Re: Inconvenient as well as pleasant Truth about Non-Indians vs

Posted by marie on March 29, 2007 at 23:18:33:

In Reply to: Inconvenient as well as pleasant Truth about Non-Indians vs posted by European on March 29, 2007 at 10:10:06:

Hi European! :0)

Yes, a dancer from NYC will have different abhinaya, if any at all. That tends to be the major weakness of western dancers. I imagine the future will hold a NYC styled abhinaya, a Chennai abhinaya, a Paris abhinaya, and so on. Meaning that the regions will eventually express different nuances through the arts as they become a part of the cultures there. Way in the future, that is.

Mythology is some one else's religion, according to Joseph Campbell. In some ways the modern, humanistic, atheistic, western mindset is too a mythology.

Phd programs in dance: There is only one I know of in California who will offer a Phd in dance studies, and allow a non-Western (read non-ballet or modern) style as its topic of focus. Do you know of others? That would surprise me as Classical Indian dance is not seen as being on par with Western forms. Yes, ethno-centric...we've got educating to do...

Regarding the value of theory: Bharata was the supreme theoretician. Thankfully so!

On Mc-yoga: yes, sad, isn't it?

My very Indian teachers refer to 'technique' quite freely. That is why I use the word at all. An adavu is an extension of the leg. Raw technique.

That dance is worship of some form or another is not in question. For some egotistical dancers it can even be a form of self-worship.

I don't understand what good you intend by the third-person personal comments, so I'll ignore them. Except to ask one thing: Please do show your siddhi of kindness.

Best to you.