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| Shiamak Davar | |
|---|---|
| Name | Shiamak Davar |
| Birth date | 19 October 1961 |
| Birth place | Bombay, India |
| Occupation | Choreographer, dancer, teacher, director, composer |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse | Kamaljeet Kaur |
Shiamak Davar is an Indian choreographer, dancer, and teacher credited with modernizing contemporary dance in India by blending Western jazz and contemporary techniques with Indian classical and folk forms. He founded a large performing troupe and training institute that influenced dance in Bollywood, television, stage musicals, and corporate events. His work spans choreography for major film productions, stage shows for international venues, and large-scale workshops for students and professionals.
Born in Bombay to a family of Punjabi people and Parsi people heritage, he grew up during the late decades of the Maharashtra capital's transformation into a cultural hub. Early exposure to Bollywood musicals, Ismail Merchant-era films, and Western pop culture in the 1970s shaped his interests. He trained initially in local studios and competed in intercollegiate events at institutions such as St. Xavier's College, Mumbai and performed at venues like the National Centre for the Performing Arts and college festivals influenced by touring companies from London, New York City, and Los Angeles.
His formative training included Western styles such as jazz dance, contemporary dance, and salsa, alongside study of Indian forms like Kathak and regional folk dances from states including Punjab and Gujarat. He attended workshops with visiting artists from Martha Graham-inspired schools, teachers associated with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and contemporary choreographers who had worked on productions in West End and Broadway. Influences cited in his choreography range from Michael Jackson and Gene Kelly to Indian performers associated with Satyajit Ray-era cinema and classical maestros of Kathak.
He launched a professional trajectory choreographing corporate stage shows, film song sequences, and large public events for organizations including multinational companies and state festivals. His troupe created productions for venues such as Prudential Center, Royal Albert Hall, and televised ceremonies like functions associated with Miss World and national award shows tied to Filmfare Awards. Notable stage collaborations included musicals inspired by themes from Bollywood history, work with directors from the Indian theatre circuit, and choreography for pop concerts featuring artists from India and abroad. He integrated ensemble staging techniques used in Soviet ballet tours and contemporary production values from Cirque du Soleil-style spectacles.
He is best known for choreographing numerous song-and-dance sequences in Indian cinema, contributing to films produced by companies such as Yash Raj Films, Dharma Productions, and Eros International. His choreography appeared in mainstream films featuring actors from the families of Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan, as well as leading actresses associated with Madhuri Dixit, Kajol, and Kareena Kapoor. Television credits include reality shows and televised award events broadcast on networks like Star Plus, Zee TV, and Sony Entertainment Television. He worked with music directors and composers linked to A. R. Rahman, Pritam, Vishal–Shekhar, and playback singers associated with Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar legacies.
He founded a training organization that expanded into a dance company and school network teaching technique to thousands of students across campuses in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and international centers in London and New York City. The company produced alumni who went on to work with film directors from Bollywood, television producers at NDTV, and international choreographers on tours. The school hosted masterclasses drawing guest teachers from institutions like Juilliard School, The Royal Ballet School, and creators associated with Broadway musicals. He also ran outreach workshops for community events, collegiate festivals such as Mood Indigo (IIT Bombay) and corporate talent programs for firms headquartered in Mumbai's Nariman Point business district.
He received recognition from Indian film and cultural institutions, including honors at functions related to IIFA Awards, Filmfare, and government cultural departments linked to ministries in New Delhi. International acknowledgments included invitations to perform at global festivals and to choreograph for diasporic events organized by consulates of India and cultural organizations like Alliance Française and British Council. He was conferred lifetime achievement-type awards by dance forums and industry bodies associated with The Times of India and arts organizations across Asia.
Married to Kamaljeet Kaur, he balances family life with managing the dance company and touring schedules. His philanthropic initiatives included fundraising performances for disaster relief related to events in Gujarat and Kashmir, charity galas supporting education programs partnered with NGOs active in Mumbai and the National Association for the Blind (India). He supported talent scholarships and community outreach to promote performing arts access among underprivileged youth in urban centers like Mumbai and Delhi.
Category:Indian choreographers Category:Indian dancers Category:People from Mumbai