The acknowledged guru of modern dance in India—choreographer Shiamak Davar—has made several celebrities dance to his tune over the years. Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Ishaan Khattar, to name a few. Shiamak burst on the scene and shook up the languid world of dance at the time audiences were content with the odd rock and roll shows, or the more elaborate musicals like Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar put together by advertising professionals dabbling in theatre.
With his contemporary choreography in the Bollywood hit Dil To Pagal Hai, Shiamak reached mass audiences, unaccustomed to top stars going way beyond the sort of dancing that was popular back then. Shiamak went on to break several rules subsequently, designing dance sequences for top international films like the fourth instalment of Mission Impossible, and gaining fame as director of choreography for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne (2006) and Delhi (2010). Brand Shiamak was recognised across India and he went on to win a National Film Award.
Shiamak Davar | PTI
With Elton John as his idol, Shiamak went on to experiment and create highly enjoyale stage productions, with him as the principal actor-singer-dancer. He performed the opening act at the Bryan Adams concert in India, and Shiamak’s album—Mohabbat Kar Le—sold over 1.2 million copies with its catchy lyrics and fluid moves. Shiamak’s live performances sold out weeks in advance as audiences danced in the aisles to chartbusters. Teenagers across India wanted to be on that stage, dancing and singing with abandon. Sensing the shift, Shiamak established dance academies at 67 locations in 13 cities across four countries, offering summer courses for children, teens and adults, who connected to his slogan: ‘Have feet, will dance’. Shiamak’s touring productions were—and are—all the rage, as senior instructors conduct classes that are known to transform lives.
Today, Shiamak, as artistic director, oversees operations from Vancouver, where he lives on a charming estate and takes special interest in Victory Arts Foundation, teaching dance to underprivileged children, and children with mental and physical disabilities, following his belief of dance as therapy.
But way before all these well-deserved accolades came his way, Shiamak and I were friends and neighbours in a south Mumbai locality. We would run into each other, hug and kiss warmly, ask about family.
It was with this background of familiarity that I texted him—an SOS, really! Recently, I had jauntily sent out invites to close friends, for a ‘Tauba Tauba’ party. Most invitees were senior citizens who hadn’t heard the viral track and were baffled! Would Shiamak step in and provide a face saver? Someone from his academy who knew the hook step and could teach us, geriatrics, for a few minutes?
Shiamak called immediately. It was 3.30am in Vancouver. Why wasn’t he fast asleep? “I barely knock off for three or four hours,’’ he laughed. Within an hour I received a call from Chetan Rijhwani, a senior instructor, who was sporting enough to readily say, “Yes,” I half-joked, “There could be a few dislocated hips by the end of your session… and I may need knee replacement.’’ Chetan replied, “Let’s just have fun.” And what a star Chetan turned out to be that night, with his surprise entry! His moves, and wonderful spirit, had unlikely people grooving with him, channeling their inner Vicky Kaushal. My face, and the party, were saved! All thanks to the guru in faraway Vancouver—darling Shiamak! I can’t wait to give him a bear hug when he’s in Mumbai next. The message of Mohabbat Kar Le will always remain. Love is all that matters. Till then, I am practicing ‘Tauba Tauba’.
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