Terence Lewis Interview on eGoa (blog) 16.06.09

Terence Lewis is a star choreographer from the show Dance India Dance. So heres what he had to say to Egoa about his moves!

Egoa: What do you know about your Goan connections?

When I first visited Goa, I knew this was where I belonged. The life style and attitude of the people makes a huge difference to give Goa its true flavour. It's relaxed, welcoming, safe and free spirited. The fact that even people from other nations have made Goa their home speaks a lot for its open culture and the tolerant nature it has towards life. I Love Goa and would someday like to settle down here.

Egoa: Tell us how Dance India Dance (DID) changed your life (if at all)?

Terence: Yes it has as TV literally takes you to every ones living room and one becomes the subject of dinner conversations. It also exposed the public to different styles and raised the level at what dancing should be. I Have gained a lot of respect amongst the masses (the people in the industry know of me any which way) and they recognize me on the street and public places. It's sometimes embarrassing. I can't eat vada pav without being stared at. Professionally I'm working with two big directors- Sanjay Leela Bhansali whose next work is titled Guzarish and Ashutosh Gowarikars film titled what's your rashee.

Egoa: Tell us a little about your life's struggle.

Terence:I was born to a middle class family on the 10th of April 1975 and am the 8th child of my parents Remedia and Xavier Lewis from Mumbai. My mum was a seamstress (working from home) and Dad was a worker at Modistone tyres. We were literally given the basics in food clothing and shelter and trained by both my parents to make the best what we had and never to complain. My parents firmly believed that if we had to escape the miseries of living a hand to mouth existence then it would be through being educated and getting white collared jobs that wouldd make us financially stable and garner respect in our community, and hence education was top on that list. You see it was a deep rooted psychological thing with Mom and Dad that all their children be educated as some of their own siblings had treated them shabbily as they were not literate leave only educated and poor. So education along with religion (We had to attend church every day, say the family rosary together and confess our sins every Saturday- it was a set routine) ranked really high.

Discipline for a hard life ahead was ingrained even before we were born as I think we just followed systems that mom and dad set for us and if we did slip up there would be a long lecture given after the rosary was said in front of the whole family and then we would have to go down on our knees and ask for forgiveness to Jesus. This was done after we were thrashed black and blue if we fought amongst ourselves or got bad grades. Dance or Sports was considered frivolous only a luxury for the rich and although they didn't mind me dancing, it was made clear that if my grades dropped I wouldn't be allowed to do anything extracurricular. As a kid I had already shown a strong inclination to the performing art- be it theatre, singing or dance and was a fiercely competitive kid so any challenge would make my resolve even stronger. It was my drug.

Egoa: What about your education?

Terence: Did my 12th grade from St Xaviers college ' a strict Jezuit college and was pursuing microbiology for two years when an entrance exam I had casually given in for hotel management got me a seat in the prestigious Institute in Mumbai and so I switched. Considering it was a diploma program then, my father was insistent that I should do my graduation alongside and so I did distance education and got my degree in Psychology & Sociology as my major and a diploma in Hotel Management after three years. I then did a certificate course in Fitness training from Progressive Fitness USA (they had branches in Mumbai).

Egoa: Is dance is your profession or hobby? Tell us why.

Terence:At the very onset of my childhood, I began to love the attention I received from my performances. The stage became my home and dance my second language.

The first time I performed I was 6 and after I finished I looked at all the faces that were looking at me and my appetite grew from that day on. I became a stage whore (sorry for that but it's an original).

I agree that I am truly blessed that I love doing what I do and get paid for it. This is the biggest gift.

Egoa: what is needed to become a good dancer?

Terence:Sound training from a very good and experienced teacher. Discipline and the right attitude.

Egoa: what are your future plans?

Terence: I'd like to take one day at a time for all the plans I have. One thing for sure is that I've started the Diploma in Dance Scholarship to help dancers in the country get a professional level of training and technique from the best teachers in the world. So that begins this year in September. Auditions are in July-August. Call 26040144 for auditions.

I have already started a trust that helps fund the dance education of aspiring dancers through a 1 year diploma program that helps them with understanding dance and movement at a professional level. However dance still lacks support from parents especially with boys and many parents think it to be a hobby but not a profession. Many good students and extremely talented dancers succumb to the pressure as they are not financially independent and have to walk in their parents' footsteps. My program is aimed at bringing back the dignity of dance back in the minds and attitude of people and we work hard at making our dancers financial stable and secure.

I wish I could teach Indian contemporary techniques all over the world and share this wonderful knowledge that would help dancers tremendously. Yes I see that in the years to come it will be an important aspect of training for every dancer. Every dancer must to be able to get their certificates as professional. To a certain extent yes, but the movement needs to be so large that the world take notice of it.

We need funding desperately as we have turned down students as we can afford only a few every year to be a part of the scholarship program. . A big rehearsal Space in Mumbai is expensive to maintain and rent out and although we have teachers willing to teach at marginal costs, that costs too Is a good amount every month. At present the professional company that has finished its training do commercial shows and part of the funds we receive goes to support the training program of the scholarship dancers so far. It's been an uphill struggle to maintain high standards and get the best teachers from all over the world who are willing and believe in us. The program is run under a trust that has been recently granted the status for receiving funds from individuals and international companies. You can email us on tenterence@gmail.com for inquiries. Your support will guarantee that a talented boy or girl does not have to do call centre jobs and other desk jobs to survive and can live with their dreams coming true

Egoa: which is your most memorable performance?

Terence:Choreographing Surkh and performing at the international festivals to an international audience and them appreciating the choreography and the dancers' technique.

Egoa: who's your biggest fan or the craziest thing any fan did for u?

Egoa: Do you have anything to say about www.list.egoa.co.in?