We wondered how the fascination with dancing started off. “For an art class, I once had to attend a modern dance show and write a college paper on it. I noticed how the performers were channelling deep emotions, beautiful techniques and an electric energy on stage. I’ve never seen anything quite like it before.” Intrigued, he instantly took up a modern dance class and there was no looking back from there. Helping out in the dance clubs, Mashrur had a swell time interacting with new dancers.
“Teaching new dancers is actually fun, nerves isn’t an issue. You take shy, new people, and show them modern dance basics, and gradually but inevitably, they become comfortable and surprised by their dancing abilities.”
Learning different genres of dance broadens one’s horizons and it becomes easier to appreciate the difference in various cultures. Mashrur feels he can understand a culture much better from its dance form. He says: “There is beauty in everything and I have learnt to love each culture with an open mind. Eastern classical dance is very ‘hand and expression’ based, and there’s not much touching involved. Western classical dance is very body oriented and has frequent body interactions. Mexican dances are rhythmic, while African dances are very tribal and ritualistic. Different countries in the world use their bodies differently to express their joys and emotions.”
Bangladesh has a very closed view when it comes to pursuing “out of the box” professions. Imagine a guy telling his parents that he aspires to be a dancer like Michael Jackson; that would be the end of the world for his parents. Mashrur chuckles: “You’d be surprised by the number of guys in dance companies in America. It’s an open country and gender really isn’t an issue. But living as a professional dancer is not easy. Most of the experienced dancers sacrifice a lot in their lives, carry multiple jobs or live by the paycheck. The only thing that keeps them going is their passion and love for the art medium. Considering the peer pressure and social stigmas, I don’t think guys in Bangladesh can handle that reality.”
Now in Bangladesh, Mashrur is currently working with the famous Bangladeshi theatre company, Prachyanat, and he reflects back on his performances in Dallas.
He states: “Shows in Prachyanat have dance as a part of a segment. My job was to create choreography that could integrate acting and dancing together. The result was unique and the audience loved it. In Dallas, I primarily work with dance companies with an entirely American audience, hence the shows are drastically different. The Western style I was brought up on is different from the Bangladeshi culture, so my artistic home lies in Dallas.” Being a part of such a prestigious theatrical company, we wonder how many prizes and awards he has under his belt. His humble answer was a refreshing breather: “In America, there is a whole different segment called competition dancing, which gives out awards. However, I’m involved with performance companies which are ticket selling shows. So I’ve been well reviewed by critics, but awards aren’t really involved here. Getting to dance is the prize.”
Tell us one funny experience from the time you were learning/teaching dance. I once did a show and our dance company had just me and 20 girls. Naturally the rehearsal conversations only contained topics of nail-polish, hairstyle, make-up, boyfriends. teddy bears, and coloured socks. I didn’t understand a thing, it’s an alien world. It was a tough couple of months.
Which dancers inspire you and why? I love the dancers from Momix, Pilobolus and Lili Cai dance companies. They’re always creating something new, visually exciting, and pushing the boundaries of art.
Did anything spontaneous lately? Yeah, last night I wrote a couple of poems, I enjoy free writing.
Dance performance that made you emotional and why? My last performance as a university student. Because it closed a chapter in my carefree life.
What’s your guilty pleasure? Chocolates and ice cream. That’s my secret to happiness.
