DUBAI Celebrity Bollywood choreographers who have opened schools in Dubai say that having a famous name is not enough to lure wanna-be dancers to their institutes. What counts, according to them, is quality lessons conducted with a sense of purpose and dedication.
“People are not going to come and learn dancing in my institute just because I am a celebrity,” says Bhakhtyar Irani, director and partner of Tee & Bee Dance Institute.
“My wife (Tanaz Irani) and I have given our names to this institute and we would like to personally be here to supervise and run it. I live here, I pay rent. Only when I am seriously committed to teaching dance will my students stay interested as well,” he said, adding that he is here for the long haul. Both Bhakhtyar and Tanaz have starred in popular dance TV shows Nach Baliye and Zara Nachke Dikha, besides appearing in Bollywood films.
Tee & Bee institute currently has 250 students in four centres in Dubai. Two more are expected to open in the next three months in Sharjah and Al Ghusais. The institute charges Dh400 for eight classes and Dh600 for 12 classes.
“Dancing has nothing to do with pricing,” said Bhakhtyar. “I believe that if you run after money you can earn it soon. But if you are going to run after excellence and quality, money will follow you for years to come. We have instructors who have been trained under [top Bollywood choreographer] Vaibhavi Merchant. They know the level of dancing that kids need to do to be able to compete in Bollywood events.”
The results were there for all to see. Mannat Jasra, 10, a Grade 5 student, reached top 10 of Dance India Dance (DID) Dubai auditions, making her instructors at Tee & Bee really proud.
Another dance celebrity who has spread his wings in the UAE is none other than Shiamak Davar.
“All my instructors are trained by me and are well equipped to handle a number of students,” said Davar, founder/director of Shiamak Davar International, which has eight centres in the UAE. The institute charges Dh810 for 15 classes spread over two months.
Davar regularly visits Dubai to oversee operations of the schools.
“I took master classes in Dubai this year and was amazed at the degree of talent here. I have started a local dance team that is given advanced training in professional dancing in order to perform at shows and also take classes at the institute,” he said, adding that Dubai children have great potential to reach international heights in dancing.
“I always take students from across the globe for big international events. At the IIFA awards in Toronto last year, I had 130 of my dancers from everywhere to be part of that event. Even at the Commonwealth Games, hundreds of students took part in the historic event. Students from Dubai are also being trained to get such opportunities in the future,” Shiamak told XPRESS.
Mansi Oza, 16, a Grade 11 student, has been dancing at Shiamak’s institute for the past two years. She has progressed from being a non-dancer to becoming a co-instructor at the institute. “Before I joined the institute I would dance in front of the mirror. But today I have taken my hobby to a new level by learning professional dancing.”
She was quick to add that dancing comes with practice and dedication. “On weekends I practice at least five-six hours.”
Prabal Deshwal, 27, another Shiamak student, has given over 500 performances. “I have been especially auditioned by Shiamak. I am in his special potential batch (SPB). With hard work and dedication, one has great potential to grow in his institute.”
