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In Reply to: Low Payments for projects posted by Subha on February 10, 2006 at 22:47:37:
I apologize in advance if I am not addressing Subha's original post, but I feel the need to respond to some things that have been said. I completely resent Joanna's attitude and the attitudes of those who share her opinion. You are entitled, of course, to think what you want, but let me express how your assumptions are offensive and entirely uncalled for.
I recently travelled to Chennai for the Season, attending dance concerts every day for a duration of about 2 weeks, checking out all the local talent. As dancers in America, we are told by our gurus and other elders of the hard work and dedication exhibited by dancers in India. Every time we screw up, we hear "oh you should see the araimandi of the kids in India" or something to that effect. Somewhere along the way, we (or at least I) start believing this. I have seen many of the leading dancers in India perform in the states and am enchanted by them. No doubt they are highly talented artists, but I wondered how most of the dancers in India were, not just the few exceptional.
So, I went with high hopes to Chennai in January and witnessed many well-known younger artists as well as some senior artists. I was surprised when I witnessed the programs. Some were mediocre and some were good, nothing fantastic. Compared to my expectations, I found that the araimandi we "should see" is undetectable except in a select few, the choreography is boring and repetitive, the abhinaya is elementary and all too normal. Do not misunderstand me--- these performances were by no means bad... but this picture I had in mind of dancers in India definitely morphed into something else by the end of my stay in Chennai. I was simply a bit disappointed.
I can show you the same abhinaya, choreography, araimandi, and whatever else (I just chose those three aspects as examples) of dancers born and bred right here in the U.S.. and of those who migrated from India. Of course, there are not as many, but remember we have fewer dancers. Some young dancers here rival senior artists in India! What can one say about that? There are also horrible dancers in India (many!) and many average dancers. Hence, there are no grounds for making sweeping generalizations about American dancers. It is best to recognize that while India has much talent (and it does, despite my earlier comments, because I for one will not generalize), it also has much mediocrity... and the same can be said for America on a proportionally smaller scale.
The comment about "caliber" meaning "money" or "publicity" is another ridiculous generalization. You don't think this happens in India all the time, in not just the arts, but in every field??? Let's not be hypocritical here.
I have argued my heart out and it is my hope I've at least got you to open up your mind a bit. I am a young dancer in my late teens born, raised, and still living in the U.S.. I have been dancing this beautiful art ever since I was 5 and to this day am in love with it. I won't proclaim I'm a good or bad dancer, or that I know every word of the Natya Shastra, but I will say that my love for dance is genuine and that I know what quality dance is. I am American and proud, influenced (naturally!) by American culture, but I love India so much that I never wanted to leave it when I visited, and it is unfair for you to suggest that my American life has spoiled or will spoil my dance.
And I have been told that my "wry grin" is actually quite appealing on stage. Thank you.
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