Shubham Tiwari sets a new Guinness record of 130 Kathak spins in one minute

For a dancer it is very important to know who you are and what you stand for. So, it becomes very essential for an artist to know one’s purpose, vision, mission and values that is what finally define ones place in the world of art and if a performer knows what he or she wants to do, what they aspire to be, and the rules they live by then nothing can stop them from achieving their dreams.

Shubham Tiwari, a Kathak artist of Lucknow Gharana, disciple of Guru Pandit Anuj Mishra is one such highly gifted dancer. Who recently set a Guinness book of world record by taking 130 Kathak spin in a 1 minute.

All of 22 years, this young man recently made India proud by achieving a record that many artists just dream of. Just before the national lockdown Shubham set the new bench mark for all Kathak dancers around the world.

Taking about his world record Shubham said, ‘I could achieve this only because of the guidance of my Kathak Guru Pandit Anuj Mishra ji who tirelessly helped me and taught me the nuances of Kathak and sharpened my skills to reach to a level to make a world record.”

So how difficult was it to prepare for the Guinness Record? Thrilled Shubham replied, ‘I practiced for hours in the classroom and outside class too to achieve what was needed. All I had with me was determination and sincerity and I am glad that all my hard work finally paid off.’

Shubham and his family faced a lot of financial and societal challenges but his family stood by him for his interest in dance and now it has been 15 years that he has been dancing under the supervision of his Guru Pandit Anuj Mishra under the guru shishya parampara.

Talking about star student Shubham his guru Pandit Anuj Mishra said, “Shubham is very good dancer and a wonderful student, he started training under my guidance as a teenage and since then he has been extremely dedicated and a devoted student. I remember when he came to me his financial background was not strong but I saw the fire and the talent in this young lad and supported him in whatever way I could. I knew he will do something extraordinary in life and today I feel ecstatic, elated and so very proud that he has made a Guinness world record”

Blessing his disciple, the delighted Pandit Anuj Mishra further added, “My father late Pandit Arjun Mishra ji was known as the king of chakkars (spins), my students and me we all are very strong in chakkars too that is the real stamp of being Anuj Arjun Mishra dance company (AAMDC) pupil. It is great to see someone from our academy setting a bench mark and making a world record. Shubham has seen some real difficult times, but I wish him good luck and bless him as I know he will shine in the world of dance.”

This highly talented boy in the very young age has achieved many awards like National gold medal from Sangeet Natak Akademy, Nritya Kawmudhi award, Arjun Mishra award, Nrityanjali award uttarakhand, Pratibha Ratna Samman, Shakti Swaroopa Samman and many more apart from performing all over India and abroad. Shubham is one nibble footed dancer who has been spreading the rich Indian classical dance culture where ever he goes.

Dancers like Shubham are rare who with their devotion towards the art, blessing from his family and guru can achieve what they set out to. Today, let us all come together and congratulate this gifted dancer for taking India globally through his art and let us wish him all the best for all his future endeavors.

Sandip Soparrkar holds a doctorate in world mythology folklore from Pacific 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]