In honour of Michael Jackson

A dance competition to honour Prabhudheva’s treasured memorabilia — Michael Jackson’s hat — has been announced recently. Titled MJ Cup 2017, a brainchild of dance master-actor Nagendra Prasad, (the younger brother of Prabhudheva), the dance contest is set to be held across several cities. The King of Pop’s hat was presented to Prabhudheva by MJ during one of their meetings. Nagendra Prasad talks to DC about his new passionate venture and much more.

“Irrespective of whether one is a dancer or not, Michael Jackson, the legendary pop singer, dancer, and song writer, is loved by all. Thus making him a global figure. MJ was also considered a global fashion icon and anything he sported became a trend worldwide. Imagine how fortunate my brother Prabhudheva was, to receive a hat from the iconic music sensation  during one of his meetings a few years back. Though my brother keeps it as his biggest treasure, he gifted it to me, since I was in awe when I saw it,” says Naga, who runs MSM Dance School in the name of his father, veteran dancer, Sundaram master.

Knowing the value of the possession, Naga wondered about using the hat for a professional dance competition for aspiring dancers. After much thought, the outcome was MJ Cup 2017.

“Dance isn’t just an artform — it’s a way of life for me. I am excited to support and present a platform that will give aspiring young dancing talent an avenue to showcase their art to a larger audience. As a family of dancers, we breathe, live and celebrate dance in every form and this event is our way to support its glory in the years to come.”

The three-week contest is being conducted across five cities —Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Chennai. There will be two styles of dance — B-boy and freestyle — for  which there will be auditions. The MJ Cup team will take the competition to malls and multiplexes where dance enthusiasts will get to shake a leg and be part of the coveted professional dance competition. There is also exciting prize money to be won. Prabhudheva will judge the finale to be held in Chennai on January 20.