Mumbai gains two new venues for performance artistes

We waded through flooded potholedroads chaotic traffic and heavy downpour to reach Nritya Shakti a new dance studio launched by dancer Shakti Mohan Located in a tiny lane near Bangur Nagar in Goregaon the studio was far from accessible for us When we reached the sixth floor of the building where the studio is located and stepped out into the narrow balcony the stress of our long journey disappeared within moments The balcony overlooked the Goregaon mangroves and a nullah which transforms into a lake in the monsoonShakti Mohan practises a move at Nritya ShaktiDressed in an LBD and white sneakers an elated Shakti Mohan greeted us into the 2800 sqfeet studio ldquoI wanted to create a space where dancers feel free to innovate and create movements The view from the studio is relaxing and I can spend hours hererdquo shares Mohan who discovered the space accidentally ldquoOwning a studio was a dream I was doing a photo shoot in the building opposite this one I loved the view and casually exclaimed that it would be perfect to own a dance studio here The photographer told me that the building right across had a space available He showed it to me from outside The next day I came here with my parents who loved it and we finalised the placerdquo adds Mohan who has been a professional dancer for a decade nowThe Wall of Inspiration features photos of her dance gurus Pics Prabhanjan DhanuThe entrance to the studio is neat with offwhite walls and dark wooden furniture The space houses a small studio meant for solo and duet dances and a large one that can accommodate bigger dance troupes Apart from mirrors the studio offers the spectacular view that is also visible from the balcony through large glass windows Therersquos a small meeting room for choreographers to have lsquocorporatestylersquo discussions too The high point though is a cosy viewing room that one can reach via a short flight of stairs With rugs comfy cushions low seating and viewing windows that allow you to see the goingson at both studios without being physically present at the rehearsal this space is most interestingShakti Mohan with her idol Madhuri Dixit Nene left on the sets of a reality TV showMohanrsquos favourite spot is the Wall Of Inspiration where one can spot photographs of Terence Lewis Neeti Mohan Remo DrsquoSouza Madhuri Dixit Nene and some of Mohanrsquos other dance gurus ldquoThey are the reason I started dancing I was a topper in university and everyone thought Irsquod appear for IAS Initially when my elder sister Neeti started dancing everyone at home was against it She fought our battles too By the time it was our turn my sister Mukti and I the doors had opened Neeti was in Ashley Loborsquos company in Delhi We watched her and learnt Terence taught me dance like you would study any other subject while doing a Masters He didnrsquot think I was cut out for reality shows and that motivated me to participate in and win Dance India Dance Season 2rdquo shared Mohan while we scanned the other photographs on the wallWhen we congratulated her on having designed a chiclooking space she confessed that her dad is the interior designer ldquoI was heading to USA for a tour and I found the place just before leaving I had four contrasting ideas that my dad felt were too confusing He designed the space on his own and handled the labour toordquo she laughed The studio features a sound system bought in Chennai that was recommended by AR Rahmanrsquos sound engineers and will soon hold regular programmesclasses for both professional dancers and amateursAt Nritya Shakti 602 Shri Sai Corporate Park Bangur Nagar Goregaon W Call 09766596944