Beyond ballet: call for Bharatha Natyam’s recognition in local education

Dr Devi Rajab argues that Bharatha Natyam deserves equal recognition, funding and inclusion in South African schools alongside Western art forms like ballet

- YOGIN DEVAN and MONISHKA GOVENDER

LEFT: Sivani Chinappan Moodley and Sibusiso Ndebele. Supplied RIGHT: Verushka Pather. BELOW: The Surialanga Dance Company performing at Oceans Umhlanga roof-wetting event.

(Supplied)

THE 2 000-year-old South Indian classical dance form, Bharatha Natyam, deserves its rightful place in our schools and our national stages with state funding.

Sadly, only Western art forms such as ballet are regarded as valid or worthy.

"It is time Bharatha Natyam is recognised and appreciated by people outside of the Indian community," says Dr Devi Rajab, an award-winning columnist, academic and thought leader.

She was speaking at the Bharatha Natyam arangetram (debut public performance) in Durban of a young student of the celebrated dance form.

After tracing Bharatha Natyam's journey from sacred heights to social marginalisation in colonial India, and then its powerful revival, Rajab said Bharatha Natyam needed greater exposure to a larger section of the South African population.

"Bollywood seems to project a modern depiction of popular dance with a life of its own, far removed from classical traditional dance forms.

"Almost every movie today depicts a modern dance form of jumping around and pivoting in athletic jamboree of movement with little content or meaning.

"So it is of great significance when young dancers spend years trying to master, and keep alive and preserve a dying art form with all its traditional significance.

"We have come a long way today in terms of opportunities for our children in dance and drama, but cultural silos limit our appreciation of the arts to a particular sector of society. While ballet may be regarded as mainstream, Bharatha Natyam is still very much an exclusive art form peculiar to South Indians and embedded in religious and cultural practices," she said.