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In every civilisation, culture played a major role in curating its process and establishing its identity. And this further exaggerated the potential of its belief system along with rituals, which later took form of being a religion. It is understood that, the core value and identity of a religion directly impacts its related culture.
The Indian classical dances and music has a very close association with its Gods and Goddesses. The performance presentations establishes a firm bonding in between the human performer (Jeevatma) and the supreme being (Paramatma). Lord Shiva, the Adi Yogi is the creator of Tandava Nritya and is worshipped as the cosmic dancer in form of Nataraj. Goddess Parvati is known to teach and bring the Lashya form of dancing onto the earth through the milkmaids of Dwarka. Lord Shri Krishna, the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu is equipped with all the 16 Kala or divine qualities and His mastery over all fine arts popularised Him for His flute playing and dancing. During taming down the Kaliya serpent, Shreemad Bhagawat Geeta 10.16.26 mentions Shri Krishna in its last line as the Adi Guru of all fine arts, "’khila-kalādi-gurur nanarta" and in 10.16.27 in its first line mentioned Him to be dancing, "taṁ nartum udyatam avekṣya tadā tadīya". Lord Ganesha plays the Mridanga, which is believed to be created by Lord Brahma during the time when Lord Shiva defeated the demon Tripurasura. Goddess Saraswati is commonly portrayed with a Veena because the Veena symbolizes knowledge and learning in Hinduism, showcasing mastery and dedication and embodies the quest for wisdom and enlightenment. Demigod Vishwakarma at the instruction of Swati Muni created the three headed Pushkara instrument containing mud, which produces sounds similar to falling of raindrops.
And when an art form which is so integrally associated with religion, adjoining it to an arena of entertainment only is highly threatening. Because, it will easily be spacing out these traditional art forms towards unethical external demands disrespecting the years of penance required to attain its expertise and most importantly its dignity is compromised. Undoubtedly, the contemporary world demands to incorporate various essence from different perspectives to gain benefit in form of larger number of spectators, monetary and viewers in the social media. But, all those who are responsible for its preservation requires to voice out for safeguard of its sanctity.
I do not want to portray myself as one of the most conventional art preserver. But, yes some things when they emerge to be threatening, then it's time to be cautious well in advance. I am concerned and so have voiced onto this.
Recently, in an event in Guwahati, wherein Sunny Leone was invited, a group dressed in the traditional attire of Bihu folk dance of Assam were welcoming her on her item song 'Ye Duniya Pittal Ki'. Dislikes and comments floaded over the social media and which was very much expected. The video was viral via a Facebook account of Samuel Lepcha who is having 53,000 followers approximately and this has been played over 2.7M times which is the highest play as compared to the account holder's other videos. For those who do not belong to the field of this particular dance art or infact any other traditional Indian dance art might not trigger the upcoming discontenments which will push an entire community into delusion disregarding its emergence and staking their traditional values, attire which represents their age old weaving culture, music, literature, dance movements and much more. Why the organisers if at all wanted to portray their guest could not welcome her with a traditional Bihu folk dance? And if not, then why they could not dance in any other decent modern dance costume onto the same item song? Enactments as such display a great lack of intelligence and common sense.
And the other thing I was concerned about is portraying Koodiyattam dance of Kerela in a television reality dance show, which is a traditional performing art of the State, originated 2000 years ago and which is an amalgamation of ancient Sanskrit theatre and elements of Koothu performing art from the Sangam era. Moreover, it is officially declared by the UNESCO as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity and a masterpiece of Oral tradition. In the said episode of the India's Best Dance - Season 4, both the dancers performed incredibly well but again the question is why onto the song of Karishma Kapoor? The episode was dedicated to the bollywood actress Karishma Kapoor but to involve a thousand years old performing art wherein representation of the State, its emotions and most importantly the devotion of not only its performers but also of its spectators is attached, we need to use our mindset as to what was reality important? The song onto which they performed or the 2000 years old Koodiyattam dance that is also badged as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Dance reality shows have brought some of the finest dancers of varied age groups in the Indian television and through it many best and deserving dancers got recognition and also many unknown dance arts got a platform. I was amazed to watch the beautiful performance done by the couple on Karishma Kapoor's song but had they performed it on a musical piece of the Koodiyattam dance itself, then it could have done 100% justice to the dance art as well as popularising it in the right way and not polluting the concept.
It is not mandatory that, cultural religionism is only attached to Gods or the supreme being. It is its process of maintenance and preservation which is no smaller than following it like a religion. Where thousands of traditional artistes are struggling daily for acquiring even a decent livelihood and performances as such leads to the deepest question as to why then there is a need to have a category like Intangible Heritage or traditional performing art form? Because in both the conditions stated above, the viewers are common mass who is totally unknown to the depth and intensity of the Indian traditional performing art forms. Either portray it in its demanded manner or just simply quit in displaying it at all.
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