DANCE
How were you initiated to dance?
As a child I had a natural instinct to dance and am glad that my parents noticed it. Initially I started learning folk dances from Purav Sir and later I started learning Bharata Natyam from the veteran mentor Acharya Parvati Kumar
At what age should one start learning classical dance?
The ideal age to start is either four or five as the body is supple and flexible, Moreover a minimum of ten years is necessary to complete the margam for a full-fledged performance. Initially there is lot of leg pain but one should not stop learning due to the physical pain as that is a process of growing and developing the body, Classical dance is not just physical but much more than that, it is the expression of the soul and a fine combination of the mind.body and spirit.
Please go on!
Through the medium of movements,’hasta’ mudras and expressions we narrate different stories from the Hindu mythology pertaining to the Gods. In other words, in classical dance we establish the inter-relationship between the human and the divine soul
How lucrative is classical dance as a career?
Classical dance is not business, but a divine art form that is priceless and hence if you think of it commercially, it is not profitable. It is the satisfaction and the divinity which is more important. Initially there is lot of investment involved as there are several dancers but the platforms are few but if you prove your caliber as a dancer you will start getting invitations. Performing abroad is definitely more lucrative.
Tell us about Sarfojiraje Bhonsle Centre and the Bharata College!
Sarfojiraje Bhonsle Centre is named after Sarfojiraje Bhonsle, who was ruler of Tanjavur state in Tamil Nadu and an exponent of Bharata Natyam, Both Sarfojiraje and Shahiraje, father of Shivaji have written several musical compositions in Marathi, Sanskirt, Tamil and Telugu, I have been fortunate to do research on these compositions with the guidance of Acharya Parvati Kumar. The Bharata College offers degrees in dance up to the doctorate level
Tell us about your doctorate degree?
My doctorate degree is based on the Natya Sastra, the usage of Angika Abhinaya in the Bharata Natyam style which pertains to the detail usage of the body movements from the head to the toe. For instance if I have to depict a deer, my body would adapt to the typical movements and the gait of the deer.
Are you happy personally, professionally and financially as a dancer?
Yes. I am more than happy to carry the legacy forward as some of my students have become teachers as well. I am happy to pursue a career in classical dancing which is not easy and whatever I have achieved today, the credit goes to my mentor and my parents.
Are you interested in doing choreography for serials and movies?
I am interested in choreographing for a TV serial or for that matter movie, only if it concerns classical or folk dances. I can’t disturb the purity and beauty of classical dance for the sake of commercial value. Nevertheless it is the art which is more important and not the money.
Is dance education relevant today?
It is very relevant, particularly if you want to become a professional dancer or teacher. Strangely enough, foreigners are so passionate about learning dance that they learn every aspect of it. Classical dance is a conglomerate of different subjects like music, dance. sculpture, painting, philosophy, mythology, psychology, histrionic, mathematics etc and it takes several years to learn and become a scholar
Is classical dance on the decline?
Classical Dance is bright and illuminating like the sun so it can never decline. Classical dancers will come and go but the dance and the art form will always be eternal.
