture through the medium of dance and he takes his classes very seriously. "A teacher's mistakes can last forever," he says. Having trained and conducted workshops with some of the best dancers, Diego's determination is reflected in his professionalism. After a year of classes, Diego guarantees, "Any person dancing here with me can go to Latin America and dance like they belong.like a true Salsero."

The latest arrival on the Valley Salsa scene is Kaytee Namgyal, a fiery Sikkimese Salsero based in Delhi. A dance guru who is in high demand as a DJ and teacher to the hoi polloi in the Indian capital, Kaytee got hooked on to the dance while in Japan. He has choreographed stage performances throughout the sub-continent. His classes in the Valley are short, intensive sessions, serving as an introduction to Salsa. Merging various styles of the genre, the sessions culminate in a feverish night of Salsa dancing at the Hyatt where the glasses steam up with all the floor activity.

From the look of things, the Salsa revolution is definitely here to stay. A Salsero, waiting to be unshackled from the imagined terror of two left feet, may be hiding inside you. There's nothing to lose and a whole world of dance to discover. Let's Salsa!