Dance the blues away

Someone once said,‘dancing is like dreaming with your feet’ and Shiamak’s Summer Funk ‘09 held at the Inderdhanush Auditorium in Panchkula on Sunday evening proved just that! The charged energy exhibited by performers,their near-deafening excited cheers and lively spirit made everyone forget their worries for the one-and-a-half hours in which they enthralled the audience with 21 acts. Just two weeks of training with the group from his academy and each dancer on stage showed an inspiring level of confidence and skill. And that’s just what the aim of the workshop was — to develop physical,emotional and spiritual strength not only for regular dance buffs but,as part of the Victory Arts Foundation,free training for those who have physical disabilities too. This year the Sahayta Cancer Sanyog participated in the event with little ones,affected by cancer,leaving spectators speechless with their liveliness and motley group of costumes ranging from kurta pajyamas,sarees,commando clothes and a Charlie Chaplin attire. Performances included items on funky English and popular Bollywood tracks. The act with toddlers dressed in animal costumes moving to,‘I like to move it’ and skit on the movie ‘Rab ne Banadi Jodi’ were adorable. Even if the audience didn’t always display enough enthusiasm,those on stage seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly.

Interestingly,the workshop has produced stories of miraculous cures as well. Says Ruma Soni,a hospital volunteer with the Sanyog,“Within 15 days of practice,the blood count of two of our children has increased already. The positive attitude and exercise is what they need to restore their health.” That’s not all. The oldest member,60-year-old Sushila Prasad has accounts of her own. “I couldn’t walk before I joined and would take one alprax a day to deal with depression. But now I don’t need any medicine and can not just walk easily,I’ve lost four kgs as well! I advise every person to join this,” she states cheerfully. Atul Khanna,Head of the Durga Das Foundation which has been collaborating with Shiamak Davar’s Institute for the Performing Arts for the past eight years proudly says,“The dance workshop includes jazz,hip hop,rock and roll. The dance includes fitness which together culminate into something so remarkable. Both our shows have sold out and we are very pleased.” Kudos to yet another year of success!