Shiamak Davar's Tesseract: A Revolutionary Fusion of Dance, Theater and AI
For more than forty years, Shiamak Davar has been the architect of contemporary dance in India, masterfully blending international techniques with rich theatrical narratives. His latest and most ambitious production, Tesseract – The Geometry of Truth, presented by The Times of India, represents a monumental leap in Indian stagecraft. This visually immersive musical play integrates dance, theater, music, dialogue, and artificial intelligence to provoke audiences into contemplating not humanity's past, but the future we are actively constructing.
A Spectacle on a Grand Scale
Mounted with the grandeur of Broadway and West End productions, Tesseract assembles lead performers Megan Murray and Pia Sutaria alongside nearly one hundred dancers. The show weaves movement, narrative, and cutting-edge technology into a sweeping theatrical experience. As both director and choreographer, Davar faced the formidable challenge of translating abstract, philosophical concepts into rhythm, movement, and visual spectacle, thereby expanding the boundaries of Indian dance theater.
Collaboration and Creative Process
Discussing the collaboration with The Times of India, Davar expressed his enthusiasm, noting it as a tribute to the publication. He emphasized his holistic approach, which includes keeping the script dynamic and personally designing costumes and props—a signature strength in all his productions. The journey, he described, has been a rewarding ascent.
When asked about the intimidation and excitement of such a large-scale project, Davar revealed a perpetual drive for improvement. "I'm always daunted. I cannot be content or think I've arrived. I'm always pushing—myself, the crew, the dancers, the choreography. I believe I am always a work in progress," he stated, underscoring that every project, regardless of size, holds equal importance.
Choreographing Philosophy and Technology
The production's theme—transitioning from humanity to science and AI—is deeply philosophical and layered. Davar acknowledged the difficulty in choreographing such concepts, crediting associate director Anahita Oberoi for her role in blending scenes with actors. The script by Zaveri is described as unusual, akin to a fourth-dimensional narrative. "I like to push boundaries. I want the audience to think, 'What is this and what are we talking about?' It's not a usual love story. It's something really different from our space. Tesseract will put you on a quest to find the purpose of truth," Davar explained.
His approach to choreography focused on simplicity, effectiveness, and visual power, seamlessly integrating costumes and props with each song's theme. "Everything has to become one—the visuals, theme, costumes, acting, and the songs. The violin will tell me what to do, the drums will tell me what to do, the script will tell me what to do," he elaborated.
Incorporating Global Dance Forms
Tesseract also incorporates ballet and tap, forms less explored in India. Davar flew in two dancers from Los Angeles—Matisse and Aaron—specializing in tap and ballet, respectively. The production features a diverse mix including jazz, funk, Shiamak style, and contemporary, as required by the script.
On the growth of ballet in India, Davar emphasized its foundational importance. "Ballet is key for all dancers. Without ballet training, it's very difficult for dancers to push their potential. Even hip-hop, jazz, funk, house—any form requires ballet," he asserted. He countered actor Timothée Chalamet's dismissal of ballet and opera, stating, "Without ballet, opera, and the arts, you won't understand the discipline. The arts are something else. It's like God comes within you. Dance, song, acting, poetry, painting—the arts are alive, far more than before."
Production Details and Run
Tesseract: The Geometry of Truth is produced by The Times of India, with concept and visualization by Meera Jain. The show is scheduled to run from 16 to 22 March 2026 at the NCPA in Mumbai, offering audiences a unique opportunity to witness this groundbreaking theatrical exploration.
