I have been a scientist for the last 22 years. Apart from writing, I love singing specifically Malay and Hindi (Bollywood) songs. Me and my siblings grew up watching hindi movies. Listening to my parents sing hindi and Punjabi songs was a normal thing at home. Punjabi is my mother-tongue and my mother being educated in India, would explain hindi words to me. Hence, understanding hindi was made easier for me. In addition, I liked singing and writing the lyrics of Malay songs whether rock, balad whether by female, male or groups.

In fact as a scientist that loves neurochemistry, I know that music promotes learning and healing. It gives joy and happiness. Singing was the best means of relaxation in between of very strict timelines to complete my PhD thesis, as going out for holiday or shopping would take away too much time. A friend of mine, introduced the Smule singing app to me. Ever since singing in Smule since 2017, I started to feel young and healthier. Singing is a good breathing exercise and help open up the lungs for it allows inhalation of more oxygen. There are many benefits from singing. As a successful scientist, am in the opinion that parents should not limit their kids from listening or enjoying music. It is scientifically proven that music enhances cognitive skills and improve memory. Music can help to de-stress or heal.

In 2008, I was diagnosed with musculoskeletal issues that occurred due my busy nature of work as a scientist. Injuries or musculoskeletal disorders could cause limitations and unwanted health problems, leaving us depressed and in pain. While continuous physiotherapy is important for healing or maintenance; dance is a great form of exercise for stamina building, strengthening and flexibility. While I was struggling to recover, I took up Bollywood dancing from 2008 till 2012. It helped me heal better.

Recently, early 2020, I enrolled in Mast Millenium Dancers (MMD) academy for Bollywood dancing. By this time, I had put on more weight especially from my PhD thesis-writing phase. As my limbs were weak and I needed to prepare for a bhangra number as part of my Bollywood beginner exam, Azim suggested me fitness class.

It was interesting to know that MMD seemed like a one-stop centre to learn and enjoy dance, get your dance costume designed and tailored as well as fitness to strengthen and get in shape!

Never did I dream that from the intensive Bollywood dance training and fitness classes, significant change occurred in my waist, hip, stomach and even bustline. I had lost 3 kg in 2 months. This excited me to lose even more, it was like a miracle! Through intensive fitness (up to 3 times per week) and some diet change or rather calorie control; my waist, hip and bustline dropped to 2 inches in the next months. Clothes become loose and I could once again fit into my old jeans and skirts.

Not only I completed beginners Bollywood exam in December 2020, something I never thought of doing at my age, have also achieved the Intermediate Bollywood certificate lately in December 2021. To add some spark to this journey, I performed to an old song danced by Helen in a 1980s movie. This song was an inspiration for my dance teacher Mohd Sham to be a dancer and after learning his story, it inspired to me perform to this. Sham choreographed the dance for me and also designed an interesting costume for this purpose. It was an unbelievable experience!

This surprise performance became the zest for me to take part in intermediate Bollywood exam in December 2021. At this stage, I finally surrender to the fact that my teachers saw potential in me and inspired me to this level. Am now excited to move onto Advance Bollywood stage and more choreographies.

Thanks to my lovely teachers Azim Riaz and Mohd Sham for creating the twist, and now there is no turning back in doing and learning dance!

P/S: Do subscribe my youtube channel. My links:

- my Hindi & Punjabi song videos : https://tinyurl.com/Gurmin-hindi-punjabi

- my Malay, Dangdut & English song videos : https://tinyurl.com/Gurmin-Malay-Dangdut

- my dance (MMD) vidoes : https://tinyurl.com/Gurmin-dance