As the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi visited to Canada; preparations to make him feel at home were in full swing. In fact as soon as he landed in Ottawa, and Toronto The SHIAMAK Toronto Dance Team greeted him in true Indian style – Bollywood Style.
The Vancouver Dance Team also put up a high energy performance at the Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey.
The world’s biggest dance academy that has helped build cultural relations between India and the world was once again at the forefront of all the cultural celebrations during PM Modi’s visit in Canada. The Founder and Artistic Director of the academy, Shiamak Davar also happens to be a resident here and was recently honoured with the Governor General’s Visit Medallion and Citation for his dedication towards building friendship and cultural understanding between India and Canada.
Canada is first country outside of India where Shiamak started his dance school. For over a decade now Shiamak has made dance accessible for hundreds of dance enthusiasts across Canada giving them an opportunity to learn, perform and make their passion a profession. He was the official choreographer and co – director for the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA Awards in Vancouver, Canada) in 2013. From the shooting for the Bollywood blockbuster Taal at the Skydome (now Rogers Center, Toronto), The Unforgettable World Tour with the illustrious Bachchan family, the IIFA Awards (Toronto) to judging the reality based Bollywood dance show Bollywood Star Canada, he has been on a continuous journey to spread the joy of dance.
“It is an extremely impressive cultural contribution he has made, he has built a bridge between Canada and India through dance. Mr. Shiamak Davar has long been an unofficial ambassador for Canada in India. He’s a great friend of Canada who has brought Canadians and Indians closer together through the power of music and dance.’ said Consul General Richard Bale while handing over the medallion to Shiamak.
“Canada is a special place for me. The people and the scenic beauty always inspire my work. And over the years, whether it’s PM Harper or BC Premier Christy Clark, they both have such high regard for the performing arts. So for me, this is an extension of the cultural exchange that has been happening for decades. I am excited that PM Modi will get to see the place I call my second home”, said Shiamak. His dance team in Australia too performed for the PM during his visit to Melbourne.
At the TOIFA Awards, Premier Christy Clark said ‘My friend Shiamak is an example of what makes this Province great. A home in Mumbai, a home in North Vancouver; bridging countries, bridging cultures- This is who we are!’ Premier Clark visited SHIAMAK dance studio in Mumbai during her visit to India.
In fact, when Shiamak was the celebrity judge on the dance based reality show Dance Premier League; he invited Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to dance to Bollywood music on the show.
SHIAMAK Toronto Dance team meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi
SHIAMAK Vancouver Dance Team put up a high energy dance performance at the Surrey Hindu Mandir
