Sree Sankara College of Dance has started a system of accreditation to grade dancers and Carnatic vocalists.
Photo: H. Vibhu
Dancing queens: Accredited dancers of Sree Sankara School of Dance.
In almost all fields of professional life, accreditation is a status granted for achieving stated criteria of quality. Performing arts is perhaps one area where the system of accreditation has not been conferred. Institutions and programmes are accorded this status but there is no specific system in place to judge the ability of an individual performer.
The absence of such a system often retards the progress of young performers. With no gradation or accreditation list available, organisations still resort to the tried and tested names in the field. The losers in the bargain are the youngsters.
Relevant system
It is in this context that Sree Sankara College of Dance’s accreditation system becomes relevant. A special body, Sree Sankara Assessment and Accreditation Council, of the institution offers accreditation in Mohiniyattom, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Carnatic music (vocal).
“What we have seen is that most of the youngsters tend to stop performing after completing their school education. Only a handful of them pursue their art or turn professionals. And even those few are not graded. There is so much to the classical arts than what one learns in an institution; so much more to make one a true professional. That is why we decided to introduce this system,” explains P.V. Peethambaran, founder of the college.
This system is not only for students of the school. Anyone who has completed at least five years of training in any of the disciplines can apply for accreditation.
“We have a specific application form. Usually these forms are available at our college in Kalady from September. The process starts from December. There is a written examination, followed by a professional skill test, a test to gauge the applicant’s knowledge of English and Malayalam communication skills, a viva voce where the candidate will have to answer questions based on what they performed, and finally a open house, which will have all the candidates, technical committee members, parents,...,” says Professor Peethambaran.
Quality control
The fundamental purpose of accreditation is to assure the quality and to assist the improvement of the performer. It is such a kind of assessment that is missing here now.
It is basically an assessment of professionalism, almost like the NAAC assessment system for colleges. It was only in 2003 that the accreditation system began for dancers. By now it has got a fairly good response. Students from outside the college have begun to realise the significance of the system. Two of them have already got accredited.
Young dancers have become aware of the importance of communication, which is what most of them here lack. This is a useful finishing programme,” says technical director, accreditation/production, C.P. Unnikrishnan.
The Sree Sankara School of Dance, established in 1993, promotes training programmes in classical dance, focussing on rural areas. It has established 15 training centres in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. The school gives special emphasis on the ‘gurukulam’ method of training.
“We also promote research indirectly by instituting awards for the best classical thesis. Mala Ranganath (Mohiniyattom), S. Bhagyalakshmi (music) K. Omanakutty (music) and Devi Prasad (Kathakali) are some of the recipients of the award.
“We are also engaged in publication of books useful to beginners on classical dance. ‘Natyavijananam,’ a series of five volumes, has been one of our important publications. The annual dance and music festival we organise attracts some of the best performers and talents,” says Professor Peethambaran.
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