The Hindu : New Delhi News : Life is an extension of dance for this artiste

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 18, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Life is an extension of dance for this artiste

Odissi danseuse Ranjana Gauhar

From working in theatre to making documentaries, noted Odissi dancer Ranjana Gauhar juggles many roles. Madhur Tanka talks to the danseuse who runs an NGO to attract Gen X towards the dance of Gods.

Taking a break from her rehearsal for the “Saare Jahan Se Accha” in the Capital over the weekend, Odissi danseuse Ranjana Gauhar revealed that life for her was an extension of dance. “My unbridled passion for dancing made me train in Kathak and Manipuri even when I was in school. I noticed that the Odissi dance form was never performed in the City. So I frantically searched for a teacher who could teach me the nuances of this dance form. Luckily I came ac ross Guru Mayadhar Rout who agreed to train me in Odissi.”

Even as Ranjana perfected her dancing skills, she studied philosophy for her graduation and took a Master’s degree in literature. “My education and creative skills have stood me in good stead. Actually dance requires tremendous sacrifice. Only those passionate about it, willing to make sacrifices and not expecting too much money should opt for dancing. Blending the traditional with the contemporary is my forte,” says Ranjana, adding that she had taken Odissi to the remote areas in the country and also participated in a number of festivals including Khajuraho, Kalidas and Rukmini Devi Arundale Centenary Festival.

Describing Odissi as the dance of Gods, Ranjana says that this intrinsically passionate style of dance grew out of the traditional temple dance. “Combining storytelling and pure dance in lyrical movements, intricate footwork and sculpture like poses, Odissi has charm and sensuousness. In terms of archaeological evidence, the presence of Odissi dance was first discovered in the cave sculptures in the hills in Orissa. The art form, today known as Odissi, is the descendant of the temple dance that evolved in the Jagannath temple in Puri. In the inner sanctum of this shrine was born the dance of the Mahari or temple dancer, which became a tradition and finds expression in the Geeta Govinda that presents Odissi dance as a ‘niti’ or lifestyle.”

Ranjana says there have been vast changes in Odissi’s physical form from one century to another. “Its style and character have altered under the influence of various religions and dynasties. All this has given Odissi its distinct character. Classical dance is understood to be the synthesis of body and mind because it merges the physical energy with emotional and spiritual energy.”

Under theatre director Rajinder Nath, Ranjana also played lead roles in eight plays. “But as classical dance was my passion, I put theatre on the backburner.”

To rejuvenate classical Indian dance, Ranjana wants the traditional dance forms to be included in school curriculum. “This would bring about appreciation of artistic outlook and children’s restlessness will go away. It would be an outlet for self-expression. Even if corporate houses give 10 per cent of their profits to run a body of arts then Generation X will have a lot of incentive to become professional artists. Later, they could become dance teachers in schools.”

Agreeing that classical dance forms have a lesser following than soap operas and reality shows on the small screen, Ranjana says: “For centuries, dance never had mass appeal. It catered to the taste of evolved and refined minds. Even today dance is associated with the elite. As every skill or art is weighed in terms of money these days, classical dancers are in a dilemma whether they should maintain the classical character or not. To attract the youth to become proficient dancers, my non-government organisation ‘Ustav Educational and Cultural Society-Ranjana’s Academy of Dance’ imparts training in the nuances of Odissi dance forms and holds lectures by dance gurus.”

This multi-faceted personality has also made a number of documentaries on classical dance forms and a film that explores the cultural and historical links between South-East Asia and India.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi