The Artiste and the Wishing Tree

A Pandora's box has been opened.  But instead, take a look at the curious cat  who went looking for a particular colour of yarn!  WHO AM I? What the 'Go Live' shows have done are to focus the spotlight on the disconnect between our lives and the make-believe stage personas we create. This is not to say that a disconnect is wrong. The disconnect has its place in our lives by creating a bubble where our songs and dance become a world unto itself. This is a disconnect that we revel in. When we enter the black-boxes and build in our minds the visuals we will create as performers, when these black-boxes get painted in colour, emotion, masks, facades, swords, stoles and more, the disconnect from our real life and real world is helpful, even enabling. In more ways than one, today, performances have been tailored to suit this ambiance. So now, to take the 'Live' and make it fit into a 'Go Live' is not as simple as it may seem. Content displaced from its usu...

Much has evolved with the format of the classical dance performance. From being essentially a solo performer's arena, it moved into group performances and dance ballets- with Gurus often presenting their disciples in a choreographed group performance. Over the years, both solo and group performances have thrived in their own ways and both formats are equally popular today. Within the framework of the 'Group', recent years have seen the rise of an interesting phenomenon- that of the collaboration. In decades gone by, collaboration between artistes was not absent- but was a rare occurrence. In recent years, both organisers and artistes themselves have been enthusiastic about encouraging collaborations. These could be between artistes from different schools of the same dance form or different dance forms completely. Collaboration could also be a one-time experiment or may grow into a long term association. Either way, collaborations seems to be an interesting confluence to ...

The current Covid-19 crises has taken the world by surprise- a nasty one at that. The pandemic has made it impossible to 'go back' to how we functioned.  It has compelled organisations to relook their relevance to society. Bankruptcy is not too rare any more. Debts are commonplace. Pay-cuts and lay-offs are shaking the corporate world from its very core. Staying afloat has come with its share of ruthlessness. People have realised that they are dispensable in the face of the number game- a harsh and cruel reality that is hitting every socio-economic section of society. The extent to which it affects each is of course different. Some of us stay safe by way of our privilege and economic standing. Much needs to be heard and seen of those who are struggling for a meal or the security of a home. In such an ecosystem, the role of the arts is being debated on several fronts. On one of those fronts are those who believe in the haven that the arts can provide in grim times such as...