The annual World Dance Day (WDD) celebration organised by Geeta Chandran’s ‘Natyavriksha’, in collaboration with India International Centre (IIC) and the Ministry of Culture, in New Delhi, offered a book launch, film screening, talks and discussion on the subject of dance – touching aspects that have remained integral to the classical arts, along with its annual young dancers festival.
The inaugural day opened with the launch of Leela Venkataraman’s book ‘Indian Classical Dance: The Renaissance and Beyond,’ organised jointly by Geeta and the Niyogi Books, the publisher.
Leela Venkataraman, a regular contributor to dance journals since 1989, is a prolific writer, who has authored several books. Her work and contribution have earned her the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. The book, ‘Indian Classical Dance: The Renaissance and Beyond,’ traces the journey of evolution of Indian classical dance since the years of Independence to the present day covering the eight classical dance forms — Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Manipuri, Mohiniyattom, Odissi and Sattriya. Leela seamlessly weaves together the historical aspect along with the contemporary scenario, looking at the changes in perspective and presentation of Indian classical dance.
Erudite scholars and Gurus such as Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Guru Singhjeet Singh, Guru Jamuna Krishnan, Pavan Varma, Lakshmi Viswanathan and Shanta Sarbjeet Singh adorned the dais to unveil the book along with Leela and publisher, Bikash Niyogi. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vatsyayan joked, “Is Indian classical dance possible in English only?” and then ongratulated Leela on the book. She then explained that, as the name suggests, the book is divided in two sections. “It is a narration in time-bound frame within a certain context. It goes beyond the description of medium of the art that is human body.”
Pointing out the mediocrity that is creeping into classical dance, Pavan Varma emphasised that classical dance is not instant coffee, it is a sadhana . He praised critics such as Leela for guarding it through their critical point of view, insight, knowledge and commentary. Singh narrated the tale of twin sister critics born on same day, same year and under the same raashi — one in Punjab and the other in South India, referring to Shanta Sarbjeet Singh and Leela Venkatraman. He confessed that apart their criticism helped him grow. Lakshmi Viswanathan, who herself has authored many books on dance, remarked that the written work is important and pointed out that Leela was married into a family of great writers so it was inevitable that she would emerge as one. Shanta Sarbjeet Singh further added, “I not only share the same date, year and raashi with Leela but also the same concern about art in a world where everything is measured in terms of money and economic power.”
Speaking on the occasion, Leela said, “Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan has provided me the glue of understanding through her books that gave me an idea of how all the subjects are correlated. This book has been tremendous hard work for me. Many people may not agree with certain assessments that I have reached. What was inward looking has become exhibitionism. Change is inevitable but you have to immerse yourself wholeheartedly into classical music and dance to make a mark.”
