Dance musings 3: NOW is the foundation of Tomorrow

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It may sound philosophical to say that we must let go of the past and not build castles in a distant future. Be it self-help methods, Gurus or meditation apps you have just downloaded, they all reiterate the importance of living in the NOW. But this is not to say that we must not acknowledge our inheritance of a time gone by- the inheritance of a culture- of practices, rituals, traditions and the like. This is the inheritance that defines us as a society- our likes, dislikes, attitudes and emotion. And if we must move into better tomorrows, it becomes all the more important to assess our past, learn from it and live a NOW that is the foundation of a better tomorrow.

Does this only talk of our life in general or does it resonate with the professional world of the arts? It has much to do with the way we must look at the arts scene as it exists today, if we must move into a more conducive environment for the arts tomorrow. However to assess the entire spectrum across which the arts are learnt, taught and practiced seems not only an uphill task but also highly improbable. This is because the arts scene as we see it today is dynamic and diverse like never before. Since it is impossible to assess all  facets of performing arts around the world, I will restrict myself to a few narrow symptoms and situations. Read on...

The Arts have always and will continue to reflect the socio-cultural landscape in which it thrives. And therefore it takes on different cloaks based on geography as well. The same genre of dance may be practiced as a temple ritual in one place and as a part of a professional dance company in another- all at the same time. Questions here arise on the real purpose of the art- if it is meant as a ritual, do we understand it in entirety before placing it within other contexts? Or do we assume that the novelty of it will bring in larger audiences and therefore a higher quantum of attention and returns? To place ourselves in a plane of idealism becomes important at such instances. Intentions have to be directed towards safeguarding the art rather than the artiste.

Talking of context, in recent times, several performers have plucked poems, movements and formats and placed them in performances far removed from what one is accustomed to seeing. These could be successful experiments when the performer has researched the original intent and historical context of these poems/movements/formats. This could then set one onto a path that has not been treaded upon and out of this will be born the kind of novelty that leads the way forward. Unfortunately, there are those who misplace the very same poems or movements in contexts that are ill-informed. In the hurry to prove a point, state a political view or take a social standing, objectivity takes a beating. When such ill-informed notions and ideologies get propagated through art, we have made a disservice to both- art and society. So how do we sieve out the correct from the incorrect? The real scholars must call out mistakes in the open. Research in the arts, much like in any other field, cannot begin with pre-conceived notions. Artistes must be able to circumvent biases and not be driven by it. Art can comment on the socio-political-cultural landscape, but prevalent commentaries must not bully or veer artistic narratives.

Who then moulds artistic narratives? You will hear voices call out privilege- for it is only the privileged who walk forward and are heard by the majority. The rest are nudging, budging and trying to take a step forward. Privileges of caste, lineage and geography have been discussed across several platforms. How do we move into a tomorrow that promises equal opportunity to create narratives? The answer lies in creating opportunities to learn and study the arts at the grassroots level across various sections of society. For this, one needs teachers well-versed in the art, not those looking to make a quick buck from their hardly-5-year-learning stint. Does this mean one makes certification mandatory? Certified by whom and where?

The subjectivity of art often leaves us with more questions than answers. But it is important to ask these questions. And look diligently for answers. That is the only way we live a NOW that is the foundation for a better tomorrow!

Many more questions and answers will follow...

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