Shiamak Davar rocked Bollywood and Hindi music industry with his music and moves; these days, he's empowering special children through dance
Shiamak Davar rocked Bollywood and Hindi music industry with his music and moves; these days, he's empowering special children through dance
When former US President Bill Clinton saw Shiamak Davar shake his booty, he said, "The world must see you". And everyone has. But dancing Davar doesn't stop there; he's busy turning choreography to a cause. FYI chatted with him about his reality show Dance Premier League, the Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts' (SDIPA) initiative for differently abled kids, and why India is dancing to a different tune.
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Choreographer Shiamak Davar enjoys a rickshaw ride. pic/ Subhash Barolia |
Where has the showbiz active Shiamak disappeared?Honestly, I am focusing my energy on my dance institute, and the Victory Arts Foundation (VAF), a non-profit arm committed to empowering special children through dance. I want to discover more dancing stars in the country and give them the appropriate recognition and training.
But doesn't Bollywood entice you anymore?It is a conscious decision to work with people who give me the space to experiment with my own style, rather than require me to follow trends.
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You have been judging dance reality shows (Jhalak Dikhla Ja, for instance) for some time now. What's India's dance aptitude?These shows provide a strong platform for Indians to display their skills. Anyway, dance is deep rooted in our culture. Most Indians have a sense of rhythm. What is now important is to promote dance formally, and
I think schools should seriously consider incorporating dance in
their curriculum
How important are you to the Dance Premier League core team?Initially, I was not meant to be a part of the show since several participants happen to be my students. How could I judge my own children? I am a guide who helps mentors from different teams and sets difficulty levels.
So, now decades old into the game, are you sure dance was the right thing to have pursued?Ever since I was little, I have been interested in the performing arts. As I grew older, the passion grew. But honestly, at that time, I was more interested in theatre and singing. Once, I was walking past the Pineapple Dance Studios in London, and something told me this is what I wanted to do. That was the beginning, and that will be the end. It's been enriching for me. Dance has been, and will always be an amalgamation of the body, mind and spirit. In short, my life.
No one thought of dance as a career option till some time ago. Has it finally "arrived" as a profession?Dance didn't enjoy the support it does today, it wasn't seen as an option, professionally. There were those who ridiculed me for bringing Western dance to India. For men, it was totally off bounds.I am very happy to see perceptions changing. Dance is getting experimental everyu00a0 day, with classical fusing with contemporary, and tribal with tap. It'll get better from here.
What makes a great dancer?Originality, dedication, commitment, patience, and a lot of passion is crucial to become a good dancer.
To join Shiamak's latest training season, Email: dance@shiamak.com
Or log on to https://www.sdipa.com/ for more details
