BORN TO DANCE
His name is almost synonymous with the term Contemporary Dance. Internationally trained and a specialist in contemporary and neo-classical dance forms, Terence Lewis has come a long way.
Team Abraxas caught up with the celebrity choreographer and dance reality show judge for a quick chat.
Excerpts from the interview:
What was your family’s reaction when you said you wanted to be a dancer?
My family didn’t approve of my wanting to take up dancing as a career. Given that in my family (with a total of 8 children) basic necessities were the need of the day, my family thought it was very pompous of me to think of dance. The passion that I had was not accepted as genuine, more like frivolous.
I was asked to continue it as a hobby if I wanted, but to get a reputed job that would pay as soon as I finished college.
At one stage, you started fitness sessions for celebs. What made you shift from dance to fitness? How was the experience?
I tried taking pure Jazz ballet class at the YMCA, but soon re
alised that people were not yet open to Dance, especially Western forms. So I underwent training at Talwalkars for fitness to be able to reach out to an audience. Therein, I incorporated dance moves and routines to peppy English and Hindi tracks. My students were soon hooked. Everyone from Gauri Khan to Madhuri Dixit loved it and very soon fitness centres everywhere started calling me to take classes. I landed up teaching some of the biggest names at very reputed places like The Club, Idea Gym, and the YMCA.
Although I enjoyed all of it, I knew it was just a stepping stone to what I wished to pursue further – dance, choreography, direction…
What was the turning point of your life?
The turning point in my life came in 1996-97 when Jaan Freeman, an American modern contemporary dancer came down to Mumbai to teach the Horton style. I didn’t know that this style even existed and was surprised at the simplicity of it. Where Jazz and Ballet belonged to dancers who wanted to show off their skill and advocate a feeling of superiority over the audience, modern contemporary dance was way different in its principles and approach. Natural, compassionate and having a sense of release and ease, the dancer looked humane and yet spoke beautifully through his body not using the overt gesticulating of the face as is popular in any classical dance. The body was considered sacred and used as a tool to communicate
. The technique hence was harder as its subtle nuances were not easy to catch. I fell completely in love with modern and contemporary dance and that was the genesis for me.
After I finished training rigorously for 3 months, he left me a long goodbye note and said that he saw the future of modern dance in me and if I wanted to train further, to go for the summer intensive at Ailey (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York). With no savings and no knowledge of how I’d travel to a big city like New York, I took a loan and took my first ever flight to the biggest City of Dreams – New York.
What’s your take on dance talent shows? Do you think they really help in building up one’s career?
Dance reality shows are a double-edged sword! It’s a stepping board to instant fame and recognition for the dancer and an opportunity to showcase his talent and uniqueness! The fame starts waning by the time the next show comes up and the quick fame recedes.
Dancers who were once title winners soon get disillusioned. Hence it’s important to understand that they need to handle their success and fame and make the most out of it while the sun still shines. They should also get a reality check that the fame is transient and not let it ruin them because easy come easy go. TV audiences are fickle – the next dancing superstar will soon take their attention!
How does it feel to be a judge on one of those shows?
It’s great to see new talent from all over India. I am constantly learning from each of these beautiful dancers and for me that’s special. I’m eternally grateful to be a student of dance – a student of life.
What’s your take on the young talent?
Young talent should continue training as their minds and bodies are more receptive to learning. Once the mind is closed, the body develops resistance to learning new techniques. So the trick is to keep believing there is a child within who’s yearning to learn and observe.
How different is choreography from dancing?
Dancing is solely single or two dimensional, whereas Choreography requires a 3D vision, it needs an eagle eye vision, a panoramic view.
Who are your favourite choreographers?
Oh there are many – Akram Khan (UK), ShobhanaJeyasingh, and Susanne Linke( Germany) to just name a few.
Do you think anybody can dance?
Yes I do believe in ABCD (Any Body Can Dance), but not everyone has it in them to take up dance as a serious career option. Only those who can’t live without dance can dance like a dancer can.
Is professional training a must?
Professional training is an absolute must. We have to grow and evolve as dancers – we can’t remain stagnant with the same routines. A dancer always seeks to enthrall the self with newer discoveries, moves and eventually entertains his or her audience. Training regularly keeps the mind and body occupied and is an enlightening experience whatever one’s age.
What would you say about your journey and evolution as a choreographer and as a person?
I’m constantly evolving, metamorphosing, and I’m an avid learner of life. My journey in dance has now led me to seek newer journeys and for that I’m eternally grateful. I’m still learning to take life easy. I tend to be too much of a perfectionist, but I’m slowly learning to also enjoy life at a slow pace once a while and take things easy.
Do you have any dreams?
Yes. When they do come true, you’ll know.
Do you have any regrets
Not really. I look at all situations as experiences and opportunities.
Tell us about your upcoming projects.
I’m always curious to try new stuff and I have a great team that helps me make it happen. An international musical is currently a work in progress.
If not a choreographer, what would you have been?
I’m an artist so everything in an artist’s realm will be on my agenda. Acting, directing, interiors, costumes, art, story telling… you name it and I’ll have an interest in it. I’m glad I’m inquisitive and a child-like curiosity to life.
Do you have any wishes?
Oh plenty, that list is endless. Top of that list would be to a top of the class centre or building for dance professionals where dance training with the best, performances, idea exchanges, movie presentations, and a great Cafeteria are all under one roof. That also needs funding – so my team and I are working on it.
After all, we have to give back what we have received and more.
