Classical Dance The backbone of Indian Culture

The Lalit Arpan Festival this year is celebrating its 15th edition. It began as a way of paying homage to very senior artistes who then passed the baton to young artistes like the late Tabla Maestro Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan and famous Kathak danseuse Shovana Narayan. Over the years, this festival has showcased extraordinary talents in the field of classical performing artistes who are worthy torch bearers of the classical art traditions.

 

A celebrated dancer and recipient of the Padmashree award, Shovana Narayan talks about her passion for dancing.

Dance is my life and breath. Hence the inspiration comes from the spirit of dance that is part of my being. Since I believe that no one lives in a vacuum and that each one of us impacts and is impacted by surroundings, dance is the medium through which I can best express my emotions.

 

I was initiated into dance when I was not yet three years old and my first stage appearance was perhaps at the age of four. Since then my reputation grew as a very accomplished and promising young dancer. But suddenly from 1971-72, I was taken as a fully recognised serious solo professional performer.

Dance means discipline and fitness, for without these one cannot perform. The discipline of the margam of dance requires self-discipline too. Also to be a good performer, personal fitness is equally important.  

 

In 1982 during Indira-ji’s state visit to USSR, I had the chance of performing before her and President Brezhnev, USSR at Moscow in the brilliant Tchaikovsky auditorium and where a member of the audience broke through security cordons in order to spray my feet with flowers in appreciation. What a standing ovation I received!

Once at a performance in Chitrakoot Ramayan Mela Dance Festival before a crowd of some thirty thousand strong audience, I was suddenly rather shyly requested by a woman from under her veil to do an abhinaya piece on a particular episode. If that wasn’t ‘farmaish’, I wonder what it was. That day it dispelled all notions within me that classical dance appeals to only a small classed niche of society. But here was a village woman revelling in classical dance and understanding its nuances!

I would just like to mention that classical performing arts reflects the spirit of what Indian culture stands for. It is important for each one of us to have an understanding and appreciation of this genre for it helps us to maintain our praxis in a world that is so competitive and glamour struck. In the march of development and rat race towards materialism, the introspection should be on whether we are actually ‘happy’. If not, then we can address it by inculcating an understanding and appreciation of our classical arts. Examples of classical artistes all over the globe including Indian classical artistes do indicate the fact that even though rooted in classicism, they are global citizens! 

Secondly, that there are no short cuts in life. One’s own perspiration and the success after it gives the feel of real anand. And in all pursuits, values of ethical actions should not be lost sight of.