A dream mission
SHILPA SEBASTIAN R.
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Nritarutya is a group of dancers who see dance as serious business.
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FUTURISTIC Nritarutya’s aim is to prepare the next generation to take dance seriously
Nritarutya is a seven-year old organisation started by a group of youngsters who are passionate about dance and wish to drive home the point that dance “can be serious business.”
“It can be a full time profession and not just a part time pursuit, a hobby. Dance can be a passion and a profession where you can earn your money. We see it as a proper job or a business. We also have our casual and sick leave and all that. Within the company too we have a lot of rules to play.”
The group has eight members — Mayuri Upadhya, the artistic director of the company, Madhuri Upadhya, Sathyanarayan B.G., Geetha Ballal, Umesh Naidu, Rima Kallingal, Rohan Raj and Nayana Bhat. Each one comes from a different classical background and adds in his or her creative bit. “Each has his own strengths and we have tried to develop the company through this,” says Mayuri.
If Mayuri is into choreography then Rima covers the media and PR, Umesh teaches martial arts while Ballal is in charge of finance and Sathyanarayan takes care of the designs and fitness.
Why the need for fitness? “We need some finance to invest in a business. Dance is one for a dancer where the finance is the fitness and the body. Nobody wants to see flabby bodies on stage as dance is a visual art. One has to work out and eat right, this also brings in a sense of discipline,” explains Sathyanarayan. Though the team has been performing and trotting the globe, they now wish to reach out to more number of people and also “prepare the next generation of dancers,” says Madhuri. Nritarutya’s aim is to prepare the next generation to take dance seriously. “It is about the interest and approach. We want to bring in a Methodist structure of business into dancing. Build it as a vocation. It’s a nine-to-five job for us. Dancers here get paid and also trained professionally. So they have to attend classes and perform and be a part of the curriculum that includes martial arts, yoga or choreography,” says Mayuri.
Nritarutya has started a kids performing unit where children can learn dance and also perform on stage. Their latest project is to reach out to children in schools and slums and have workshops in corporate offices.
“The aim is to not just restrict ourselves to one strata of the society,” says Mayuri.
Adhyaya is the latest wing attached to Nritarutya. “We raise finds to organise the whole packaging of young and promising dancers.
The aim is to build this as a common area for all artistes. In fact, we fund their production too for our show,” says Mayuri.
How does a dancer decide what the trends on dancing can be? “We don’t define anything or conclude. But we do a lot of experimentation and also collaborate with others and catch up on their latest techniques and innovations. Indian art is also influencing the art scene outside,” explains Madhuri.
What does the team think of dancing to silence? “That’s a challenge as you have to keep the audience mesmerised with just your movements and yet make them forget that there is no music. Even for dancers to move in perfect co ordination with no audio clue is tough,” says Sathyanarayan.
Isn’t dance a short term profession? Dance is not just about performing and does not end with age. Creativity can still be alive in the mind when you are old and feeble. Yes, you have to be good while on stage as only if you love yourself and feel good about yourself can you convince the audience about what you are doing,” says Sathyanarayan. “Dance is our passion. We are building a team here by just following our dreams,” adds Mayuri.
For details log on to www.nritarutya.com or email nritarutya@ rediffmail.com/yahoo.com
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