I found my home on the stage: Shiamak Davar

Shiamak Davar is an Indian choreographer, noted as one of the first to bring contemporary Jazz and western forms of dances to India. He was also the Director of Choreography for the Commonwealth Games Melbourne, and Commonwealth Games, Delhi.

You are the pioneer of dancing in India, how did the idea of creating Shiamak Davar Dance Company struck you? Now your dance school is the only dance school that has branches in India, Canada, Australia, UAE , UK...

For me performing arts is all I knew, it was the reason for my existence and I found my home on the stage. Whether it was singing, acting, doing theatre or dance, I enjoyed each one equally. It was later through my spiritual guides, The Bhavnagiris that I realized that my mission was to spread the joy of dance. This gave me faith and direction to keep going. What also helped me propel through the hard times was the support of my parents, who being educationists themselves encouraged me to make my passion a profession. As people slowly started noticing the professionalism and structure that came to dance with my classes, the number of students grew, and I knew I was moving in the right direction. Over the last twenty five years, the movement has grown from one city to five countries!

You're not just a dancer, but a singer. Did you started singing while dancing, or it was the other way round for you?

Singing was my first love. I'd sing and play the piano. When family and friends would come over, I'd use a coke bottle as a mic and perform for them! Dance happened much later.

You changed the face of dance in Bollywood after you came and conquered in Taal. But even today you dont do more of Bollywood. Is it a conscious decision?

Like is said, my primary mission is to spread the mission of dance, so my dance school always get priority. Also, as a choreographer I prefer working on projects that give me creative space. I have in fact been choreographing for Bollywood, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag being the last project. I'm more of a live stage person, I enjoy choreographing those more! But yes, there are Bollywood projects coming up and you will see my style of choreography again in films!

How was performing for Tony Blair in Macedonia?

I think people across the world have such high regard for performing arts. It's always great to perform on international platforms and share a bit of our culture with them through dance. The music, dance, colors and celebration is testimony of the spirit of our people, and this is what they really enjoy watching.

What is SELCOUTH?

Selcouth is my latest dance show. The word means rare and unusual and that is exactly what this show is. Over years I have been doing these shows for my students and parents but when they saw this show, everyone said the public must watch this! The show traces the good, the dark and the spiritual aspects of things I have seen in my journey. People have received it so well. People recognise this style is Shiamak Style, so that is what it is called now. With seven packed shows, there are many more to come.

You run a NGO called VAF ( Victory Arts Foundation) which has a tag line, Have Feet, Will Dance. How did this happen?

I used to get some students with special needs who'd come and dance and there would be a sea change in their personality and body language. In 2004 I decided to dedicate a wing that uses dance as therapy and heals people. This is how VICTORY Arts Foundation came up. Reaching out to people with special needs, the lesser privileged.. VICTORY heals through dance. We have started another voluntary program called Dance For Good where my dance teams in their city go to care centres, hospitals, orphanages, old age homes etc and perform to spread the joy of dance.