Himanshu Guru, OP
Dancer Suryan Rath has had to work hard to earn recognition on national television and wants to choreograph for Hindi films as imitating the mesmeric steps of cine stars has always been his overriding passion…
It is a matter of pride for Orissa that many youngsters from the state have proved their mettle at the national and global level. Meet Suryan Rath who deserves kudos for his expertise in western dance styles. A choreographer under Bosco Caesar’s dance company, Suryan receives professional training in Mumbai. He came to Bhubaneswar recently to choreograph and act in the Oriya film ‘Ajatshatru’ and to conduct a series of dance workshops.
Suryan has earned appreciation for his performance in several reality shows. He reached the finals of ETV’s ‘One two cha cha cha’ in 2007 and Tarang channel’s ‘Dance Challenge’ in 2012 as well as the semi-final in Tarang TV’s ‘Dhoom Machale’ in 2011. He was the runner-up in Colors Odia’s ‘Dancing Star’ in 2015 and appeared in ‘Best of Odisha’ and ETV’s ‘Dance Dhamaal’ in 2013. He was also a mentor in MBC TV’s ‘Tara rum pum’ in 2014.
At the national level, Suryan made it to the top 24 in ‘Dance+’ of Star plus in 2015 and entered the top 50 in &TV’s ‘So you think you can dance’ in 2016. He has worked with the renowned choreographer Terence Lewis in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’, India’s first English musical. He has also worked with Bertwin D’Souza for ‘Gandhi – The musical’. The dancer has judged 60 plus inter-school and inter-college dance competitions in Assam, Mumbai, Pune, Ranchi and Orissa.
Reflecting on the initial days of his career, Suryan said: “As a child I was very fond of Hindi films and wanted to dance like the heroes. I loved dancing at marriage processions too. Back then dance was not such a craze among youngsters as it was not the age of reality TV. Moreover, my father was not interested to see me become a dancer. I was a timid boy and nobody thought I would prosper in life. Later, when I became a professional dancer, I made up my mind to move to Mumbai to become a choreographer. I calculated that my dream was big and couldn’t be realised in the state. When I was a Class XII student, I joined a dance class where one of my friends was a student. On the third day after I joined the academy, I decided to make career in dance.”
“As a professional dancer I first joined the MRS dance group in 2006, receiving lessons from Rakesh sir, Sanjay sir and Mahendra sir for a year. Subsequently, I received training under Batakrushna Pushpalak sir who trained me about presentation, body language and many other essential factors. Under his able guidance, I became popular in Puri after a few performances. Later in 2011, I met Biswarup sir. He wanted to know whether I was ready to perform in a dance show that would be launched in Tarang channel. It was like a dream come true for me. I was dying to dance for TV and got the debut offer. I immediately accepted it. Soon I got another offer. After doing two shows I felt that I needed to learn many more things. Eventually, I found that I should also learn classical to hone myself as a complete dancer. Accordingly, I took Odissi training under Gurus Ashok Ghoshal and Bandita Ghosal,” Suryan said.
Praising his mentor Biswarup, the young dancer said: “Biswarup sir is widely known not just in the state but at the national level too. He is an expert in many dance forms. I was passionate to learn under him. Back then I was in dire need of expert training because I was only doing film dancing. He taught me contemporary, jazz, salsa, afro, folk and many other styles. I turned into a versatile dancer under his tutelage. Under him I did seven shows in the state and three on national TV and became a celebrity dancer. I respect him like my father. I feel if every dancer in Orissa get training under him, the whole scenario will change.”
Son of Saraswati and Ladu Kishor Rath of Lokanath Road in Puri, Suryan, aged 28, passed HSC from Gadadhara High School and then graduated from SCS College, Puri. “My mother and brother, Ravi Narayan, are my inspiration. They have supported me all through,” the dancer said.
Suryan has worked both in the Hindi and Oriya film industries. Asked what were the differences between the two industries, he said: “In Mumbai talent is praised. They respect art, artists and good work. However, in Orissa only reference and connection work and people don’t want to accept change. They just want to follow the routine pattern and don’t think it necessary to take bold risks and adopt new patterns. For a newbie it is very tough to find work in the state.”
“I would like to represent my state as a choreographer in the Hindi film industry so that people come to know that artistes from Orissa, so few in number in Mumbai, are creative and talented too,” he signed off.
