CHENNAI: This weekend is about to get sizzling, because India’s one and only ‘wheel dancer’ and international ring artist, Malkeet Singh, is all set to dazzle onlookers at Phoenix MarketCity with his dynamic wheel performance. As much Malkeet’s life is surrounded by glitz and glamour now, his beginnings were anything but. Born in Amritsar, Punjab, Malkeet had a tough childhood, with not enough resources to pursue higher studies. “I am from a small town. In my family, I have my father, two sisters and one brother,” he narrates.
Earning a livelihood and supporting his family have been his priorities since childhood and that led him to experiment new things. He didn’t have a tutor nor did he receive any formal training in dance; all his techniques in wheel dance are self-taught. “Nobody in India knew this form of dancing. So I learnt by looking at videos of several international artistes and practiced steps on my own,” he recalls, adding that financial constraints meant he could not go abroad to learn.
Over the last seven years Malkeet has performed all across India — Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Bhuj, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore and Chandigarh and received rave reviews. He has also been a part of several TV shows including the famous India’s Got Talent Season 7 on Colors Network. Having performed in front of some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, we ask the young dancer if there’s anyone special he wishes to perform for, and he smiles, “I have always wanted to perform in front of my mother.”
Besides the Wheel Act, Malkeet is also well versed in the art of Aerial Ring and Silk Acts. “The techniques required for these acts are different from each other. In the Wheel Act, the floor is the base to perform, whereas in the Silk and Aerial acts, one has to perform in the air! That’s more difficult!” he explains. He takes his fitness very seriously, saying that being fit is the biggest key to performing well in this field of art. “Practice is required every day. Staying fit and practising well is very important. I start my day with my workout and then every day I practise for long hours,” he says.
Malkeet’s performance this weekend in Chennai is not his first visit to the city, and he feels that Chennai has some energy of its own. “I find Chennai people energetic and responsive to unique art forms. It’s encouraging!” he smiles.
So what’s next for Malkeet Singh? “Dancing is not only my profession but also my passion. I love to teach and introduce unique acts to those interested,” he says. He runs a dancing institute in Mumbai, where he teaches over 20 students the art forms of Silk Act, Aerial Act and Wheel Act. “I want to introduce these international art forms to more people in India. Mumbai being a big city, many people have to support their families, and earn their living. I feel no one else should go through the difficulties I did in my childhood,” he avers.
Malkeet Singh will be performing this weekend at 4 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm for 30 minutes at Phoenix MarketCity, Velachery. For details, call: 66513007