And just like that! It is 2026!
The Chinese year of the Horse. The sacred month of Margazhi or Margasirsha. The time of holidays, family gatherings, dance meetings and of transition when we watch another 12 months that has flashed past us and a brand new dozen appears, filled with the promise of an improved year ahead.
2025 has been a year of great fluctuations. Many of us in the performing arts have faced major life shuffles, dislocations, health challenges and many ruptures. But the year has also been important for personal development, career shifts and lifestyle readjustments. Global and geo political realities have impacted the arts and have reduced the flow of people and ideas. The rise and rise of digital technology has caught many of us by surprise and is presently overwhelming us with its astonishing complexity and sophistication.
And yet, here I am. Writing this monthly column, now in its 16th year. That means that this is the 190th monthly edition that I am sharing with you. It has been and continues to be a privilege to express my views and opinions as another generation of dance emerges to claim space and attention for Indian dance. Whether Gen Z and the Millennials read my thoughts or not, these will remain as a document of observations and reflections of a dance passionista!
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DR. ANITA Ratnam's analitical note of her observations, reports and. reviews will go a long way and I wish every Naatya practioner and connoisseur should read it for what it is worth. Both myself and Shanta whole heartedly appreciate the points penned and the beautiful and chaste Enlglish language with right and appropriate words used making no noncense of any offensive kind, . Writers and reviewers need to learn from Anita.
ReplyDeleteNo need to pay any more compliment to Narthaki and its inevitable Editor Lalitha V, for being the only art supportive publication in the country with good space available to express and expose the true happenings in the field with no offence meant .
Narthaki is a big boon to the performing artists.
V.P.Dhananjayan
Your writing dances on the page. Like your dance its skilful, DRAWS emotions out of the readers ( not over emotes leaving the audience largely unmoved ), graceful and beautiful. If one excels in ONE field, one has the correct attitude to excel in any/many fields.
ReplyDeleteMadame Anita Ratnam is one of the very very few great artistes who have enough confidence in herself and the great generosity of spirit to PHYSICALLY go to other people's concerts. She also very warmly and understandingly gives out spaces for others to practice in Madras.
It is often with trepidation that I meet great artists. Their personality has often NOTHING to do with their art. But in the case of Madam Anita Ratnam BOTH merge to a wonder and organic whole.
Shri Maha Kali and the Nataraja bless her amply.
Lakshmi Bayi Nalapat.