Life Lessons of a Dance Guru's Journey: Jasmine Shah on The Powerful Student-Teacher Bond and Pursuing the Creative Arts
“I may be their guru, but at times we are like a team. Teaching has taught me patience and tolerance, and the need to enjoy first, win later. It taught me to find solutions to any problem, as and when they come.” Today’s woman dreamer, Jasmine Shah, is a classical dance guru. Growing up in a liberal, Gandhian family, her family always encouraged her to pursue her passion for creativity, including dancing, acting, and teaching. She shares her journey in the world of dance, the importance of a strong student-teacher bond, and the life lessons she has learned along the way that she hopes to bring to the next generation of dancers. Enjoy her wonderful story below!
1) Tell us about your background, and what led you to be so passionate about dancing.
I grew up in a liberal, Gandhian family. My mom, a montessorie school principal and my dad, a businessman, were very progressive in their thoughts. They both encouraged and supported me in my extra-curricular activities as they valued art and culture. In fact, my mom and aunt, both were dancers. My aunt even had her own dance school, so dance is in my blood and has always been my passion.
As a young girl, I had many opportunities to dance and act in my school, and local organizations. I learned Bharatanatyam and Manipuri at 'Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan' in Mumbai. Apart from my traditional dance training, I learned from many other choreographers such as Niranjana Bhargava, Leela Bhansali, and my own aunt, Kokila Choksi.
Apart from dance, acting is also my passion. I have acted and worked with well-known professional Gujarati groups; Tarak Mehta being one of them. At St. Xaviers college in Mumbai, I had the opportunity to act with well-known actors like Shabana Azmi, Farooq Sheikh, and Satish Shah. Even after coming to Boston, I was lucky to find friends with the same background, with whom I continued my Gujarati theatre journey, performing in many award-winning plays across the US and Canada.
I started my dance school, 'Aangikam Dance Academy' in 1982. Initially it was difficult to get students, since at that time, the population of Indians was much less in the US than it is today, and many were more so inclined to adapting American culture than holding on to their own. As time went by, I was lucky enough to build a network of friends who believed in me, trusted me and supported me in my endeavors.
2) You have been a classical dancer and a teacher in the New England area for over 38 years. What are some of the life lessons that you have learned from dancing and teaching others to dance.
Dancing has forced me to research and learn more about the history, traditions, art and culture of India. Dancing is also very calming, and a stress reliever. When I started sharing my passion of dance, I began valuing things which I never thought of earlier. For one, understanding an artform and teaching an art form are two different things. After becoming a teacher, myself, I also have newfound respect for my own gurus. Teaching has taught me patience and tolerance, and they need to enjoy first, win later. It taught me to find solutions to any problem, as and when they come.
3) Your students learn so much from you. What have your learned from your students.
My students have taught me patience, and at times they also push me to find new strengths in my own abilities. I may be their guru, but at times we are like a team. Together we often find solutions to problems. There is also a very strong bond between a teacher and a student. Even today I am in touch with my former students. I would like to mention that there was time when I also taught girls with special abilities. To see them smile and enjoy made me further realize that joy and happiness from within is much more important than seeking perfection at all aspects of life.
4) You are a very creative person, constantly reinventing and doing new things. What are some of your upcoming projects and/or dreams that you have.
I am currently looking for the right platform, where I can present some of my thought-provoking ideas, through various dance forms, with creative choreography.
During my yearly visit, I spend time with unprivileged children, trying to give them a broader vision of life so that they are inspired to strive for a better future. Going forward, I hope to spend more time volunteering in India.
I would also like to help and raise funds for a group that my sister in law has started, which focuses on the upliftment of the unprivileged, by providing them food, clothing, medical treatment and education...
At the end of the day, dancing will always be my first passion. At any age, I will identify myself with dancing.