Choreography courses in India for budding dancers

Once upon a time, dancing schools and Indian movies had a person called the ‘dance master’. That has long been replaced by smart, technically savvy men and women who know how to make people dance to their tune – the choreographers. The problem is, while many Indian kids have the talent and skill to become choreographers, the number of professional choreography training institutes are still very few in our country. Let’s look at some options for those who want to make a career in dance.   

Eligibility criteria for becoming a choreographer 
A dancer can practice as an individual, but a choreographer is a dance director, i.e., a person in charge of using dance as a means of communication to go with a piece of music professionally. More than a degree, becoming a choreographer needs good skills as a dancer, creativity, sharp ear for music, impeccable sense of rhythm, excellent people management skills, and an artistic appreciation of costumes and sets. A school student who has these skills can try out a short choreography course, and if it works out, can go for a professional certificate, diploma or degree.  

What are the choreography courses available in India?  
Many dancers and choreographers are running excellent short-term training courses, including online ones, for school students. Courses can vary from a few weeks to six months, and offer certificates on completion. Diploma courses of 1 to 2 years duration are available after higher secondary, and in some cases, even for school level kids who have showcased proficiency in dance. After higher secondary, students can opt for 3-year BA courses in music and dance in colleges like Sangeet Natak Academy (New Delhi), Vishwa Bharati University and Rabindra Bharati University (West Bengal), and University of Mysore. Advanced professional courses are offered at Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography (Bangalore), Shiamak Davar Institute for Performing Art (New Delhi), Institute for Creative Excellence (Chandigarh), The ITA School of Performing Arts (Mumbai) etc.  

What are the career opportunities for a choreographer?  
Choreography is a very competitive field as Indians have traditionally excelled in this sector. A successful choreographer can work for movies, TV, stage shows, independent performers, singers, bands, dance schools, schools and institutes looking for dance instructors, gyms, yoga centres, and even government agencies.