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Entertainment

Dancing With Shiamak

As an avid dancer, I’ve grown up to the jhalaks and lachuks of Shreedevi, Madhuri Dixit, and other well-known Bollywood actresses; there’s no doubt in my mind that they are as graceful as they look on the silver screen – and we all knnow this is because of the amazing help of their splendid choreographers!

In today’s day-in-age, one of highly acclaimed and internationally known dancers is none other than the Master of Movement himself, Shiamak Davar – an Indian dancer and choreographer whose forte is in jazz. He has choreographed many Bollywood movies like Dil to Pagal Hai, Taal, Kisna, Bunty Aur Babli, I See You, Dhoom 2, and the acclaimed film, Taare Zameen Par. Gossip-talkers are even saying that Davar will be showcasing his finest moves in Subhash Ghai’s upcoming release, Main Yuvraj.

Recently I had the chance to sit down with this amazing dancer but it didn’t last too long because he had me dancing on my toes right away!

 

 

Tirusha: Shiamak, this is absolutely a dream come true. I admire your choreography and dedication to the art of dancing and to finally interview you is awesome. If you could describe yourself in five words, what would they be?
Shiamak: Dance is music made visible.

You’ve choreographed for Bollywood films such as Dil to Pagal Hai, Taal, Kisna, Bunty Aur Babli, and Dhoom 2. What has been one of your most memorable dances?
Each film had some really special moments. It was great working with Madhuri in Dil to Pagal Hai, because she is my favourite Bollywood star. It was interesting to shoot a song sequence in Canada with my core dancers for Taal. Kisna gave us an opportunity to showcase modern movement, and Bunty aur Babli was tremendous fun choreographing Mr. Bacchan, Abhishek and Raani. Hritik was awesome in Dhoom II. He worked very hard to make my choreography look really good.

Of all the stage shows you’ve done such as the IIFAs, Stardust, Filmfare, etc., which event would you say was the hardest to put together in the sense that you basically went “over the top” with your choreography?
I don’t think one needs to go ‘over the top’ with choreography because there must be a balance between the music, the visual effect created with the movements of the dancers, the backdrop and the costumes and properties. The IIFA shows are a little more hectic than any of the other awards ceremonies, because each year we have a new international destination, and a limited amount of time in which to acclimatize ourselves, set up equipment and rehearse at a new venue. But there is nothing to beat the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, where we had to manage a parade, open air costume changes, massive props, 800 dancers, celebrities, film stars and my own performance.

What type of feeling does one attain when they’re asked to represent their country, as you have many times, at events such as the World Economic Forum (Davos), the Closing Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games (Melbourne 2006), Indo-Japan Friendship Year (2007) and the Indian Economic Forum (Rome, Italy)?
It’s a great honour to represent my country, and I’m grateful to God and my spiritual guides, the Bhavnagris, for the opportunity to work with the Government of India at that level. It is a huge responsibility to take on representing India on a Global platform, so I always want things to be perfect. We are also particular about being sensitive to people from other cultures and appreciating other perspectives. It’s great to be welcomed into another country and share the joy of dance with people across the globe.

Besides being an acclaimed and talented dancer, many people also know you as Shiamak the singer! You’ve been linked with and performed with one of the most legendary singers and songwriters of our time, Sting. Please shed some light on that experience.
I was pleasantly surprised to be performing with Sting at the Channel V awards. I remember it was a cold November evening in Delhi. The second surprise came when I was asked to sing in Hindi! I love his song ‘Every Breath You Take’ and we were doing it like a duet. He would sing one verse in English and I had to pick up the next one in Hindi. And this request came, just a couple of hours before the show! But it was an amazing experience to hear Sting introduce me to the audience, then walk up to the mike and match my voice to his.

What was your initial reaction when your Hindi-Pop album “Mohabbat Karle” sold more than 1.2 million copies – and in just India alone!
I was amazed and very grateful to God and all those who appreciated the album.

