Choreographer Terence Lewis spoke about his personal journey growing up in a religious family and his struggles as he questioned his faith from a young age. He shared that he grew up in a profound environment and eventually began to notice various “differences” in Christianity. When he raised these concerns with a priest, he was reportedly told to leave the church.
Terence Lewis recalls his first experiences with religion
In his appearance in IIMUN’s Before I Became Me, he said, “At the age of eight and nine he first read the bible and at the age of 12 he read it again… then I started asking questions… there were many disagreements and even the priests could not answer. At one point he said: get out, leave. You are asking too many questions.”
Terence Lewis shares his influence on family and faith
Terence also opened up about the impact his questions had on his family, especially his mother. He admitted that the change in his beliefs was particularly difficult to accept. He said: “When I started questioning religion, that was the hardest thing for my mother… I know I suffered a lot.” It even drew a line between personal faith and organized religion, challenging the authority of institutional interpretations. The choreographer shared, “The Christian faith, not Jesus Christ… but the system, the church… why do I have to listen to this person’s version of the Bible, and why can’t I make my own decision?”.
Terence Lewis journey in dance and television
Known for his contribution to contemporary dance, Terence has been instrumental in bringing modern dance styles to mainstream entertainment. He became known as a judge on the most important dance reality shows, gaining recognition for his technical knowledge and strong mentorship. Over the years, he has worked in Bollywood films, stage productions and international platforms, choreographing performances for some of the industry’s biggest stars.
Terence Lewis works beyond choreography on the global stage
Beyond choreography, Lewis has also been active in theater and international dance collaborations, presenting Indian contemporary dance on global stages.
