Magnetic performance mesmerises city audience

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 22

From bhangra to salsa and hip hop, Chandigarh responded effortlessly to Shiamak Davar’s style of modern contemporary dance that combines multiple genres. The city saw a magnetic performance, courtesy 200 participants who took part in the fortnight-long dance workshop organised by the Durga Das Foundation in partnership with Shiamak Davar International India Limited.

The workshop culminated in a gala Winter Funk show with all participants taking to the stage and dancing to chartbusters in a style and chronology that had the trademark Shiamak stamp written all over.

Smart movements, quick lissome steps, perfect synchronisation and a lot of grace – the show embodied the best of salsa, hip hop, twist and rock n’ roll. Mounted on a grand scale with a professionally done audio visual that took the audience on a journey of what Shiamak’s dance school offers, including special dance certification programmes, it was an evening of medleys.

A Hrithik Roshan medley paid a tribute to the popular stars’ elastic moves followed by a police medley that had a mix of the East and the West, of the old and the new, beautifully adapting itself to different genres of music and hitting the right emotional chord with the audience. The ‘bhoot’ medley and a medley of talented AR Rehman’s most popular songs were followed by a retro ensemble. Each of these gave the dancers ample opportunity to show different moods, dance styles and steps.

The Winter Funk dance workshop, which is now an annual event, gives students an opportunity to learn and train in their favourite dance style, learn the finer nuances of dance movement and gain a wholesome perspective while balancing songs and dance steps with costumes, stage props and special sound and light effects.

Shiamak’s grand live stage shows in India and overseas are much appreciated and these workshops allow students to get that entire range and perspective as they get a deeper understanding of what dance really means.

“Chandigarh’s dancers performed with gusto,and quickly responded and adapted to the different dance forms. Many of them admitted that dance for them was akin to therapy and a release of negative emotions,” instructors said.