Now onto something of much important! In 1992, you established your own school of dancing called, Shiamak Davar’s Institute for the Performing Arts – SDIPA for short. Your school is very famous in India and is responsible for showcasing some of the best dance talent to come forth from India. Tell us a little bit more about the school and what its full purpose is?
I thank God every day for this opportunity to offer people an education in the performing arts. When I was young, I wanted to sing, dance, act and perform – but there was nothing that I could do and it would tear me apart. I was fortunate to meet Tushna Dallas, the most phenomenal ballet teacher. Then I met Alyque Padamsee, my theatre guru and Celia Lobo, who gave me the opportunity to choreograph my first musical. They helped me find my way.

Today, I know that there is a reason that all my students and dancers come to my school. Dance is a way to heal people, its therapy. This is a place where you can fulfill your creative expression and gain confidence – which I never had as a kid. A place to spread your wings and fly with your talent!

How does it feel that besides having over ten locations in India, you also have to schools in Toronto and Vancouver? I’d love for you to open one up right here in New Jersey! Any plans on a US-based dance school?
We would love to have schools in the States too, and God willing, we will get there soon. In the meantime we have already begun classes in Melbourne, Australia and in Dubai. It was always my dream to reach out to people all over the world and share the incredible language of dance. Slowly and surely, we welcome more and more members into the SDIPA family from across geographical, cultural and social borders and that is wonderful!

When it comes to Bollywood and Bhangra, I know my steps, and Latin dancing quite well too. But still, when I come to India, can I get a few lessons with the King of Dancing himself?
Everyone is welcome to my school, and it’s great to meet people with an enthusiasm for performing arts. Thank you for your kind words. I always encourage people who love to dance. Our motto is: HAVE FEET WILL DANCE.

You were a judge on the hit-show Jhalak Dikhlaja, on Sony Entertainment Television. How does it make you feel to see people that are novices to the art of dancing, turning into remarkable dancers at the end of the show like Mona, Shweta, Prachi and Sandhya?
It is heartening to see that more and more Indians are embracing various dance styles. When I started out 20 years ago, it was almost taboo, and many people were extremely skeptical about dance as a career. I’m glad that things have turned around and shows like Jhalak definitely help spread awareness about dance. It was a very interesting experience, and watching the dancers on the show was very similar to watching my students join as diffident beginners and blossom into stars. The contestants and their choreographers certainly worked very hard. One thing I would constantly stress is correct technique and style, which still has not got its due respect in India. But I’m not complaining; it’s a great beginning!

You’re looked upon by many across India and the world as a role model. What do you do to keep that positive image which people have of you?
Well, I don’t do anything to be in people’s good books. I would rather be in the good books of God. To put it in perspective, it’s really a simple choice – if I have a choice between getting ahead and doing what’s right, I choose to do what’s right.

 

If you weren’t so involved with dancing and choreography, what do you think you would be doing right now?
I can’t imagine my world without a stage in it. My first love was singing. Dancing came much later, so I probably would be singing and acting, which I also enjoy immensely.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I would love to act or direct a film. That is something that I have always wanted to do.

What advice do you have for those who want to pursue their dreams of becoming a dancer?
We have a special motto at SDIPA – ‘Have Feet. Will Dance’ It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you come form, what you look like or whether your friends are doing it or not. Just put on your dancing shoes and let God guide your feet. I used to live by my motto, till I met a beautiful dancer who didn’t have any feet. Since then I have met many special children, who are our ‘dancing lights’. They teach us everyday that it does not take much for the body to dance, but for the spirit to dance – that is amazing! All I can tell you is that you must never give up on your dreams.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Artist Magazine?
Thanks Tirusha! Believe in yourself! No matter what they say! I have learned that we are all equal, but we are not the same. We are all special in our own way, and so are you.  Do not try to be like anyone else. Find what makes you special and use it to help further your life in a positive direction. If you have a particular talent, help it to grow; if you have an opportunity to help someone, use it; if you are tall, short, fair, dark, funny, serious or different from others, accept yourself because others will only love you if you love yourself.