WATCH: Akira Bipatram is a dancing queen in training

For Akira Bipatram dancing is more than a pastime; it is a form of expression which allows her to voice her views of the world to the rhythm of the music.

“I have been dancing since I was four years old. I just took a liking to it as a child and have never stopped,” explained the 17-year-old.

Through the art of dancing, Akira learned to express herself within the comfort of her culture.

“Dance is a very important part of my culture, because it allows you to express yourself about things you would not be able to say.”

Furthermore, she said it has taught her more about herself as a person and given her the courage to tackle everyday life.

“Dancing is my passion, it gives me a sense of liberation and a lot of confidence.”

Over the years, she has performed at both school and private functions, which in turn had allowed her the opportunity to dance with international stars.

On December 3, 2016, a Bollywood extravaganza was hosted in Newcastle.

On the night, Neeraj Shridhar of Bombay Vikings and his lead female singer, Gorisha, sang their hearts out, engaging wonderfully with the audience throughout their performances.

While Shridhar was one of the highlights, local dancers were auditioned prior to the event to form part of the entertainment. Akira was one of the dancers who had the opportunity to dance.

“It would not have been possible without Roshni Naicker of Dreamz24, who saw me at a school event and encouraged me to dance at the show.”

It was one of the highlights of her dancing career, and Akira was left more determined than ever to pursue her dream.

“After school I intend to study psychology and get a Bachelor Degree in Arts and Culture.”

From there, she would like to take her dancing even further and eventually open a dance school in Johannesburg.

With her goals set, Akira encouraged others to dance, as it offered a world of freedom and healthy living.

“I believe in ABCD, which stands for ‘anybody can dance’,” she concluded.