No other state has as many cultural festivals like Odisha does.
Music, dance, theatre, folklore, tribal, ritual and what have you! Other
states in India should surely take a lesson or two in being more
inclusive about art and culture when their budgets are made.
Contemporary dance has been grappling with its ‘Indianness’ over the
last few decades. Having become an undeniable part of the performing
arts world, it is comparable to the English language that has become an
integral part of our day to day transactions. Whizzes have termed it
everything from ‘Modern’, ‘Neo-classical’, ‘Progressive’ and whatever
else. The fact remains, as a creative alternative medium of expression,
Indian dance has found its contemporaneity through its individual
practitioners, often not backed by any institutional endorsements.
“Contemporary dance by Indian dancers is secure in a comfort zone of its
own,” said Uttara Asha Coorlawala, a veteran in the field, at the brief
lecture she delivered at Samakala. Into its second year, the
festival organized by the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi has already grown
into full strength. This year, some of the biggest names from the world
of Indian contemporary dance presented their performances in
Bhubaneswar.
