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Music & Dance
'We love India'
VIJAY K. Palaparty, who plays Kovalan is evidently happy. He understands that much stands on his slight shoulders and says ``I have danced for 12 years now... Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi. And at this point of my dance career, it was either to continue or stop. Coming here and doing this helped me make that decision. And to realise the value of these traditional ancient art forms.
Being in the U.S. he says we tend to forget the value because there is no consistent guru, a consistent flow of energy. ``Once in India, sometimes I even feel lost among the overwhelming amount of energy that is flowing between the musicians, the dancers, and all the students. The creative process is overwhelming. Now I don't think I would even think of giving up dance'' Vijay has found the role challenging. ``It requires the most I've ever put into a performance regarding abhinaya, nritya, natya," he says. The others include Rachel Adler, Laura Andrews, Kathryn Berkson, Christopher Burns, Kristen Coyne, William Culp, Jeffery Goodrich, Kenneth Hadden, Carla Jones, Linn Katus, Amanda Liberatore, Ilyse Morgenstien, Cameron Pittlecow, Amy Rhoades, Eva Robinson, Elizabeth Schmidt, Nathan Smiley and Sarah Stewart. One of them says, ``I came here just to absorb as much as possible and it is definitely a completely new art form for me personally. So, starting from square one as opposed to having some sort of an exposure or experience of it. It's very interesting to watch, also very difficult to do and it's amazing to think about the people we are working with right now. I still don't think I've fully grasped the calibre of Sudharani or anybody else that we are working with." Another found all her teachers ``really great and understanding because we are definitely all beginners but what we are doing is completely, don't know anything about dance or anything before I started." One says India is very different. ``It took me a while to adjust — everything — just walking down roads that are half dug up. Now I've started to feel normal about it."One of the boys says, ``I found it very difficult in the beginning while learning the dance steps. I didn't think I would be able to get certain positions that my hands would never be able to hold them. Now it comes much more naturally." Another boy who plays the saxophone in the band is also the `evildoer' as he calls it. And does he enjoy playing that? ``It is not too complicated," he replies. ``I've done theatre in America," he explains. They bid goodbye saying their experiences don't end with just this. The troupe will tour South India and come back with renewed energy to tackle the show for the season.
C.M.
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