Whether it is rock, salsa, ballroom, urban, or classical dance, Rijamanitra Randrianarisoa leaves a personal signature everywhere, which he describes as the “Rijamanitra style.” These movements, characterized as “a bit bouncy, elegant, and requiring significant movement for both men and women,” reflect an artistic identity built over three decades.
His passion for dance began in childhood. By age 8, he had already mastered rock, gazo, waltz, and ballroom dance, inspired by his parents who practiced acrobatic rock. After competing in Toamasina, he joined a club in 1996 and participated in numerous competitions and shows, notably with Don Rajohnson and Tovo J’Hay. As the 1997 Rock and Roll champion with Rock Alliance, he continued his training in France, where he won an international standard sports dance competition and took coaching, salsa, and competition organization courses in Nice. Initially drawn to football, like his father Percy Honoré, a former high-level goalkeeper for the Stade Olympique de l’Est, he ultimately chose dance. Self-taught at the beginning, he later deepened his knowledge of sports dance starting in 2005 under the guidance of experts and coaches.
This experience now fuels his teaching work at Dih’Art Madagascar, which he has led for 25 years. The school welcomes students aged 4 to 77 and offers various disciplines, including ballroom, classical, artistic awakening, K-pop, afro, and street jazz, as well as modeling and performance arts. “Our ambition is to give children a real place and offer them a space where they can develop their minds through art,” he emphasizes. For Rijamanitra, learning is a lifelong process: he continues to participate in workshops and training, emphasizing the importance of self-discipline.
This year, his artistic journey will reach a new milestone with “Voyage dans le Temps” (Journey Through Time), a major show scheduled for August 2 at the CCI Ivato, marking both the 25th anniversary of Dih’Art Madagascar and his 30-year career. The performance will bring together children and dancers from the school, as well as artists from Analamanga and various regions who have collaborated with Dih’Art. The program will explore free dance, ballroom, ballet, rock, salsa, bachata, retro dance, urban dance, musical theater, and Zumba, with a special place for tsapiky and mangaliba.
Without ever taking a real break in his career, the artist continues to search, learn, and pass on his knowledge. Also passionate about motorcycles and documentaries, he states: “I continue to search and try to give the best of myself and my team.” This approach summarizes his “Rijamanitra style,” blending energy, movement, and a desire to advance Malagasy dance.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-30 06:23:57 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/danse-rijamanitra-impose-son-style.html