Facts after farce
This has reference to a review of my dance performance by Leela Venkataraman, which appeared in The Hindu Friday Review (Page 2) on September 8.
While I thank your dance critic for her encouraging remarks about my dance, it is my duty to place before you certain facts related to the performance. In this review, the critic passes certain remarks without correctly relating the events of the evening.
The blurb given by your paper refers to a "walk-out" staged by percussionist Chandrasekhar - a term which is evidently extracted from Leela Ventaraman's review.
However, it was my decision to request the mridangist to discontinue playing in the second half of the performance. As the percussionist was specifically requested to leave the stage, the use of the word "walk-out" is hardly appropriate. The dance recital and all related arrangements were handled by me. I had engaged the musicians in my professional capacity as an individual dancer. As a member of the audience, my guru was free to arrive at any time convenient. She had no specific role in the concert. It is irrelevant whether she arrives late or does not attend the concert at all. However, it must be clarified that she was indeed present from the beginning.While the critic is free to express an opinion, I as the affected dancer, am also entitled to present my concert and related explanations to the audience in any manner that I choose.
I believe that dancing is more than being able to present a neat performance and professional performing artistes stand for certain values which reflect our age-old sanskara or culture. In the face of the ugly situation my guru and I can hardly be chastised for sharing our concerns with the audience in whose full view the drama took place.
NANDINI NANDAN
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