Eshan Hilal

Clad in an aesthetic flowy attire with a bolero and a distinctly Indian belly belt, Eshan Hilal raises his arms elegantly, a touch of kathak mudras evident in his movements. A change in beat, and his torso and hips acquire a life of their own. He shimmies and gyrates effortlessly, the tassels on his belly belt jiggling in sync. But what makes the performance heartwarming is the smile that refuses to leave Hilal's face. Being a male belly dancer in India is rare and to be accepted as one, the 25-year-old has had to fight opposition.