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Posted by Megha on March 01, 2007 at 12:06:59:
In Reply to: Re: Season Talk posted by Arts enthusiast followup on March 01, 2007 at 00:33:59:
I just wished to add that the Chennai festival season is really awesome because there are so many dancers and offer such a wide variety of experiences. Depending on the sensitivity and scholarship of the audience, there is a show that one can attend. I want to applaud that not all Bharatanatyam dancers do the same thing the same way. There were so many lecdems by the senior gurus, Best of Kalakshetra, the annual dance competition of the juniors, Smt. Anita Guha's dance ballets, LOTS of solo performers, Tribute to Saint Thyagaraja through dance for the Pancharatna Kritis... (these are a few i went to) It was facinating to see artist's interpretations. Some appealed to the subtle senses and others were blatant and energetic. In all, I think the quality of the art is very very high. And the best part is that it is available to audiences at very low cost, most times free.
I wish there was a tendency among general people to see more programs in the halls rather than watch them on TV. Further, I wish all dancers were paid more so that those who cannot afford to sponsor their own show today can also participate in the festival. Today dancers seem to lose money with each show.
Dancers seem to have an ecosystem. I think God makes only a certain number of us feel for dance. So we end up at each others shows more than the normal general audience and support each other by being there. Most members of the normal audience are there because their relatives are in the show. There are very few paying audience members who are there simply to see ... I am not sure how this ecosystem is sustainable... Dancers either have to pay for their own show or they receive Rs. 3000 and pay Rs. 8000 to the orchestra. It just does not seem sustainable to be a performer.
I think senior dancers somehow have to create a package for non dancer audiences and be sure that they pay for the show and that they make a profit with each show. If they themselves are dancing for free and by losing money, what will the juniors do? Thoughts?
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