A step back to the source of being

Priyadarshini Govind, the current director of Kalakshetra, is also the convenor of the annual, six-day Natya Kala Conference, which, this year, is centered around the topic, ‘Rhythm and Vibes’.

The annual event, organised in the city during the Margazhi season, sees a confluence of some of the greatest minds from the performing arts scenario who offer their time and ideas for discussion. While last year’s theme -— Samahit — when Parallels Meet — dealt with influences from external factors affecting creation, practice and performance in art, this year’s conference discusses Laya or rhythm as a source of all being.

Within the prism of dance, the conference tries to draw parallels between one rhythmic source and its many vibrations across the arts. Priyadarshini Govind says, “Rhythm is an invaluable part of all art forms, not just dance and music. All artists need to understand rhythm both internally and externally. We create a forum for discussion at such a conference for artists from all the varied art forms, including theatre, music and art,  among others.”

With the birth of creative form arising between the beginning and end of a particular rhythmic cycle, the theme of the conference deals with how the end itself becomes the beginning of another creation. The topics will explore the various points of view on rhythm as artists investigate its presence in rituals, devotional practice and daily life, besides folk rhythms and more.

Prashanth Shah, a senior Kathak dancer-choreographer, a  disciple of Kumudini Lakhia’s and also a recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, who is attending the conference this year, says, “Rhythm and Vibes — it’s one of the most integral part of any artistic creation. These are the two poles which are interrelated in any dance form. To me, they are complementary to each other. Both the aspects are interwoven in a piece, depending upon the aesthetics of the form and the demand of the subject line. Rhythm is like water and Vibes like air. For instance, both water and air are the most essential elements for survival. So too, any creative artiste has to learn and absorb elements of ‘Rhythm’ and ‘Vibes’ in their final product.”

Prashanth is collaborating with Bharatanatyam dancer Rukmini Vijayakumar to explore some of these aspects through a performance at the conference. The Ahmedabad- and New York-based dancer points out that a conference of this nature “is not just a platform for dance and music performances. It is also an opportunity for an in-depth analysis of dance and music with respect to the sensitivity and sensibility involved in its creation by both leading and upcoming artistes from different genres.”

Curating such an event, says Priyadarshini, has been most ‘fulfilling’, attributing its scope and bandwidth to the support of her team, “especially to Prabhu anna and Akila Krishnamurthy who worked so hard to make such a conference happen”.

Priyadarshini, who took over the post of director of Kalakshetra in August 2013, says she has been completely absorbed by her responsibilities and the forthcoming 61st edition of the Kalakshetra Festival. “It is too soon to be talking about my experience as the director, but I realise that it is as much about upholding a legendary vision as it is about making any changes. My day starts early, reaching Kalakshetra for the morning prayers, with most of day spent in work.”

Juggling various administrative duties as director, she says she has let her own performances take a back seat. But that was part of the plan, she says. “The moment I took up the directorship, I wanted all my attention and focus to be centered around Kalakshetra. I feel it is important to commit both physically and mentally to fulfill the grand vision of Rukmini Devi and I’m very happy to be performing the duties I’ve been entrusted with.”

The Natya Kala Conference 2013 will be on between December 26 and 31. 

Anil Srinivasan, Pianist

Pianist Anil Srinivasan, who presented his version on the topic of Rhythm, talked about how playing the piano too requires rhythm in equal measure. Making an interesting point, he elaborates, “Even though we feel that rhythm pertains to dance more, one needs to understand that it can be extended to all forms and instruments in music and not just the percussion. People generally think of the piano as a just melody instrument. But I propose to discuss its possibility of being a percussion instrument as well. A pianist too requires a sense of rhythm and a conference such as this is ideal to discuss many thoughts about the art form and the artist.