Kerala - Kochi   

Bridging the art divide

KOCHI: Engaging the youth is the focus of Vyjayanthi Kashi, Kuchipudi exponent. She prefers to experiment within the classical art and bridge the gap between generations.

Talking to presspersons before her performance at the ongoing Vasanthotsavam at Durbar Hall Grounds on Saturday, Ms. Kashi appeared clear about her mission. “I want to create a passion in every one to learn some art.”

Ms. Kashi’s career as a performer, choreographer, teacher and researcher is impressive. She has featured in several international festivals, such as the Oriental Dance Festival Germany, the Festival of India in Africa, the India Film Festival in Malaga, the Appan Dance Festival in Korea and the Olympic Festival in Italy. She is a member of the Arts and Cultural Committee of the Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Her experience after performing abroad had made her ponder ways to bridge cultural gaps. “Once after performing Vande Mataram at an old-age home in Austria, I gave one flower each to all those old women. One of them hugged me and said, this was the India I had read about. You brought India to me.”

At that point, Ms. Kashi realised that unlike western performers, who were physically more able and fit, the strength of Indian performers was their emotion and spirituality.

It is only that those in the west are open to the new. “In the west, they ask questions after every show. Here, the children do not do that. We should make them ask questions.”

Ms. Kashi took dance to new realms of application, by working on the therapeutic impact of the art, especially for special children and HIV-positive people. She has choreographed “therapeutic theatre projects” for this purpose.

Ms. Kashi was involved in outlining a syllabus for art education in Karnataka, where the State government offers certificate courses for performing arts. She is the founder of the Shambhavi School of Dance, Bangalore.

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