Shiamak Davar's Tesseract: A Theatrical Masterpiece Redefining Indian Dance
For more than forty years, Shiamak Davar has been a pioneering force in shaping the landscape of contemporary dance in India. His unique approach seamlessly blends global dance techniques with rich theatrical narratives, creating immersive experiences that captivate audiences. His latest venture, Tesseract – The Geometry of Truth, presented in collaboration with The Times of India, stands as one of his most ambitious theatrical explorations to date.
A Fusion of Art and Technology
This visually stunning musical play integrates dance, theatre, music, dialogue, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence. It challenges viewers to look beyond humanity's past and contemplate the future we are actively constructing. Mounted on a scale that rivals grand Broadway and West End productions, the show features lead performers Megan Murray and Pia Sutaria, supported by nearly a hundred dancers. Together, they weave movement, narrative, and advanced technology into a sweeping stage spectacle.
As Shiamak Davar takes on the dual roles of director and choreographer, he reflects on the intricate challenge of translating abstract philosophical concepts into rhythm, movement, and visual artistry. His goal is to continually push the boundaries of what Indian dance theatre can achieve.
Collaboration with The Times of India
In an exclusive interview, Davar expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with The Times of India. "I love the fact that this is literally like a tribute to The Times of India," he said. "Being the director and choreographer, I have tried to keep the script alive. What I really enjoyed was the creative process. I also thoroughly enjoyed designing the costumes and props, because that's my forte for all my shows. For me, it's been a wonderful climb."
Mounting a Grand Production
The production's magnitude, reminiscent of major international spectacles, brings both excitement and intimidation. Davar shared, "I'm always daunted. I cannot be content or look at projects and think that I've arrived. I'm always pushing—pushing myself, the crew, the dancers, and the choreography. I believe that I am always a work in progress. Every project is as important to me, whether it's a small project with eight dancers or a thousand dancers for big events. There's always a lot of work to be done. I'm never really satisfied till the production is entirely done."
Choreographing Philosophy and AI
The theme of Tesseract transitions from humanity to science and artificial intelligence, presenting a layered philosophical narrative. Davar explained the complexities involved: "That was the difficult part, to direct and choreograph it because the script weaves into the songs and the songs weave into the script with the audio visuals. My associate director Anahita Oberoi worked with me a lot in blending the scenes with the actors. The script is unusual. It's literally like another fourth-dimensional script. 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."
Creating Fluid and Dynamic Choreography
To ensure the choreography resonates with audiences while remaining visually dynamic, Davar focused on simplicity and power. "I had to keep the choreography simple but effective and powerful visually. Since I love designing my costumes and props, I try to blend that with the whole theme of each song. 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
The production also features ballet and tap dancing, forms not widely explored in India. Davar brought in two dancers from Los Angeles—Matisse and Aaron—to showcase these styles. "So, there's ballet, tap, jazz, funk, Shiamak style, and contemporary. The script required all of this," he noted.
The Importance of Ballet in Dance Training
Davar emphasized the critical role of ballet in dance education. "Ballet is key for all dancers. If there's no ballet training, it's very difficult for dancers to push their potential. Even if you're doing hip-hop, jazz, funk, house—any form requires ballet. When Timothée Chalamet said ballet and opera are not his thing, I think he's misinformed about the arts. 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," he passionately stated.
Tesseract – The Geometry of Truth is not just a performance; it is a transformative experience that invites audiences to engage with profound questions about truth and the future, all through the universal language of dance and innovation.
