Biography

He is credited with introducing Western forms of dance to India; he himself created Shiamak's Indo-Jazz, a fusion dance style combining Western Jazz technique and Indian movement.

Davar's choreography and entertainment design have represented India at several global events, like the World Economic Forum Davos 2006, the launch of the Indo-Japan Friendship Year Tokyo 2007, the India-Canada Business Partnership Summit Toronto 2008, and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

He runs Shiamak Davar's Institute for the Performing Arts (S.D.I.P.A.), a renowned dancing school in his name. Established in 1991, all types of dances are taught at the Institute. Reasons for joining S.D.I.P.A. are not limited to dancing aspirations; one can join up for fun, to make friends and/or to lose weight. Originally S.D.I.P.A. had two centres, both situated in Bombay - there are now branches in Bangalore, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Madras and Pune.

Shiamak is a gifted singer and has performed with musician Sting.

In 2000 he established the Victory Arts Foundation (V.A.F), a non-profit organization committed to making dance a meaningful experience (through classes) for those who are underprivileged, physically/mentally challenged or HIV positive. The V.A.F. endeavours to use the power of the performing arts to bring joy to special students.

About Yash Chopra : "I'm really touched that he thought about me. Everybody says, "You're good," but no one ever offered me anything."

The SDIPA motto: "Have feet, will dance!"

[observation, 2013] When I started off twenty years ago, Bollywood dance did not have a structure. The first movie I choreographed went on to win a national award and introduced jazz technique to Bollywood. It was a first for Indian cinema to have properly choreographed pieces with dancers who were trained and had fit bodies. This movie - 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' - is considered a turning point for dance in Bollywood movies.

Dance is a celebration of life, it is such an integral part of our culture. And what better than doing something that gives you joy and also gets you fit!

Dance and fitness found a new meaning when people saw the first Bollywood film that I choreographed. Since then, one thing that has been a constant is extremely fit dancers. What people considered as a revolution of sorts thirty years back, has now become a norm.