Saran Kohli is a London-based choreographer and menswear stylist and designer. Dance has been engraved into Saran’s DNA since the tender age of four watching his idols Michael Jackson, James Brown and Prabhu Deva infusing his childhood with melodic music and grooves.
At early age of 17 started dance company Snach ENT which provided platforms across the country and internationally in New York and India. A recent graduate from Broadway Dance Center where he was honored with the Outstanding Student award for his concepts and creative direction.
Being multi-creative with having his own bespoke menswear label, Saran Kohli continues under his company to fuse the elements of dance and sartorial style creating a chic blend of “Streetorial” flava to concepts and choreographies.
As a performer Saran Kohli is part of 201 Dance Company playing second lead in Andrea Walkers’ If You Leave production and London’s top training academy Company 68.
I am Hip Hop catch up with Saran in time for the Breakin’ Convention 2015 festival !
Q. What very first inspired you to get involved in dance?
Around the age of 4–5 I was glued to the MTV ( we talking 80s and big box television). I was fascinated by his performance and energy. I also absorbed a lot of Blues, Motown, Frank Sinatra and Soul music. My mom being a fashion designer made Billie Jean and Smooth Criminal outfits so I could re-live the MJ moment.
Q. How long have you been dancing now?
I have been in love with dance since I could walk or even in my diapers but professionally since age 14.
Q. What was your first step in making your dance aspirations a reality?
At age 14, I auditioned for fashion show being held as part of a 3 day exhibition. This is was my first ever audition and they were only looking for models. I had no clue what modelling was and why people just walked straight! I walked up and mentioned I dance better then I walk and that nailed it.
But my true aspiration was when at age 17 setup dance company “Snach” which opened doors for my creativity to flourish and being something new on stage.
Q. Did you encounter many setbacks on the road to where you are now?
I am very fortunate to have family support however my fashion job did slow me down after graduating therefore wasn’t able to enhance my craft or expand. However after 4 year break, managed to get accepted at New York’s finest Broadway Dance Centre.
Q. Who still inspires you?
Michael Jackson still takes peak! However I am a fan of Dance stars such as i.e. Keone & Mari, Ian Eastwood, Adrien Rako, Prabhu Deva, Neil Shwartz, Robert Taylor Jr and Carlos Neto.
Q. What are some of your biggest projects or proudest achievements to date?
Breakin Convention does top the list as it is the first time a “Turbaned Sikh” will perform a hip-hop inspired piece at an international festival. Other moments have been performing with Honey Singh’s America’s East Coast tour and performing in India.
Q. Are you involved in the hip-hop scene in other ways aside from dance?
I am fan of the music and always building relationship with Artists and industry. I am a menswear designer by day and have styled/designed for many artists such as Jay Sean and JLS.
Q. What plans do you have for the future?
I will be pursing dance in terms of choreography and bringing concepts to stage. Also setting up a educational platform to introduce Hip-Hop / Street Dance to regions where the education in the field is scarce.
Q. Is there anyone you’d really like to collaborate with?
There are soo many but I would love to work with artists such as Kenrick from Boy Blue, Twilight Players, Chris brown, Adrien Rako , Robert Taylor Jr and many more in the dance field. Working with Keone and Mari would be a dream come true.
Catch Saran Kohli at the Breakin’ Convention festival!
For tickets and more details visit: http://www.breakinconvention.com/events/festival

Rishma

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