Shahidul Islam Babu: A dancer with artistic talent

Shahidul Islam Babu has created an aura of exquisite dancing in the sphere of Manipuri and folk dance. In each of his performance he tells wonderful stories with the help of his graceful body movements. Abhinaya or expressional acting plays a very important role in his style. He states, “Dance is a type of acting. It is through these expressions that we can reach the audience and explain the whole theme. That is why perfection during limb movements and facial expressions is significant.”
The dancer says, “I have been involved with Bulbul Lalitkala Academy for about a decade. I passed out from the institution and am presently an instructor there. I mastered the art of Manipuri dance from Chayanaut and my teachers were Sharmila Bandyopadhay, Tamanna Rahman and Shantibala Sinha. Minu Haque guided me to master the techniques of Odissi.” Contemplating his love for folk dance, Babu states, “ It is through this medium that we can showcase the rich cultural heritage of our country internationally. Moreover, we can keep our tradition alive through folk dances which will help to bring people together from all parts of our country to a single platform on which they can perform and help promote national cohesiveness.”
Talking about trinkets and costumes he says “Ghungur (ankle bells) is very important for any dancer. It is required for taal. You can tap your foot for taal but the tinkle of the bell makes all the difference. I am usually comfortable with simple panjabi, pajama and dhoti. I try to avoid zari works. Sometime a small ornament might also be necessary. Basically one has to wear what the performance demands.”
Conversing about his schedule he said “We usually have a heavy schedule during winter. What makes it more hectic is that I am also a music and dance instructor in a school and have to give sufficient time to our Pallavi Dance Centre in Gulshan. Senior dancers like Minu Haque and Anik Bose are a crucial part of the Centre. Bharatanatyam, folk, Manipuri, Odissi classical almost all types of genres are taught here.” Talking about his students he says, “I have a very good relationship with them. My dream is to make them proficient so that they can create a realm of sophistication through dance not only in the country but in foreign lands as well.”