­­From passion to success, Bidur Siwakoti’s dance journey

Bidur Siwakoti with his students. Photos: Aryan Dhimal

It is not possible to live without internet these days. Most of the youths depend on the internet for whatever they want to learn or get information about. However, there used to be a time when getting information was not an easy task.

Imagine yourself wanting to learn dance and you could not get any dance teacher. These days it’s just a click away to learn any dance form. Nevertheless, when you have the passion and urge to learn something you will find a way to do it.

Bidur Siwakoti, dance/founder of Movement Dance Academy, Baneshwor found his way to be who he is now due to his passion and determination. Since 2011 over 10,000 people from all age groups have learned dance from his academy. “I can continue in this field due to the support of my dance family who are my students and teachers,” says Siwakoti.

Initial days

Siwakoti hails from eastern Nepal from Panchthar district and was born as the fourth son among the six children. In his school days, he used to tag along with his friends for the Deusi-Bhailo programme, he loved the fun part of dance and music. “I never thought that I would be a dancer while I was in school. I would carry things for my friends during Deusi-Bhailo as I could not dance,” says Siwakoti, “But I knew I liked to dance and I had to go to Kathmandu if I wanted to do something out of my life.”

Hence, after his School Leaving Certificate (now Secondary Education Examination), he came to Kathmandu in 2061 BS and stayed with his elder brother. He joined Patan Campus and completed his grade 12. After his +2 education, he learned to dance for a few months and his need to be better led him towards the choreographer Purnam Rai’s dance academy, Star Academy. However, things did not happen as per his expectations. “I was there to learn dance from a famous choreographer and in his academy popular faces would also come to learn,” says Siwakoti, “Even after joining his class for one month, I was not good at picking up the steps, beats and timing.”

Looking at his slow progress, Rai told him that he was wasting his time and energy at the academy as he could not dance. However, Rai’s statement made Siwakoti even more determined to be a dancer and do something in the dance fraternity. “His statement that I could not dance was the turning point of my life,” says Siwakoti.

He would do his day job and later practice dance with his friend Sunil Shah who used to be Rai’s assistant in the dance academy. After three months of self-practice, he again joined Rai’s academy. This time he was able to teach steps to other students as well.

He was in the class and his friend who was leading the class asked him to step in his place that day as he had to go somewhere. He willingly agreed and was in his teaching mode with full enthusiasm. “I was conducting the class in a commanding way and listening to my voice Purnam sir came to the class. I was so scared at that time when he asked me to come to him,” says Siwakoti, “At that time, he congratulated me and said that he wanted this Bidur.”

Since then, Siwakoti has not looked back. He worked as Rai’s assistant choreographer for around five years and he worked in Nepali movies like Dulahi, Aafno Manche Aafnai Huncha and more.

Journey to dance academy

His family did not support his dance. “My family members didn’t know that I was learning dance. They came to know only after I established my dance academy.” After getting certified, Siwakoti established the Movement Dance Academy in 2011 where his expertise is in Nepali cultural dance and Bollywood freestyle dance. He also went to India in 2015 and did a basic dance course from Bollywood choreographer Terrence Lewis.

There used to be times when the neighbours would call the police due to the sound from the academy. But it’s not a problem anymore as he has built his studio with a soundproof system. However, just after investing in a soundproof studio, Covid-19 became a challenge for him. Nevertheless, he overcame the challenge due to the support he received during the difficult times.

Currently, the academy is thriving where regularly around 200 students come to learn different forms of dance and are enrolled in fitness classes. Here, no one has to go empty-handed as Siwakoti manages the classes according to the needs of the students. “I have hired teachers of different dance forms and I don’t teach hip-hop or classical dance,” says Siwakoti, “According to the need I help the students to get their desired course or class.”

These days the academy is also a platform where workshops of different dance forms and films take place. From morning to evening the classes are happening in a full-fledged way where one can get a friendly environment.

Siwakoti has plans to establish the academy’s branches in different parts of the county. Not only that he is looking forward to establishing a full-fledged fitness centre. “One has to have discipline and honesty to get success in life,” says Siwakoti, “With determination and hard work anything is possible.”