Challangers & Detractors; Intolerance - Artist Perspective

While I was reading an article written by an Artist, came across the two words that mystify an Artist. Challengers and Detractors! (Add Intolerance too?).This was in the context of being confronted on their artistic expressions in dance or art. 

An Artist who feels that their ideas or that they themselves are being challenged, misinterpreted or facing intolerance gives an impression that society is constraining them in expression of their artistic-thoughts. Is it always true? 

Going down the unbeaten path happens naturally with passage of time (compulsion at times) and the hardship does not by itself accrue upon the artist. That there is resistance, that they are challengers and that there could be detractors.. is a feeling that would negate their thought process. 

Very often, it may even happen due to lack of planning! (Else how would you explain the resistance?) At least in most cases, that could be the case.

An Artist Expression is deliberate at times so as to build this feeling of suffocation on his or her Target Audience. When viewed from such "needles eye" of suspicion, an Artist is then expected to use the words of Challangers & Detractors. If not, it is Marketing the Emptiness of the Artist's Work. 

The path to feeling that ones work is constrained by the "challengers & detractors" may be detrimental in the long run. There are some artists that follow this path believing that the "shock" would gain the momentum in their career. Risky. 

(C), PriyaLasya, Do Not Copy, Copyrights Acknowledged

A Teacher Instructs You But A " Guru " Constructs You - August 2015

A Teacher Instructs You But A " Guru " Constructs You
-Contributed by Sri Rashmi Ranjan
-rashmi.ranjan.dance@gmail.com

August 2015

My Guru Smt Aruna Mohanty is one such live instance. She is a second mother to me . She is a guru who makes you responsible for your growth, who sends you on the road to freedom and yet acts a pointer to the way. She shows you the way to posterity and touches your spirit. Any teacher punishes you with compassion . She leads us by examples . might punish you with a stick for your mistakes but she is a guru who 

God to us because one can always find a teacher but only lucky ones The relationship is life long and deep .  "Guru" is such a divine gift of us the light of knowledge. Knowledge of who we are, how to relate can find a "Guru" . A guru to a shisya is like a mother to a child . The word  "Guru" truly means the one who dispels darkness and gives hallmark of excellence. There is much importance and requirement with the world and achieve true success. Most importantly, how to transcend the world and reach the abode of infinite Bliss which is the of a Guru in every walk of our life.

arena, the spark in her eyes was just enough to communicate all the Yesterday only while teaching us , Baby apa ( Aruna Mohanty ) told us how she wanted to see us as "intelligentdancers" in the international things in her heart... I am so lucky being able to get sucha Guru whose created by her . She believes Odissi being an art form is an imitation 

presence in my life is a blessing to me . She has got magic that each time she teaches she takes us into a complete another world, we get soo involved that we don't want to come out of that magical world of the life we see around us . She would teach us the same way taking

to give atlst 5 % of her effort, love, care,, dedication to my students!! real life examples, instances from our day to day works, insisting us to say the dialouges and dance..

Its just sooo much fun and a loot of things to learn. She has got a special skill to teach every age of people the way they can understand, I sometimes wonder will I ever be able

Introduction to Sri Rashmi Ranjan:

Trained and groomed at Odisha Dance Academy under the guidance of guru 

Smt Aruna Mohanty, Rashmi  is one of the most versatile dancers of his generation

Rashmi, an unique blend of dancer, stands out for hypnotizing the audience by his

He is renowned internationally for his striking combination of  the male energy 

intricate footwork, mesmerizing expressions, unbeatable style and perfectionism. 

with gentle and graceful movements performed without compromising the 

ancient Indian aesthetic values

Contributor, Rashmi Ranjan, Aruna Mohanty

PriyaLasya, Copyrights Acknowledged, 

(C), Do Not Copy, Copyrights Acknowledged,

Srjan Summer Workshop - Sanskrit Sessions - May 2015

Pt Nityananda Misra 

As part of Srjan Summer Workshop for a month - 10th May 2015 to 10th June 2015, Sri Nityananda Misra, held sessions relating to the language Sanskrit in Srjan's Bhubaneswar premises.

It is very important for a dancer to understand the shastras and the rich literary content and music of any classical dance form. Some Gurus and Institutes give utmost importance to providing the 360 degree teaching and in a manner befitting Guru Parampara tradition. I am glad to have come across the Srjan Summer-workshop and requested Sri Ratikant ji for publishing his very personal note and I am very thankful and obliged to him and Srjan for their gracious acceptance. 

A note from Sri Ratikant Mohapatra::

Pt. Nityananda Misra, elucidating the importance of Sanskrit literature for Indian classical dance and its correct pronunciation while composing music for dance using the Sanskrit text.

As always and each time it is a great learning experience with Nityananda sir. Easily transmits the essence of his experience to the listeners’ consciousness. 

srjan, bhubaneswar, workshop, sanskrit, (C), may2015, nityananda misra, ratikant mohapatra, papers, article, do not copy, copyrights acknowledged

Dance Review- Pay Attention

Dance Reviews:

Why dance reviews are still very important?

Primarliy:

> Do not get confused with dance reports, program reviews and notes to dance reviews.

> Not every review is a review. Reviews in national news papers from known and acknowledged critics carry more weight as compared to simple and general reviews from attendees.

True Critic:

The true critic is a true friend. I come up with good amount of post- performance material but nothing is more valuable than a good third party, unrelated but neutral critic. A true critic bridges the distance between the dancer and the common man

Role of Organizers:

Even organizers should not shy away from giving importance and respect to neutral writers. Most of the organizers fear that the repute of their events would get tarnished if there is a bad review. But remember, everybody knows that an organizer has nothing to do with the reviews of a neutral writer and standing the test of a neutral and learnt critic enhances the reputation of the organizer in the long run. 

Never allow conflict of interest and never try to denounce a critic - readers/ enthusiasts play a key role here:

Both organizers and dancers should never interfere with a critic's work. Patience pays and  if dancer's pay attention to the material and analyses the content of the review, it would prove to be a valuable lesson and exercise.

Lastly:

Pay attention to dance reviews, don't pay to dance reviewers to get a good review. 

(C), do not copy, copyrights acknowledged, article, mar2015, priyalasya