Dubai: Viral dance by Indian tourists at Burj Khalifa sparks debate
A group of Indian tourists has stirred a debate after a video showing them doing the Garba on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa went viral.
Wearing matching yellow outfits, the tourists performed the traditional Gujarati folk dance to the Bollywood song Chogada from the 2018 film Loveyatri. The performance was filmed and shared on Instagram on June 15 by Dubai-based content creator @the_walking_lens_, and has since drawn thousands of views and a wave of mixed reactions.
Some viewers praised the group for proudly showcasing Indian culture on a global stage. 'It's sweet to see our culture shining,' one user wrote. But others were critical, calling the dance inappropriate for a crowded tourist spot. 'Why is this glorified? We must learn to respect the sanctity of public spaces ,' one comment read.
"RIP civic sense," wrote another user.
Watch the video here:
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This is not the first time Indian tourists have danced in public spaces abroad. Earlier this month, a group of Indians drew attention in Vienna by dancing Garba on the street to music played by local performers. Social media users noted a growing trend of such impromptu cultural displays, citing other instances including Pangong Lake in India, Times Square in New York, and the streets of London.
While some expats defended these acts as harmless and joyful, others argued they can be disruptive. In the Burj Khalifa video's case, critics said the performance may have inconvenienced other visitors and ignored the need to respect shared spaces. 'Perfect example of money can't buy class,' one user commented. A longtime Dubai resident said, "I saw the video. It was lively, but it blocked the viewing area for others. Visitors purchase tickets to enjoy the views, not to navigate around flash mobs."
It is not immediately clear if the performance was pre-approved or permitted by Emaar, the Dubai-based real estate developer behind the Burj Khalifa.
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