May I add!

Posted by Lada Guruden Singh (202.141.141.10) on June 29, 2006 at 07:09:27:

In Reply to: "Dance: Genre of exclusivity" - by L. Singh posted by Arul Francis on June 26, 2006 at 16:25:31:

Arul,

Its always gratifying to read responses to one's article. Thanks for your informed collary. But, if I may add, you have perhaps missed two vital points that the article DOES mention which should answer your doubts (and disagreements).

Did you read the entire article?

No, I am suspecting but just adding for your sake, the relevant portions from the article.

Because dance is not considered a paying profession, few people take it up professionally. This in one way cuts the charm of even learning ballet because of its high wire demands on body that is usually put through the grind in the early years. The situation becomes peculiar for an Indian origin dancer because of the collective investment on culture by the community abroad.
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There is more to be read between the lines due to the dubious history of ballet. Tracing its origins to 15th century Renaissance Italy and 16th century France, ballet has been an essentially European art with its strong affinity with the spectacular courts of Renaissance Kings.
The dance, while invoking an all-inclusive vision of poetry, music and painting became an exclusive genre for only white dancers. Till a few decades ago, the situation hadn't changed much and as recently as last week, a unique exhibit, "Classic Black" about the little known history and struggles of African-American black dancers through the mid-1900s, was opened for the public at Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center, at Jackson, Mississippi,USA.

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For a lot of black ballet performers it has been a humiliating experience to see that white dancers paint themselves to enact the roles designed for "black" performers.

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Now for the BN dancers you said, were mediocre. I think you should watch Justin's performance. he has trained some extraordinary students without caring about the limelight.And his own dance is par excellence.

As for his teachers, no where in the article, is there an attempt to suggest they were prominent!

Here is the relevant passage for your benefit once again...

In fact, Justin McCarthy took his first steps in Bharatanatyam in California under Lesandre Ayrey and Mimi Janislauuski before he came to India.

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Also, if I may add, it is important for us to know if any Indian even tried entering the ballet zone and what were the reasons behind it and the apparent success and failure.

Ballet has been known for its exclusive character and I am afraid to add your bias against classical Indian dancers comes through.
The difference between the dance styles and therefore between the dancers is the one of investment on the culture,religion and philosophyon one hand and the body on the other ( not suggesting that ballet does not have a relation with physics!).

As for the rigours in dance form, the 108 karnas should put ballet to shame! And why to forget tradiotional south indian folk martial dances.

(Just twitching your funny bone!)
Hope you don't mind.

Thanks for reading the article and for enlightening me further on the training in ballet.
Warm Regards,
Lada.