Subhash Viman Gorania.
The last time I wrote was about my journey as a dancer.
Since then I have been toying with the idea of exploring the journeys of
amazing artists across globe who have chosen dance as a medium to bring about a
change and inspire young minds. Its taken more time to materialise the idea but
as they say ‘Better late than Never’. I am fortunate enough to have Subhash as
the first artist to encourage me in my pursuits……..
A budding artist from the UK, Subhash born in Gujarat
(India) and brought up in Leicester (UK) was always born to dance. Not until 23,
a graphic designer with a dream to work with Disney did Subhash realise that
his true passion lies in Dance. When I asked him how did it all start his
casual response was ‘One fine day Dance just happened.’ In his formative years
as a beginner Subhash was highly influenced by Hip-Hop and Contemporary/Modern
Contemporary dance forms. It was only later when he was introduced to the
Indian classical forms namely Bharatanatyam and Kathak. Rigorous training in
Indian classical dance under acclaimed guru’s, Bharatanayam from Chitraleka
Bolar and Chhaya Kanavate and Kathak from Nilima Devi MBE and Asha Joglekar, have
added panache to his dance skills.
In
my research I came across a beautiful dance piece Immersion by Subhash. What
inspired me the most was the description of the piece. It said ‘In the testing times that we live in, there are
many external factors that are basis for countless human emotions. Weather our
lives are simple or complex, it is emotion that drives us all.’ The demonstration of anger, anxiety, love,
hatred and numerous other human emotions through music and dance is ever
enticing.
Top five with Subhash J
What inspired
you to take up dance as your profession?
Nothing (laughs). In my growing up years I was bullied a lot
and one particular incident left me
hospitalised for a month. It later encouraged me to leave university studies
and pursue graphic designing instead, I simultaneously joined a dance academy.
That’s when the transition happened. Dance has since then been my love and my
life.
Who is your
role model?
I do not have any role models per say but I would like to
work in collaboration with Hofesh Shechter (a renouned dancer choreographer
from Isreal). Amazing talent…
What is your
daily routine?
I start early usually with a jog and then heavy breakfast. We
start training at around 10 am and go on till 6pm or even later depending on the
production schedules.
Your
favourite movie star?
I am a huge comic books fan (although don’t get much time to
read them now). I have grown up watching X-Men, Avengers, Spider Man, etc so
you could say fantasy is my personal favorite jondre. In Bollywood I would say
Shahrukh Khan is one person I look up to.
Talk more
about your next dance piece?
My current project is a triple bill solo. Its sponsored by
the Arts Council England. Its consists of three solos wherein I have
collaborated with three different contemporary choreographers. The first one is
called
1.Morphed:
A collaboration with Bangalore contemporary choreographer Veena Basavarajiah. It
talks about prejudice and misconceptions that rule human behaviour manifested
through the emulation of Indian male dieties.
2. Fly from: A collaboration with contemporary choreographer Saju Hari. The piece is a metopher to ‘All that glitters is not Gold’. It talks about the vicious life cycle where in we have reached the Iron Age (technology) that enhances life but at the same time it is the reason for destruction.
3.The final one is called ‘Three’: Death is the inevitable truth. This piece talks about the journey of a mortal being from birth to the nonexistence. It captures the essence of life and what you leave behind when you fade away in the darkness of death.(The piece ends with me and a single light bulb defining mortality)
Interesting fact is that Subhash happens to be my
brother-in-law. Well what can I say Tanvi(sister) ‘One hell of a choice;-)’. Tanvi
has given him a dance name ‘SHIV’. True to its origins Subhash does emulate
Lord Shiva (the lord of Love, Natya and Nritya: Natraj). It is always good to
meet people who share the same passion as you do. Subhash has a bright future
ahead of him and I hope someday I do get to perform live with him.
Mansi Nagda.
