Zameer Ul Amin Bhat,Dance Guru of Kashmir
Mir Sabeen Gulrez
Srinagar: Zameer Ul Amin Bhat from Natipora Srinagar started his journey of Dance from his teens in 1999 when Jammu And Kashmir was facing Political Turmoil. His Passion of Dancing made him what he is actually these days. Valley was going through its worst phase but in Kashmir there was always social proscription on Dance.He is among the pioneer when it comes to starting dance academy in Kashmir so as to train young buds in dancing field.
Zameer has done his schooling from Muslim Educational Institute (M.E.T) Baghat where he always participated in cultural dance shows.Zameer who not only fought with society for his passion but this time is the owner of the “All J&K Dance Sports Association”, where not only students learn dance but also get chance to represent themselves on state and national level. Not only this at atleast 60 students have enrolled in this academy so far.Zameer was the first person from valley whose dance shoot was telecasted on Doordarshan. And soon after he got chance to perform as an artist in many DD Kashmir serials.In the year 2000 Zameer was the first person who started his own dance academy as the youth who was influenced by his dance wanted him to be their teacher.Initially zameer gave it a name as Eagles Dance Group who not only performed theatre,dance shows, events etc.“I even got life threats but I did not look here and there and focused on my work,which I never wanted to leave . I wanted that this leagacy of dance should go beyond boundaries as its better that our youth instead of going in drug abuse or any other heinous crime will be in safe hands, and one day will make their families proud”, Zameer said.Zameer said,”In the year 2003,Tagore hall Srinagar was thrown open for public after long time due to political instability in the valley and it was my group which performed in the dancing event. After this my group never looked back. In 2005 I made a contract with Zee for new year program that got very much highlighted as it was for the first time that such event was telecasted live on Zee”.While narrating his story to News Kashmir Zameer said, My journey was not easy I had to face many backlash from society as well initially people used to taunt me and my group we were called “Nachanwael” etc etc. Than later on, this mindset of people got changed and they also started encouraging and supporting me. Later on my group performed outside Kashmir, did republic day event, independence event etc. Army also approached my group and we did many of the dancing events with them. In the year 2007 my group collaborated with Art, Culture and Information Department of J&K where my group got registered and we did lot of State and national level programs with them and my group got facilitated many a times. My group also represented J&K in the International folk festival at Rajasthan were we emerged as winners and brought laurels to J&K. It was the time when no dancing events at local and state level was organized. It was me who started dancing shoot for new program that was telecasted on Doordarshan. Those days no stage program was held so. With the passage of time people started recognizing me and appreciating my performances. And at the same time I performed as an artist for many TV serials in DD Kashmir. From here I started my career as an artist in television after that I got a chance to perform at Amritsar for solo dance and I emerged as a winner in that very event.While talking to News Kashmir Zameer’s mother told that, “every mother should have a son like zameer what he said me earlier that one day he will not only make me proud but all was a correct statement because as not only me he made proud the whole system , the whole society, I Don’t give a damn to society what they said to me , but what I feel as a mother is much more important”. Zameer is an extraordinary son who not only takes care of everything but manages each and everything in a good manner. Zameer I am proud of you said his mother with tearful eyes”.
Zameer’s wife told News Kashmir, who is an Advocate by Profession initially when my in-laws approached my parents for marriage proposal ,my father said that after getting confirmation from his relatives and friends (Which is a social custom in Kashmir) that everyone was like your daughter will be the luckiest as this guy is an extraordinary person who always takes care of everything. But as a wife I Feel very “proud of my husband”, really he is a man of integrity. He is a good son, a good father, a good brother more important a good husband. I am lucky enough to have him in my life. Zameer told News Kashmir that his family has been always his strength as his sister(name with held) has been always a main support to him whenever society used to be at odds against him. I am lucky to be a brother of her. She is best among all. My father who always being a strict member of my family never showed directly his love like a coconut shell hard outside but very soft inside. My brother and me are like two bodies and one soul . My first priority is always my family said Zameer.
