‘Is the minimum age to perform on this stage fifty years and above’, someone commented while watching the live telecast of Khajuraho Dance festival on DD Bharti. So many times one wonders why the exponents who particularly look haggered on stage cannot retire gracefully and take the role of revered Gurus and choreographers. Perhaps they have struggled very hard to reach this place and can not let go so easily and the urge to perform too doesn’t ‘t die so soon. There are and have been dancers who are so well maintained that their art and personality does not show their age. That’s fine because it’s a treat to watch their performances.
Dance being a visual art requires a great stage presence which some of our dancers lack though they are well versed in their art and when we compare them to the artists around the world it comes out to be a sad case. Year after year you see the same dancers many times performing in various festivals all over India, thanks to the selection committees. Either there is lack of selection or lack of young talent. I don’t think we don’t have a big lot of young talented dancers. In fact we saw some very good performances by the younger lot in this festival and whenever and wherever they perform they show their class. It is time we bring forward more and more youngsters in these festivals for it is not necessary that they should not get good openings before they are 45 years and above. Now a days we see young people leading the way all over the world in various fields , then why not classical arts as well.
I remember in a festival of dance a very senior dancer was invited to perform. Well above seventy five years of age that lady could not dance herself, though she did show abhinaya on one item which was her forte and the rest of the programme was taken care of by one of her students. Going by the name the organizers do call very senior dancers, whether they perform or not is another matter.
Many a times great Gurus and performers have groomed their students into beautiful artists, it’s high time we make an effort and give way to our younger generation.
Created Date: 20-03-2021 15:41:00
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