IF FAME, money and credibility have taught Shiamak Davar anything, it is that there is always a way to achieve your goals.

The dancer, choreographer, singer, performer and teacher - known just as Shiamak - has just received an honorary doctorate in performing arts from Middlesex University, and has just organised Summer Funk, a series of dance workshops across London that give everyone from primary school pupils to pensioners a taste of Bollywood.

Despite being shunned, insulted and ridiculed for starting a dance school in Bombay in his youth, the natural performer never gave up, and now teaches 70,000 pupils across the world.

Shiamak - which means 'prince' - says: "When I was younger, people had a problem with men dancing. They said it was disgusting and dance was meant for girls."

Now, Shiamak has opened schools 13 cities across India, and in three cities in Canada, Australia and Dubai, and plans more - in Sydney, Singapore, New York and London. The classes are open to anyone, regardless of age, gender, ability or status.

About 250 people took part in the classes in London, and they were so popular that others are being run in Harrow, Wembley and Southall, and at the Pineapple Dance Studio in central London.

If demand is great enough, classes will start in Hounslow, Finchley, Tooting, Leicester, Manchester and Birmingham.

Although Slumdog Millionaire brought intense attention to Mumbai's vibrant film-making industry, Shiamak believes many people have tried to cash in by teaching a cheap imitation of Bollywood dance.

He said people have been given a watered-down version that is not worthy of the original, and stressed the importance of brilliant teachers.

The 49-year-old says: "It is not real Bollywood, it's not actual Bollywood.

"I need to have someone here who can really teach it. It's a much more serious art form than people think it is."

This attention to detail and pursuit of perfection has led to worldwide recognition, but he always remembers where he came from and how hard he worked.

He says: "You always start small - there is a beauty in starting small. God is in the small things."

His efforts and unending energy have not gone unnoticed by Middlesex University, which awarded him an honorary doctorate in performing arts recently.

It came as a complete shock to the performer, who said he was humbled by the accolade.

At the Beck Theatre on July 24, students from all over London performed in the Summer Funk spectacular under the banner Have Feet, Will Dance. Shiamak says there were a few students he will keep his eye on and perhaps give them a chance to ignite the Indian film industry.

Much of the dedicated teacher's time is taken up with training the superstars of tomorrow, but he also spends some of it working with world-renowned stars of today.

His personal highlight of last year was performing at the opening ceremony of the Delhi Commonwealth Games, where he collaborated with AR Rahman, the Slumdog composer, whose soundtrack from the film blasted across both Europe and Asia.

The Mumbai resident has also worked with Will Smith and Amitabh Bachchan, and performed for Bill Clinton, Michael Douglas and Sting.

With a brimming CV and accolades from celebrities, fans and admirers from all over the world, many people would be happy to take a step back and enjoy the fruits of their labour. But Shiamak shows no signs of taking a back seat.

The charismatic performer says: "I do feel tired sometimes, but somewhere deep down, my belief in God tells me he will push me through."

Shiamak, who speaks English, Gujarati and Hindi fluently, said London had a great feel and he had been waiting for many years to do something in the capital.

"London has been fantastic so far. We have had such a phenomenal response.

"We have been doing the same in Mumbai for so long, we are very excited to be doing it in London now. It's a very cosmopolitan city and we have had a lot of interest.

"It's been overwhelming, especially as we have worked so hard."