Zakwana Bagban wins international exotic pole competitions

Fresh from her international victory at Exotic Generation, Zakwana Bagban is making waves in the Indian pole dance scene. In an exclusive conversation, Zakwana opens up about her journey, the misconceptions around pole dancing in India, and her vision for the future of this powerful art form.

Tell us about your pole dancing journey. How did it all begin?

It all started in 2019 when I was in Dubai. I was immediately drawn to the strength, grace, and sheer artistry of pole dancing. My background in aerial arts helped me transition smoothly, and I was fortunate to train with world-class instructors.

Like many, my training hit a pause during the pandemic, but in 2021, I resumed in Russia and later, I trained in Bali, where I focused more on exotic pole.

I have been incredibly lucky to learn from some of the best in the world—Vlada Zhizhchenko, Elena Chernyshova, Martina Trombetta, Ekaterina Kuzmina, Polina Litvinenko, Marina Shcherbakova, and many more.

India has such a rich variety of dance forms. What made you choose pole dance?

I have always been fascinated by movement and have dabbled in classical Indian styles like Kathak and Bharatanatyam.

I love hanging upside down, pushing my physical limits, and exploring my expressive side. Pole is the perfect blend of strength, flexibility, creativity, and emotion. It is more than just a dance—it is a form of liberation. Once I started, I knew this was the art form I wanted to dedicate myself to.

Tell us more about Exotic Generation.

Exotic Generation is one of the biggest international exotic pole competitions. It features multiple categories like Flow, Old School, Hard Style, and Theatre, each showcasing a different aspect of pole dance.

I competed in the Fresh New Face Flow category, which focuses on seamless transitions, musicality, and fluid movement in exotic pole. Performing in front of an international audience and competing with some of the best in the world was a surreal experience. Winning first place was a dream come true and a huge milestone for me.

Internationally, pole dancing is recognized as a sport. But in India, it still faces stigma. What are your thoughts on this?

It is true—pole dancing has deep roots in the strip club industry, and sex workers deserve full credit for shaping so much of the movement vocabulary we use today. Pole dance is powerful, and it belongs to everyone, whether they do it for sport, artistic expression, or the industry that pioneered it.

In India, unfortunately, women expressing their sensuality is often judged. But sensuality is not something shameful—it is a natural part of being human.

Zakwana Bagban is not just redefining pole dance in India—she is creating a movement. With every spin, drop, and transition, she is proving that strength, sensuality, and self-expression can coexist beautifully. The future of pole dance in India looks brighter than ever, and Zakwana is leading the way.