Classical dance is eternal: Dona Ganguly (original) (raw)

A hush fell in the auditorium when the curtains rose. On the stage was a scene from Indrapuri, the abode of the gods. The production, Tagore���s Shapmochan, choreographed by Dona Ganguly and performed by the students of Dikshamanjari. Four costume changes and a mesmerizing hour-long performance later, we managed to meet the danseuse backstage for a quick chat...
Hair and makeup
Putting up a show with around 50 students is hard work.

But I guess we were working harder backstage than on-stage since this production involved so many costume changes right from the beginning. The costumes are very fragile and we were worried about a snip here and a tear there. Everytime I left the stage for the green room, all I asked my co-performers was, ���Is my hair looking fine?��� On stage, it was calm proceedings!
Costume drama?

Shapmochan is a sombre dance drama. Hence it was important for us to keep the performance vibrant. We decided to incorporate colourful costumes. You will find dresses as diverse as Kerala cottons (white with gold border) as well as Bangali tangail in our programmes. I have pondered over using designerwear or outsourcing the costumes to citybased designers. It���s happening in theatre a lot. However, I think it might just restrict creative freedom ��� the designer���s as well as mine.

Keeping classical alive
It���s a fact that parents still want their children to learn classical dance in spite of contemporary and alternative forms of movements slowly inching their way onto the stage. However, there are certain movements that will always remain eternal. For instance, the way a door is depicted through dance, or maybe the way the moon is described, there are these stock mudras that come into play. This is especially true if one is choreographing a dance drama. The movements need to match the narration. However, as long as the schooling is good, the type of dance doesn���t matter.
Home and the pujas
Sana is 10 years old now and she���s pretty good with dance for someone her age. Her movements are mature and very soon, she���ll be even taller than me! Kolkata is the best place to be during the Pujas. Sourav will be spending the Pujas in the city. We���ll be in Mumbai on Shoshthi but Shaptami onwards, we���ll be in Kolkata. I don���t want to have too much on my plate right now and want to enjoy the festive season as I���ll get busy with dance from November.