"Dancing is not couple of movements put together"

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1.Tell us more about your background and journey.

My name is Nikhil Kapoor from Delhi. I’m a professional dancer, performer and teacher. Currently working at SHIAMAK DAVAR INSTITUTE. I have taught and performed across India and UK. I have performed with various Bollywood actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, etc.

I was also awarded by British Carnatic Choir for my contribution for enhancing Indian culture and dance in UK. I received this award at Aston University, Birmingham UK.

2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue dancing and how did you start?

I belong to a Punjabi family residing in Delhi. I started dancing at the age of 7 because I always enjoyed it. Just moving around my living room, having fun listening to music. My first inspiration to dance was my father. I use watch him dance at parties and functions, which I guess made me feel good watching and definitely getting a lot of attention. Watching my father dance and then trying to copy him was like my first ever experience of learning.

So I started learning when I was 14. But it was on and off. My family enrolled me to SHIAMAK's normal classes in Delhi. That was the first time I performed on stage. After my performance I saw the SHIAMAK's instructors performing and I was blown away with their dancing. That was like a turning point and it instantly clicked me that I want to become a dancer. Later I got selected for SHIAMAK's Special Potentional Batches (SPB) which was like an Advance Training in Dance. During that course I got to know about SHIAMAK's One Year Programme (OYP). I gave the audition and I got selected for the same. SHIAMAK’s OYP is a professional dance course in Mumbai conducted by Shiamak Davar himself and various other national and international faculties. After the completion of the course Shaimak Davar selected me as instructor in the company. From there my career took off.

3. Who is your favourite dancer and why?

Honestly I don't have a favourite dancer but I'm inspired by a lot of them. I feel anyone I watch inspires me to take a part from them and create something on my own. Its like taking different colours and creating your own painting.

4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a dancer?

Now a days there are a lot of opportunities for dancers. Social media has made it very easy. You just put up a video and boom you are viral everywhere.

A lot of people are earning doing sangeets, corporate shows, even taking classes. Just because its all easy, some people take it for granted and it becomes a mess. Its very important to train and by training I don't mean watching YouTube videos, doing few classes and you are good to go. No. Never.

5. Is format training required or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?

Teaching dance is one of the greatest profession. You are literally shaping peoples bodies and creating mental patters as u teach, so it is very important to have the knowledge about basic body anatomy, using the right words and tools as they create mental patterns.

Dancing is not couple of movements put together. It requires strength, stamina, agility, mobility, a creative mind and soul. Its a proper alignment of Body, mind and soul.

6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?

If you want to become a dancer you must train everyday. I feel one has to go through a classical dance training to have strong foundation. It could be our Indian classical or ballet or jazz. These foundations will really make u understand how to move your body. And then you fan

7. Which is your favourite book and why?

I love reading books. They are like your personal guide and being a dancer they really helps me in getting ideas and being creative.

My favourite book is "Laws of the Spirit World".

Honestly I use to hate books and always thought reading book was not my cup of tea. Once I got introduced to this book, it was like a drug I immediately got hooked on it. It changed my life and my perspective towards life. EVERYONE NEEDS THIS BOOK. Trust me it had helped me, and it will do wonders for u as well.

- Nikhil Kapoor

Interview by - Haseeb Haroon