The world of dance has become an increasingly complex one with instant reality shows luring dancers to quick route to instant fame and success. Having said that, it also has become difficult for dancers to sustain and survive in a world, where reality shows catapult them to limelight. This often leads them to question and remember why they chose to be a dancer. I’m sure many dancers would wonder about why they are dancing and what is their purpose in life. It is said very often that most dance lovers star dancing before they can walk; some sort of musical conductor drives their every move. Dance is the conduit through which our soul speaks and is the metre of our choices.
I know of many young dancers who feel their lives as dancers will be over by their mid-20s because of marriage, excessive work or just too much of dancing. In India we tend to give preference based on the age of dancers and emphasise on it. But if you observe the well-known dancers and their career graph, you will realise that all the great dancers hit their artistic and professional peak well into their 30s and 40s. And in their later years the same artistes’ input and knowledge has been a valuable asset to the profession; be it the queen of choreography Saroj Khan, king of contemporary dance Astad Deboo, the classical dance legend Dr Sonal Mansingh or the guru of dancing Pandit Birju Maharaj. Their contribution to dance created the backbone and stability for future generations and remains the foundation on which new and innovative works and techniques are created.
There are some observations I would like to draw your attention to. Dancers are quite well connected through time. Artistes are born with their passion to create. That doesn’t disappear just because one’s body changes or styles alter. Art transcends the vicissitudes of time and change and so does each artist. As an artiste who has faced many challenges of injury, disability, ageing and the frustrations and disappointments inherent in an artiste’s life, what remains strong and ever evolving is the passion to move the air with your heart, body and soul.
There is a wonderful scene from an iconic film on dance —The Red Shoes. Victoria Page, a young beautiful dancer anxious to join the best ballet company in Europe is asked by the quintessential artistic director, Boris Lermontov on why she wants to dance. Victoria pauses for a moment, as she knows Lermontov thinks she’s only in it for the love of glamour. She responds saying, “Why do you want to live?”
Lermontov is surprised by her question but gives it his own moment of thought. “I don’t know, but I must!” Victoria smiles and says, “That’s my answer too!” And for the first time the two connect in their shared love of the dance and its life force. In our competitive environment we are so often drawn into that whirlwind which is so counterproductive to creativity and visionary thinking that many a time dancers forget their purpose in life.
So my advice to the all the young aspiring dancers is to not lose their ultimate goal and vision. Also do not lose the sight of your purpose, the soul in the fabric of every pirouette and the exhilaration of movement that celebrates your individual expression. So forget about the recognition that reality shows offer. Just remember you dance because you must.