Arts

A born dancer and choreographer

Sameer D. Kazi:

by Ranga Chandrarathne

A professional choreographer from India, Sameer commenced his career as early as a six year old and did his first professional show at the age of 12. Then onwards Sameer embarked on a journey that took him all over the Middle East and many other cities. He toured extensively in the Middle East performing with an Arabian band. He was brought up in Kuwait along with his parents and brother.

"Sri Lankans are immensely talented and there is absolutely no necessity to bring down dancers from Mumbai. What is needed are a few hours of rehearsal and practice. I feel that Sri Lanka has a huge potential and the only thing that is required is to train them really well and spend some extra hours with them in rehearsal halls", said Sameer D. Kazi who has become a sensation in the arena of entertainment in Sri Lanka.

Sameer's passion for dance gained him immense recognition right from school days where he was the favourite with all his teachers and the principal of the Indian School Kuwait. They would look up to him for all school concerts and performances.

He then moved to India where he hails from. Due to the gulf war in the early 90's, He immediately caught the attention of all his college mates and professors at the Rizvi College in Mumbai, India winning all the inter-collegiate dance championships he took part in. Thus, realising the fact that dance and performance is what he strives and lives for.

Alisha Chinoy, Suchitra Krishnamurthy, Shaan and Sagarika, Daler Mehendi and Asha Bhosle are a few to name whom Sameer has worked with.

In the year 2000 Sameer joined Star Management Group as head of operations and further broadened his horizons with Event management. Star Management Group held accounts for Top of the line bollywood Celebrities such as Sanjay Dutt, Sushmita Sen, Priety Zinta, Tabu, Twinkle Khanna and Suman Ranganathan.

The International Indian Film Academy Awards at Suncity, South Africa in 2001 was Sameer's first and biggest experience with over 300 Bollywood celebrities.

In 2003 Sameer was appointed by Zee Tele Networks to Co-Direct the FairGlow Zee Cine Awards 2003, India's premiere Film Awards Ceremony held at the Tulip Star Hotel in Juhu, Mumbai.

Currently residing in Sri Lanka, Sameer has created waves with energetic TV Commercials such as Rollo, Necto, Anchor, Newdale-Yolly, Ponds, Dialog GSM and Asian Paints, Royale. High Profile Events for SAARC Womens' Association at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, The Launch of Ronique, Sri Lanka's First Designer Jewellery Store at the Hilton Hotel Colombo.

Imran Saibo, Director of Funtime was the first person Sameer came across in Sri Lanka. Being Sri Lanka's number one Event Organisers, Imran introduced Sameer to Bhathiya and Santhush the pop icons of Sri Lanka. Sameer thanks Imran for his unconditional help and support and states that working with him is a joy and pleasure.

Today Sameer and Bhathiya n Santhush are not only professionally involved but are also great friends. Sameer Choreographed the infamous track "Nacho" from Bhathiya n Santush's latest album "Ayubowan Namaste" at the BMICH for the Launch.

"From Mumbai, I moved on to Sri Lanka where I had my first TV commercial for Rollo, and for Manchi and many other companies such as Dialogue. I specialized in event management. So I conceptualized and choreographed my own events.

I did an event for Ronnique, a designer jewellery stores at Ward Place. I also did an event for SAARC Women's Associations with 12 dancers. One of the memorable events that I managed was the launch of Bhathiya-Santhush's album 'Ayubowan-Namaste' which is released in India for universal music. I did one song called 'Nacho' which was appreciated by the audience.

I am planning a tour of India with Bhathiya and Santhush covering major cities such as Madras, Goa, Kolkatta and Bangalore," said Sameer.

Marvels at Chillies 2007

The audience at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre was amazed to witness the extraordinary performance by Sameer. Sameer added much colour to the country's advertising awards ceremony. It was a fusion of dancing. The opening act for the Chillies was composed by Bhathiya and Santhush.

The dancers were in Bollywood type costumes and it was a fusion of diverse traditions and dance forms such as Indian, Western and Sri Lankan dance. One of the unique characteristics of the opening act was that it was composed at the tempo of 1/40 which has been done for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Sameer is grateful to the organizers of the Chillies as well as to Bhathiya and Santhush for their cooperation during the performance. He is married to Sheersha Perera, a Sri Lankan who is also a permanent resident of Australia.

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'The Last Two Minutes' at Bishop's

'The Last Two Minutes', the latest drama by the Sunera Foundation will go onboard at Bishop's College Auditorium at 7.30 p.m. on May 29 and May 30.

The drama will also be staged in Debarawewa Central College at 2.30 p.m. & 6.30 p.m. on May 26 and in Galle Town Hall at 2.30 p.m. & 6.30 p.m.on May 27 prior to its Colombo showing. The tickets will be available at the performance venues.

'The Last Two Minutes' has been directed by Kalasuri Rohana Deva Perera and choreographed by Ramani Damayanthi. Music is by Janaka Fonseka.

'The Last Two Minutes' thrilled audiences at the Biennale of Theatre and Psychiatry in Northern Italy last year, where it won a special Jury Award.

The present cast includes some members of Sunera's performing arts workshops for those who have been traumatized by the Tsunami.

RC

'Charandas' at Minuwangoda

Charandas, a stage-play by Parakrama Niriella will be staged at Nalanda Theatre Minuwangoda on May 27 at 3.30 pm and 6.30 p.m. Charandas won several awards at the National Drama Awards Festival 2006 in the Sinhala and Tamil Drama categories.

Charandas is the Sinhala adaptation of the Indian version Charandas Chor by Habib Tanvir, a veteran drama director and the leader of the Naya Theatre Group of Chhattisgarh.

Habib's Charandas Chor has won the highest award at the Edinburgh International Drama Festival held in 1983. The Sri Lankan version of Charandas Chor also won several awards at the National Drama Festival of 2006 including the awards for the best Play and best director.

Music for the drama is directed by H.A Perera and Ravindra Mapitigama is the choreographer and Assistant Director.

RC