If you dance from the heart, your feet will follow.’ Devesh Mirchandani, the well-known Choreographer of Mumbai, not only lives his own life by the above motto but also makes his students believe in it. No wonder, his workshops are hugely popular. He has been conducting dance workshops in Mysuru for the past two years and is planning to set up a Dance Academy in Namma Mysuru. Devesh was in city recently to conduct a ten-day Kathakwood (a mix of Kathak and Bollywood style) workshop for amateurs. Organised in association with Roma’s Dance School, the workshop culminated with participants giving a sizzling performance at Jaganmohan Palace auditorium. On behalf of Star of Mysore, Sujata Rajpal caught up with the versatile choreographer after the show. Excerpts:

By Sujata Rajpal

Star of Mysore (SOM): It’s  good news that you are planning to set up a Dance Academy in Mysuru. Why did you choose Mysuru of all the places?

Devesh: Mysuru is known as a pensioners’ paradise but I would like to start a new venture here and not settle down here after retirement. The cleanest city tag is an attraction enough for people to make Mysuru their home. The calming factor of the city catches on you quickly. This is my second visit to Mysuru and I am already in love with its serene surroundings. The city has a huge potential for art and culture-related activities. People are very welcoming and open to learning something new. I want to start an Academy which will offer courses in Kathak, Bollywood and other dance styles for students who want to dance as well as learn a new skill.

SOM: Tell us about your journey so far.

Devesh: When I was three-years-old, I knew I wanted to become a dancer. When I was 16 and training in a gym, the gym instructor was so impressed with my aerobics that he gave me a job to train adults. That was the first time, I realised that it is possible to earn money through dance but in our society, dance is considered a hobby and not a profession. Later I participated in a reality show named ‘Dil Se Naachein Indiawaale’ by Zee TV which brought me into limelight and I got my first opportunity to conduct a dance workshop at Cali in Colombia. There has been no looking back since then. That was the beginning of a plethora of opportunities.

I have conducted workshops in China, Taiwan, South America and many other countries. My professional journey got another boost when I started assisting choreographer Longinus Fernandes and worked on a few ads and songs. My first break was to assist the choreographer for the song ‘Aaj blue hai pani pani pani…’ from the movie Yaariyan for YoYo Honey Singh. At that time, I didn’t even know who Honey Singh was but it was nice working with him. I have also choreographed ad films including Candyman and Symphony mobiles. During the course, I have met many actors.

Once I was backstage for the launch of ‘Dance with Madhuri.’ Suddenly I heard someone call me, I turned back to see Madhuriji addressing me. I was mesmerised by her beauty and aura. Her humility was touching. She had watched my videos and appreciated my dance. Being a newbie in the industry at that time, it was a high moment for me. Once SRK told me that he would want to dance with me. These off camera comments were very encouraging. I am trained in Jazz and Kathak but Kathak-Bollywood is my signature style.

“Dancers have a shelf life. The journey of a professional dancer cruises through a student to an assistant to a teacher to a choreographer and then your own Dance Academy. Those who want to take up dancing as a profession should have the complete plan in mind…”

– Devesh Mirchandani, well-known Choreographer from Mumbai

SOM: What is your advice for youngsters who want to take up dance as a profession?

Devesh: There is no age limit to start learning dance. To become a dancer, one needs to be fit and passionate about dance. Be shameless when you dance, that’s what I tell my students. Forget what people will think about you. Borrowing a dialogue from Three Idiots — if you run after excellence, success will follow. Practice is very important to hone any skill. I have been in this profession for almost twelve years, I practice for six to seven hours every day even now. I want to give it to people what I have and live through them. Dancers have a shelf life. The journey of a professional dancer cruises through a student to assistant to teacher to a choreographer and then your own Dance Academy. Those who want to take up dancing as a profession should have the complete plan in mind. When I was struggling, people discouraged me, no one believed that dance can be taken as a profession. Relatives mocked, they boasted about their children who were engineers or doctors but now I earn in a month what they earn in an entire year. But education is important, it will always help you in life. I am not only living my passion but also get to travel and meet new people.

SOM: How is your experience teaching Bollywood to people from various countries?

Devesh: Dance is universal, it doesn’t have a language. I have conducted workshops in Taiwan, Chilli, Columbia, China and many other cities in India and abroad. Bollywood is hugely popular overseas. I want to spread awareness about Kathak and Bollywood mix style. It is amazing how gracefully Chinese girls perform Kathak. The foreigners are intrigued by the versatility that Indian dance forms offer. I always have a translator with me who translates the meaning of lyrics because to express emotions, it is important to know the meaning.

SOM: What is your opinion about  reality shows?

Devesh: I am not a big fan of reality shows though they are a great platform to showcase talent. The reality shows are scripted right from Bigg Boss to Indian Idol. So what we see is not always true. Such shows for adults are fine but it should be a big NO for children. It’s a pity when parents make their small children miss school and make them participate in reality shows, exposing them to cut throat competitions very early in life. It is good to recognise a potential and help it shine but not at the cost of their innocence, childhood and education.

SOM: In your class, you must be having a motley of good, average and bad dancers. How do you customise the dance steps to suit everyone?

Devesh: I believe that everyone can dance though the levels of dancing may differ. I see the strength of my students on the first day, understand their potential and modify the steps accordingly so that the freshers get to learn and even advanced students find it challenging and enjoy. I customise the steps according to their potential. For a teacher, good temperament is equally important.

SOM: Do you have any role model?

Devesh: I admire many dancers  — Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukerji, Hrithik Roshan, Varun Dhawan, Shahid Kapoor. After I started focusing on Kathak, I have become spiritual and stopped eating non-vegetarian food.

Lord Krishna, who was also known as a dancer, is my role model.