Today we’d like to introduce you to Geeta Shirvalkar.
Hi Geeta, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and brought up in Mumbai, India, where I learnt Bharatanatyam (Southern Indian Classical Dance form) and graduated (Arangetram: recital after learning dance style for 10 years) in it. I have been also choreographing and performing bollywood dances since my early age. I have been always passionate about dance but fortunately I was also academically a bright student and ended up being an Engineer. I started my career as an Engineer in a renowned MNC (Multi National Corporation) in India and moved to the USA. Here in USA also I never quit my passion for Dance. When Covid hit the country; like everybody; I got some free time and started to compile all my previous dance performances on my Youtube channel : DnB Magnets.
I started to see other many artists around me and approached them, they all were willing to display their talent on my channel and thus formed the DnB Magnets. Few of us live in USA, few are in India, Australia, etc.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When you are trying to build something, it is never a smooth ride.
I knew from the beginning that the channel / dance co. won’t be famous instantaneously. I also knew the people who support us will support us throughout unconditionally; but there is always a big factor of Jealousy, Comparison, Politics, lack of appreciation, and being unhappy by seeing the progress/success of others. I had to face that a lot!
When I try to put up a show or even for my classes, I don’t advertise that much, as frankly I don’t have that much time. But, there is always politics and not so healthy competition. It is really painful to see that in the field of Arts; because I’m not here to compete with someone but I am here to simply display my art, my skill ,and I am trying hard to have others join me in this beautiful journey.
I had to remind myself multiple times that I am not doing this to get validation from others. I am doing this to spread cultural awareness ; to promote health, positive mindset & happiness, and to show that diversity is beautiful. That soon became my power statement : “Find Validation Within, What they hate in you is missing in them, keep smiling, keep shining!” and I started to overlook petty things that used to bother me earlier. Few conferences I attended helped me gain that perspective in life ,SWE Society of Women Engineers, etc.
Now, my goal is clear, keep working – do good karma, be happy, and be healthy.. in Bhagawad Gita: Hindu Scripture there is a shloka that says “Karmanye Vadhikarste Ma Phaleshu Kadachan …” Meaning: You have the right to work only but never to the fruits (results); Let the fruits of action be not your motive; nor your attachment to inaction.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As I already mentioned I am a passionate dancer, teacher and choreographer. Since my childhood, I have been teaching dance and performing on stage. After moving to the USA, I felt a greater need to spread cultural awareness through Dance. So, over weekends, I started to teach Bollywood and Bharatanatyam to the kids.
Through my channel, I try to deliver meaningful videos that either explore certain things happening in society. Through our live shows we try to spread cultural awareness about India and Indian Subcontinent, the countries where we originally come from. I recently came up with “Tour De India” concept where we show folk culture from India’s different states’ and neighboring countries through various dances.
Some of the videos about current topics, and folk dances are listed below, you can find many such motivational videos on our channel.
e.g.
for Halloween, we had a video made for pressing issues like Drug, Alcohol abuse in youngsters and dedicated that to Red Ribbon Week.
World Children’s’ Day representing Jammu & Kashmir State from “Tour De India” show.
Black or white song Bharatanatyam fusion
International Sign Language Day
https://youtu.be/jwSa9HaZD3g?si=2YsyqRYSWujQXiId
Holidays around the globe
In a country like USA, where it is a melting pot of all cultures; it is important to be aware of other cultures and be respectful towards any and all cultures. We always try to learn as much as possible about other cultures and share those cultural aspects through our presentations. e.g. Belly dance fusion, tap dance, etc.
Art doesn’t need any language, it can connect minds and we at DnB Magnets always try to bring everyone together, globally. I am glad that at USA,
I got this opportunity to learn these beautiful cultures, traditions from different countries.
Not only the great dancers all over the world, but I am proud of all types of great artists, sport persons, actors because of my deep affection for the outstanding expression and performance I see in any faculty of human life.
I’m apart from others, I feel, because I have equal interest,
in arts, in science and also in applied sciences. My curiosity makes me learn all the time and often it also helps me leave my comfort zone.
The other thing sets me or DnB Magnets apart from others is : we perform at Multicultural Events to promote Diversity & Inclusion and to unite people from different countries whereas I have seen many other performers tend to stick and perform only at their own community events.
How do you think about luck?
Wow, very tough question!
I think, at the end.. hard work pays off! Definitely I am lucky to get an unconditional support from my family and a few close friends on this path.
In our (every) presentation, may it be Live on stage or Online on our channel; we put a lot of effort to make it as perfect as possible. We choose music very carefully, we choreograph, choose our props, costumes professionally. While recording any video, I personally try to go for multiple takes to get the best shot, our actors put their souls into the character, our cameramen give best ideas for lighting and our editors take extra step to bring out the effects we expect from the video or film. Below is our latest /first short film “Sakhya re” where you can see amalgamation of all these skills shape the best desirable product. So, yes, I feel lucky to have all these wonderful people (I should say friends) around me who are willing to help, and support always!
I would especially like to mention Jyotsna who is my friend and a renowned director from Mumbai Film Industry. Who also directed the most popular fusion video from our Channel: “Chalte Chalte” attached below.
Sakhya Re: Short film :Genre – Suspense, Horror
Chalte Chalte: This original song is performed in Kathak (North Indian Classical dance form) style in a bollywood movie called Pakeezah, whereas I choreographed and performed it in Odissi (Classical dance form from Odisha state)
https://youtu.be/e2G53PW
I hope our luck will continue with gaining more fans, subscribers, views on our channel, and we producing more films, content that is loved by everyone.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dnbmagnets/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GitaDnBMagnets
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DnBMagnets
Image Credits
Vivek , Jyotsna, Smita
