Thursday 24 / April / 2025
Muscat: Each household has a dancer today, opined dance king Prabhu Deva yesterday, adding that the young dancers that were sprouting everywhere were not just “superb dancers” but it was also impossible to “match them”.
He also noted that this was not the scene just in India, but globally.
Coming from the dance king himself, it is high praise for today’s young dance aspirants, especially those who are going to join him at the dance event this evening.
Live performance today
Deva, who is here to perform at the ‘Bash’, which will feature him in his first-ever live performance in Oman this evening, set the ball rolling with his ready wit, humour and humility, and swept the feet of the scribes at an informal press meet held at the Chars Sports, of the W Muscat yesterday.
The ‘Prabhu Deva’s Bash’ is organised by Black & White Oman in association with JMR Events and Mediasenze, those present at the press conference included,
Geert Chatrou, a champion Dutch whistler; Lama Nasser, head of marketing and CRM, Nissan; Staris Latkas, general manager, W Muscat and Jose Mikle Robin, chairman, JMR Group Global and show director, Harikumar of Shaa Entertainments.
Make others dance
Deva was at ease with the press answering every query fielded to him and noted that he was currently busy acting, choreographing and dancing in Tamil cinema. He noted that he was not planning anything ahead in his career and was simply “going with the flow”. Asked what he preferred from the variety of hats that he donned, he said he chose choreography, because he could make “others dance”.
Fanboy moment with MJ
The Indian dance legend, who turned 52 on April 3 this year, also spoke about his brief but endearing meeting with the pop icon Michael Jackson for the first time in 1996, which he holds very dear to his heart. “It was totally a fanboy moment,” Deva recalled with a smile. Apparently, Jackson spoke to him but the fanboy moment was so intense, Deva couldn’t decipher the words. Deva who was inspired by Jackson and carried the Moonwalker’s ethos and legacy also noted that he was “happy to be called” the ‘Indian Michael Jackson’.
Fit for life and dance
On a serious note, Deva emphasised on the importance of fitness not just in dance, but in life. And as far as dance was concerned, he stressed that one cannot dance unless he/she is totally fit. “And there are no shortcuts to it!” he quipped
Born to a legend
Deva was born to the legendary choreographer, Mugur Sundar master and it was the films like Gentleman and Kaadhalan that made the world take notice of his immense talent and from then on he had the world dancing to his dance tunes!
Whistling tribute
Meanwhile, Geert Chatrou paid a whistling tribute to the king of dance as he briefly showcased his amazing talent in the presence of Deva and the press.
Geert, who noted that he had seen videos of Deva’s dances, added humbly: “I cannot dance, but I wish I could whistle like you dance!”
Just like a flute
Deva, who was mesmerized by the whistling of the champion whistler, noted: “I closed my eyes and it just felt like someone was playing a flute!”
Nissan surprise
Others present at the conference also spoke. Lama Nasser, in her brief speech said that Nissan was planning a surprise at the ‘Bash’ today and it was a great opportunity to partner with the event and launch their “special product”. She added that they were greatly excited to be part of the event.
Excited to be part of the event
Staris Latkas, general manager, W Muscat also expressed his excitement to be part of the event and added that he was also “very excited” to be in the presence of the living dance legend.
Even from Doha
Jose Mikle Robin, chairman of JMR Group Global and an organising partner, also echoed similar sentiments adding that excitement rippled amongst Deva fans not only in Muscat, but even outside as he noted that he was aware that some fans from Doha were coming to be part of the dance ‘Bash’.
The event is supported by Nissan Al Hashar Automotive, Lulu Group, Oasis Grace LLC, Mazoon Dairy, Genetco, Mahul enterprises LLC, RISE entrepreneurs’ network, Tiffin master and Ula Holidays. Official airline is Oman Air, Travel partners are Tern Voyages and B - One Travels, Hospitality partners W Muscat Hotel and Double tree by Hilton, international media Globeon, official medical partner Badr al Samaa, Print partner Al Nawras printing. Times of Oman and Al Shabiba are the media partners.
Contact: 95358513/77591594.
