Stepping back in time

In transit

Shiamak Davar is someone who needs no introduction. From revolutionising Bollywood dance to introducing styles that were not seen before in film choreography, he has achieved quite a lot. In the City recently, he spoke to Metrolife about his life, dance styles and his interest in singing. When asked about the secret of his success, he informs that he has been in the industry for 27 years. “When I got the National Award for Dil To Pagal Hain, people said that I had got it for my very first film but they didn’t know I had been doing this way before that. The concept of dance school was started by me because when I was young, there was no one for me and I went through a lot of struggle to learn,” he says. He also informs that his family was hugely into education, both his parents being PhD “I also impart education but of a different kind I guess,” he says.

Talking about his interest in dance, he informs that initially he was interested in singing and also played the piano. “I used to be a legend in my living room for my cousins and family,” he says. “I actually went abroad to sing and accidentally saw a dance school across the street and went in. The instructor asked me for how many years I had been dancing. I said never,” he says laughingly.

He says when he started out people were not aware of the Western dance forms at all. “They used to call ‘jazz’ jahas,” he says. “I started with seven students, five of whom were my family members,” he says. “Till a girl called Gauri Khan came for my classes,” he adds. “And later Yash uncle asked me to do Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. I didn’t choreograph because I thought my dance form was too westernised,” he informs.

But later on, he did Dil To Pagal Hain, a film that changed the dance industry. So what does Shiamak like more – film choreography or dance shows? “I love choreography only when I am in complete charge,” he says. “But if a comparison has to be made then no doubt I love theatre more,” he adds.

When asked why jazz is such an integral part of his dance style, he says, “Jazz is easily acceptable. Earlier, I used to choreograph contemporary pieces for my students. After 27 years, I have managed to make something of a ‘Shiamak style’,” he adds. Talking about his other achievements, he says he also cut an album long back. So is he planning to that again? “I have recorded some songs recently so let’s see. It may happen,” he signs off.