Chirag Mahida, Founder,FM Dance Academy

Journey from a tea stall to a dance academy“As a teenager when my friends were enjoying life I was working in a tea stall with my big brother to raise the family,” these are the words of an entrepreneur who after 18 years of struggle started his own dance academy in Baroda.

Chirag Mahida, a well known dance instructor in Baroda had a long dream to start his own dance academy. FM Dance Academy (FMDA), his venture, is a one of its kind dance institute in Baroda which nurtures the youngsters to perform at the biggest international stages. What differentiatesFMDA is that it teaches multiple dance disciplines and has dance instructors coming from various parts of the world as visiting faculties.

Coming back to Chirag's journey, from a young age while he was working in a tea stall then as a milk vendor, he used to take out time to learn dancing. Chirag always wanted to dance and he used to manage his time well enough to do what he wanted to do.

“I always remember my first solo performance on stage, the dress which i wore was borrowed from a close friend,” recollected Chirag.

After his first performance there was no looking back, he won many local championships and soon took over the national stage.

“I took up a job of a dancing teacher in a school to earn money and save up for my own institute. I started my own dancing class in 1992 with an initial investment of Rs.200,” said Chirag.After that the real struggle started for him with the challenge of how to attract students, Chirag not to be detered used word of mouth publicity and began performing in Ganapati festivals in Baroda to attract eyeballs.

Chirag is eloquent to mention that his struggle in life paid when President Pratibha Patil awarded him for his performance. His dancing group was also selected to perform in the 26^th January Republic day parade in Delhi.

Talking about future plans, Chirag says, " that dance, dance and dance is the only aim of my life and after 5 years I want to open a dance college of my own." On a personal level Chirag wants to be best remembered as an internationally reputed choreographer from Baroda.

We at YourStory admire Chirag's journey and hope this entrepreneur goes on to fulfill all his wishes.