Working for the classics
18 Feb 2013 1:55 AM GMT
So imagine how much tougher it would be to master a dance form and work towards making it get the recognition of a classical dance.
That’s what Prateesha Suresh did with the Sattriya — the classical dance of Assam. After training in Bharatanatyam, Prateesha went back to her hometown in Assam. It is then that she started working on Sattriya, with special concentration on the style, music, costumes and literature.
Another challenge also had to be overcome. That of presenting the dance, which has evolved from a dramatic representation, as a solo dance.
Along with that, the artiste also worked towards bringing forth the works of Srimant Shankardev. Prateesha performed in the Capital last weekend at The Shankardev Utsav, which paid a tribute to the saint-scholar.
It is her fascination with the life and philosophy of Shankardev that attracted her to the Sattriya dance. She wanted to look at and present the brighter and colourful aspect of Assamese culture.
‘Sattriya thoughts and dance form was founded by Shankardev and was a part of a bigger canvas. It is dance that is devoted to God and over the years has included abhinaya (acting) and become a part of dance drama,’ explained Prateesha.
Do classical dances still hold any attraction? ‘Salsa, hip hop and other western dance forms have their own place but the classical dances occupy a special place in the hearts of the audience or else it would not have sustained all these years,’ denies Prateesha.
People from different corners of the world want to learn the classical dance forms because of the soulful nature of the dance which emits a peaceful ambience, she said.
As for classical dance losing its sheen, the artiste does not want to blame the new generation. ‘They are not made aware of their past at an early age,’ she says. The solution? ‘You try to inculcate in them the importance of it at an early age and they are sure to imbibe and be proud of their heritage and respect it for what it is,’ she clarifies.
At the festival, she used compositions of Shankardev which each dancer performed in her unique style. Dance forms were merged to show unity.
That’s what Prateesha Suresh did with the Sattriya — the classical dance of Assam. After training in Bharatanatyam, Prateesha went back to her hometown in Assam. It is then that she started working on Sattriya, with special concentration on the style, music, costumes and literature.
Another challenge also had to be overcome. That of presenting the dance, which has evolved from a dramatic representation, as a solo dance.
Along with that, the artiste also worked towards bringing forth the works of Srimant Shankardev. Prateesha performed in the Capital last weekend at The Shankardev Utsav, which paid a tribute to the saint-scholar.
It is her fascination with the life and philosophy of Shankardev that attracted her to the Sattriya dance. She wanted to look at and present the brighter and colourful aspect of Assamese culture.
‘Sattriya thoughts and dance form was founded by Shankardev and was a part of a bigger canvas. It is dance that is devoted to God and over the years has included abhinaya (acting) and become a part of dance drama,’ explained Prateesha.
Do classical dances still hold any attraction? ‘Salsa, hip hop and other western dance forms have their own place but the classical dances occupy a special place in the hearts of the audience or else it would not have sustained all these years,’ denies Prateesha.
People from different corners of the world want to learn the classical dance forms because of the soulful nature of the dance which emits a peaceful ambience, she said.
As for classical dance losing its sheen, the artiste does not want to blame the new generation. ‘They are not made aware of their past at an early age,’ she says. The solution? ‘You try to inculcate in them the importance of it at an early age and they are sure to imbibe and be proud of their heritage and respect it for what it is,’ she clarifies.
At the festival, she used compositions of Shankardev which each dancer performed in her unique style. Dance forms were merged to show unity.
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