Dance Storm in Bangladesh by Mofassal Al Alif

Today, I am going to make you meet an extremely talented young dancer from Bangladesh who, with his extraordinary dancing skills, creative mind and innovative ideas, has taken his country by storm. Every corporate show, launch, wedding, event, etc has him swinging and twirling on stage.

In a short span of about five years, Mofassal Al Alif has established himself as one of the famous dance artists in Bangladesh. Embracing an artistic vision that both respects and challenges Indian Classical dance forms and contemporary dance. After having awarded as a dance artist, he joined The Terence Lewis Contemporary Dance Company, one of the most famous dance companies in the world, for more learning. I spoke with the dynamics dancer who has been awarded with Kalajeeva Puraskar and Preranasri Award for his brilliant work. Excerpts from the interview:

How was your dance training and background?
My basic dance training has started on Indian classical, folk and creative dance style from MR Wasek. YouTube is another important tutor for me since in Bangladesh I did not get a trainer on global dance style so I had a plan to go abroad. Finally I got two years scholarship from Terence Lewis Dance company, Mumbai. Later, I also got trained from the Dance Worx, Art motion India & the yoga Institute, Mumbai. So I owe a lot to India and Indian dance teachers for my dance education and training.

What inspired you to take dance as a full time career?
I always use to watch live dance performances on television in Bangladesh right from my childhood. It used to create so much excitement, enthusiasm and eagerness in me to know more about dance or I can say performing arts. While studying in Jahangirnagar University, I got a cultural environment. Though I was a student of microbiology, I felt more comfortable with dance, so I finally decided to choose this career.

How is the dance scene in your country, Bangladesh. How has it changed with passing time?
We as a country love and respect performing arts knowledge and prospects. For any art stream to flourish, it needs a better platform or host to showcase it on a wider scale. The performing arts scene is not very open and those who want to take up dance as a full time career don’t have it easy. I too had to struggle a lot to get better opportunity, platform to showcase my talents to right audience with suitable materialistic resource gain. But now my country is opening up to various international dance forms and I am glad I am instrumental in doing so.

Which has been your most memorable performances and why?
It definitely was in India, when I was a company performer with Terence Lewis Dance Company. In 2019, we had a big event in Mumbai. I was asked to do the part which my guru Master Terence use to perform. I performed it wearing Terence Sir’s costume and my dance was highly appreciated too. That show has been one of the most memorable shows in my dancing career so far.

Where do you see yourself five to ten years from now?
I come from a mesmerising village in Bangladesh and being a Bangladeshi we cannot deny that our village has given legendary performing artists, art stalwarts to the country and to the world. My major focus is to contribute in a better way for performing arts arena here in Bangladesh. I am working hard to introduce new dance forms, styles and look for better scope and opportunities in my country, at the same time encourage new talent. This is a major part of my vision and also my mission. I want to bring revolution in global dance style in Bangladesh. I hope and pray that in 10 years I will be more updated, established, heart-warming artist and surely a better version of human being to relay on.

Sandip Soparrkar holds a doctorate in world mythology folklore from Pacifica University USA, an honorary doctorate in performing
arts from the National American University, He is a World Book Record holder, a well-known Ballroom dancer and a Bollywood choreographer who has been honored with three National Excellence awards, one National Achievement Award and
Dada Saheb Phalke award by the Government of India. He can be contacted on [email protected]