Dance no bar

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Posted: 18 years ago

Dance no bar

< content=07/18/2007 name=date>

Shiamak Davar set to learn mujra from bar girls

Shiamak Davar with Shilpa Shetty

When it came to directing a mujra sequence for a forthcoming play, Shiamak Davar actually visited the city's mujra-performing community and a few bar girls at Opera House at Grant Road. One of the dancers from the community will start training the choreographer and the 20-member crew from his dance academy shortly.

It all started as a part of the extensive research for the play Bombay Black, which revolves around a girl from a dancing community like the Devdasis in Maharastra. Director Anahita Uberoi and choreographer-cum-producer Shiamak consulted Varsha Kale, president of Bar Dancers' Association and this is when they hit the streets of Opera House. After a few interactions and much brainstorming, Anahita and Shiamak unanimously decided to get their dance troupe trained under a mujra artiste.

"Shiamak and I are keen on learning the mannerisms and dance steps from these girls. They may not have received any formal training, but they are magnificent artistes with unbelievable skills. We are particularly impressed with this step where a girl bends on her back to lift the handkerchief. The girki is another magnificent step, where they make continuous 36 rotations around themselves," says Anahita.

In return, Shiamak has promised the community members that he will sing and dance at charity programmes organised for them by local NGOs. He has also decided to give free dance lessons to the children of these oppressed dancers.

However, Shiamak remained unavailable for comment. His manager, Glen says, "We would like to speak more about this issue when the play is ready."

The play, which has two lavish dance sequences will be staged in September. It will be directed by Anahita Uberoi, daughter of Vijaya Mehta. It is a Canadian play written by Anosh Irani and has won Best Play of the Year Award in Canada. Shiamak Davar is also producing it.