450+ Students Came Together To Pay Tribute to World Disability Day by Shiamak Davar’s Victory Arts Foundation

Ace Choreographer makes dance accessible for individuals from lower economic backgrounds, with intellectual disability, developmental disability, visual impairment, hearing impairment and speech impairment

Mumbai: Victory Arts Foundation, an NGO founded by Ace Choreographer and Dance Legend, Shiamak Davar conducted its annual presentation on 27thNovember 2019 at St. Andrews Auditorium. Celebrating the spirit of differently-abled kids on the occasion of World Disability Day, Victory Presentation brought together 450+ kids across different age, gender, caste, class and ability; without prejudice. 

The presentation witnessed a spectacular performance by 14 NGOs/Institutes performing at a house full show. All the children from different NGOs and Institutes have been trained by Shiamak’s finest dance faculty to show that they are differently abled and not disabled. 

The performance had a mesmerizing effect on the audience; cheering, continuous clapping to motivate the special kids. Once the performances began, audience forgot about their disability. Though they might not have the sense of sight or ability to hear, though they may not have legs or hands to physically move, but every performer had a spirit, a spirit that makes them triumph. They danced from their soul and we could literally see their spirit fly!

Victory Arts Foundation is an NGO working with kids with Developmental and Intellectual Disability including Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Individuals using wheelchairs, crutches and calipers, Individuals with Speech Impairment, Individuals with Visual Impairment, Individuals with Hearing Impairment, Emotionally traumatized children (orphans and child laborers), Children of Construction Workers and Rag-pickers, Senior citizens, Women/children who are victims of human trafficking and victims of domestic violence, Children and adults affected by sickness or disease (Cancer, Schizophrenia and HIV infected affected), Children and adults in conflict with the law.

Through Victory Arts Foundation, Shiamak aims to endeavors the use of power of dance as a therapeutic medium to bring joy to the special kids and make dance a viable and respected career option.

This year , the theme for  for Victory Arts Foundation was “World of Television” where the Victory Dance Teams, along with partner NGO’s performed on stage showcasing popular television shows in form of dance. The performances of these kids also included Aerial acts and many more such performances  which were a visual treat to everyone.

The music, choreography, costumes, and designs were breathtaking. The participants performed on various Bollywood numbers and different styles which brought varied emotions.

Dance is not taken seriously and people don’t understand that dance has the ability to heal, it actually heals on every level mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. And this is what we want to change. About 30 years ago, when I just started my classes, a polio affected girl came to me and told me she wants to come to my classes. I immediately expressed my interest to get her enrolled to my classes after knowing she can’t move. As she completed one year, she told me, “you know my hand is moving a little more than my doctor had said” and that’s a miracle, that really made me think is it possible that dance could actually do this to someone. And that’s when the idea clicked of getting (incorporated in 2004) Victory Arts Foundation started which is really close to my heart, says Shiamak Davar.

Mr. Davar and his mother and family and friends were moved present also was Master marzi who kept all entertained.

Shiamak Davar’sMasterpiece Selcouth Leaves the Audience in a Zen State of WOW!

Dance Guru Shiamak Davar’s Production - Selcouth was graced by celebrities like Ranveer Singh, Dhvani Bhanushali, Siddharth Roy Kapurand many more

Sunday, 3rd November: ShaimakDavar’s biggest blockbuster‘Selcouth’, an exceptional show came back after a popular demand. Celebrated choreographer, Shiamak Davar delivers everything he promises to with his venture SELCOUTH- a rare, unusual, marvellous and wonderful contemporary dance show organized at NCPA on 3^rd November.

Best known for modernizing India’s dance, Shiamak Davar enthralled performing arts ‘enthusiasts’ . Ranveer Singh, Vikram Phadnis, VJ Andy, VJ Kamal Sidhu, Dhvani Bhanushali, Shakti Mohan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, industrialist Mr. Anand Mahindra and other famous personalities like Smita Thackeray, USA Consul General Mr. David Ranz were mesmerized with his contemporary dance show Selcouth.

 A blend of contemporary and modern dance with ballet as the base, Selcouth aimed at depicting what life is all about. With the power of dance, illustrating everything ranging from dance, drama, love and humour. Shiamak beautifully managed to take the audience through a terrifying journey to things which people do not see, through his contemporary dance, beautifully presented by his energetic dance team.

Commenting on this, star performer Ranveer Singh said, “Selcouth is an extra ordinary performance and I am honoured to share stage with Shiamak and his Company. The performance was a blend of varied emotions and I was at the tip of my seat  to witness an illustrative perspective of what life is all about. This performance was an absolute visual treat. This performance cannot be compared to any other performance, it is pure art and dance.”

“Dance for me is not passion, not profession, but a marvelous splendor of spark that sets you apart from the ordinary. When you hear your soul, your body should create movement that only you can feel, that is exactly what Selcouth is all about…Where your mind shares thoughts that only you can understand. I am grateful for the entertainment industry to always encourage Selcouth, so blessed to have my dance team who surrender themselves to Dance” says Shaimak Davar.

“We completed over 30 shows of Selcouth and I was overwhelmed at the response from the audience. This movement is very different from what people generally see; this is pure dance that moves your spiritual mind. I’m glad we could bring the show back. Selcouth is  very close to my heart and creatively something that I look forward to every time we do it” adds Shaimak Davar.

Exploring varied emotions, the audience was at the tip of their seats, curious for surprises, unexpected visual treats and technique par excellence. Shiamak has certainly openedthe battlefield and set a standard that seems impossible to match.

About -SDIPA –Started with an aim to provide quality dance training and making dance available to all, Shiamak Davar’s Institute for Performing Arts is now one of the most respected names in the arena of performing arts, epitomising and promoting dance education on the global pedestal. SDIPA has been imparting dance education for over three decades and is growing from strength to strength, teaching people of all age groups and from all walks of life with our motto, “Have Feet. Will Dance”.