Though there is no denying the fact that Chennai is a prominent cultural hub in the contry, one can’t also deny that it is only limited to traditional and Indian forms of arts. The western dance scene in Chennai, although growing, still does not match up to the levels of metros yet.
Constantly trying to bridge the gap are Varsha Ramesh and Alisha Ajit of the Jellyfish dance company. The duo, which introduced one of the city’s first aerial silk dance workshops earlier this year, is now bringing Svetana Kanwar, a jazz expert, for a dance workshop over the weekend!
Alisha, along with Varsha, started teaching dance part-time in college and that eventually grew into Jellyfish today.
Talking about the need for quality dance education in the city, Alisha says, “Having had a solid technical training in dance, we know the value of having a structured training setup. We make sure that the classes aren’t just about getting the technique right, but also the experience you have in a dance class, because the art shapes the person you eventually become.”
Alisha and Varsha visit Mumbai often to learn different types of dances. It was during one such class that they met Svetana Kanwar. “We attended her jazz technique class, and she is an amazing teacher. We are very excited for the class as there are many dancers, who are waiting to learn from her, and that includes Varsha and I as well!”
Sharing with us what she calls her ‘first love’, Svetana says, “Jazz is was and will always be my first love. It’s a form that comes naturally to me, I have practised it so much and for so long. I can do it in my sleep! Even though dancing as a whole was picking up big time, tjazz wasn’t getting very popular. People want to learn hiphop, Bollywood, and even contemporary, but not many wanted or knew much about jazz. It’s a naturally sensuous form, and based a lot on strong ballet training.”
Google her name and you can find many of Svetana’s dance covers of popular songs. She says that being active on social media is something that many artistes from the community debate about. “I think social media is extremely important in our field. If you are a fabulous artiste, but outside your four walls nobody knows of you or your art, the very purpose is lost. Today, sitting in India, I update myself watching fabulous dancers from LA and New York. When we can’t afford PR, we do it ourselves. We let the world know what we can do. It’s like a resume and CV,” she explains.
There will be two levels of workshops — beginners and advanced. This being Svetana’s first visit to Chennai in ages, she is uite excited. “Being in a room with people who share the same passion as you, is so overwhelming. And I have seen some kickass dancers from here, thanks to social media. So, I literally cannot wait,” she says.
(The classes will be held at Madras Dance Arts, Nelson Manickam Road, and at the Academy of Modern Danse, Alwarpet on July 8 and 9)
