Indian Contemporary Dance Extravaganza

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It is well-known that Indian classical dances, rooted in deep traditions, came virtually into their own after the nation's Independence. But the process had begun in the 1930's, gathered momentum soon and received ample re-vitalisation within next half a century. Interestingly, it was in the 1930's, too, that modern dance – based on contemporary sensibilities – also burst upon the scene. Inspired by the Western sources, but consolidated by Uday Shankar and his ardent disciples, many exciting dance-styles have emerged which depend primarily on their practitioners. The collective corpus of their work is seen here through an analytical eye, — in dialogue with the dancers: so as not to miss their own creative viewpoints. To each critical survey's body-and-soul has been added the dancers' own voice, — by including Kolkata and Delhi overviews by two prominent professionals of contemporary genre. This is an unusual stance, — steering clear of high scholarship and capturing, instead, the aura and aroma of practice alongside personality. Indeed, multiple ideas and issue — with newer and newer themes even for classical solos and resembles — have re-discovered their nascent focus; dance-dramas and ballets have touched new pinnacles; myriad folk forms are re-arranged to usher in new resilience; and choreographic festivals are energised to inject novel concepts. Lands, far and near, have frequently discovered new affinities with this ancient civilisation. Not least, a process is on to digitise and archive prevalent dance-creations, often throwing up unexpected angles. All in all, the book – lavishly illustrated — tries to faithfully mirror the exciting times that Indian contemporary dance lives in today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal K Banerjee

Dr. Utpal K. Banerjee's career is both varied and prolific. He has been an adviser on management and information technology for over thirty years and has an abiding interest in Indian art and culture. In 1998, he was sent by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to lecture on art and culture in South America. Earlier lectures included those given in Canada and the USA in 1990 and 1995 when he was invited by ICCR and Kalabharati Foundation of Canada. His comprehensive book, Indian Performing Arts, has gone into several editions and another, Begali Theatre: 200 Years, has been published by the Publications Division, Government of India. His most recent works include Indian Performing Arts: A Mosaic and Indian Puppets. Dr. Banerjee's formal introduction to the visual and performing arts of the world came through several courses that he attended at the Extra-Mural department, University of Manchester, UK in 1969-72. He was National Project Director for the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) for a UNDP project on 'Multimedia Database for Art and Culture Documentation and Computerisation'. His articles appear regularly in India Perspective, Indian Horizons and The Pioneer. He has contributed to countless cultural programmes on the BBC, All Indian Radio and Doordarshan.

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Bibliographic information

Title
Indian Contemporary Dance Extravaganza
Author
Edition
1st ed.
Publisher
ISBN
8182902045, 9788182902046
Length
149p., Bibliography; Index; 29cm.
Subjects