Winter Funk gets warm applause

With shimmies, ripples, rolls and twists it was a delectable fare of dance moves at the Shiamak Winter Funk held recently at Robert Blackwood Hall in Monash University. The clever and the cute got together to perform on Shiamak’s trademark combination of gymnastic drills, graceful arabesques and rhythmic fusion of Indo Jazz. Shiamak’s vocabulary of movement consists both of contemporary dance with blasts of high impact flashiness and the luminous fluidity of traditional and classical Indian dancing. Either way, the final product on stage offers a visual feast especially for the new observer.

It all began with the Commonwealth Games in 2006 where Shiamak and his group choreographed and performed at the closing ceremony. Melbournians were hooked and Shiamak opened his first dance school in Australia. The Shiamak Indo Jazz Dance Movement (SIJDM) have now completed four successful years in Melbourne and are growing by leaps and bounds. They are planning to start classes in Sydney soon. Their affiliation to Bollywood and Bollywood stars gives them extra leverage and popularity among dance lovers.

An average Shiamak student loves the funky fusion of jazz and Indian dances, enjoys the workout that the sessions offer and belongs/adheres to the mindset that it is hip to be Indian. The expressive potential of Indo Jazz has found appeal amongst all ages and the mainstream Australian community as well. Shiamak’s dance troupe comprising of his special potential batch, Shiamak show kids and local instructors, are constantly in demand at events and celebrations. The Summer and Winter Funk are annual events where students from SJDM perform to an audience. It is a stage production with costumes, props rehearsals etc., to showcase the talent of SIJDM students.

The Shiamak Winter Funk this year was no different to the others in terms of feverish excitement of the performers, glittery outfits, Bollywood medleys and nonstop entertainment. There were varying degrees of expertise with some stand out performers, some not so bad movers and some rhythmically challenged first timers. They all won points for trying, if not for talent. Of note in this show was increasingly fine tuned group work by Shiamak’s instructors Vihang, Deepti, Darshan, Mehak, Sahil, Ankush and Radhika. Years of training were visible in their dance movements as they led their bodies into the rhythm of desired emotions and surrendered to the inspiration of their souls.

Yes, for someone who has attended numerous Shiamak events it can get repetitive at times, but in the midst of all the familiarity there are always sparks of newness that keep you interested. MCs for the evening Manisha and Sahil, also tried new gimmicks to keep the audience entertained. The cutie-pies and teeny-boppers warmed the heart, especially of their parents and family members who were in attendance. The seniors got a thunderous applause and it all ended on a feel good note. The tried and tested formula of popular music, fast paced dance steps and shimmery costumes worked its magic yet again. The result - a fairly engaged and satisfied audience that did not hesitate to show their collective appreciation

Preeti Jabbal