As
Indian dance traditions continue to thrive, faithfully mirroring an age-old
culture, there are several powerful currents that are exploring new forms
and questioning established norms of performance.
It
is through this new and fast moving group - loosely termed as ‘modern’
or ‘creative’ - that themes like environment, youth and women’s issues
have been showcased in music and dance. Some choreographers have chosen
to explore the primary impulses of the human body; others have used the
lexicon of classical dance hastas to interpret lyrics in western language;
some others are incorporating multi-media techniques and elaborate stagecraft
to convey their message.
In
most cases these pathbreakers have moved away from the elaborate, bejewelled,
coy image of a traditional dancer to visuals that appear bolder, more graphic
and provocative.
In
all these creative excursions we are seeing a new and exciting equation
of performance styles and standards. Some of these performers have chosen
to directly attack the traditional bastions of Indian dance, often inviting
fury and criticism from shocked purists. Others have chosen a more concillatory
path, seeking the blessings of their gurus while striking out in personal
voyages of creative expression through dance.
All
the members of this new breed have imbibed training in one or more of the
classical styles and are using their trained bodies along with the language
of Indian dance and music to explore the inner reaches of the human mind,
to chase the shadows of reality and illusion and to encompass themes and
ideas that strike more directly at the heart of today’s audience. |
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