“Lockdown is a Time to Connect with the Artiste in You”

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An opinion article by DEVIKA SAJEEVAN

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Who better to talk about what young artistes can and should do during the ongoing lockdown, than a young artiste with a string of remarkable achievements!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”11213″ img_size=”375×500″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Devika Sajeevan is a young achiever in the Bharatanatyam dance form, hailing from Kerala in South Indian. She has been learning Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of esteemed gurus Smt. Leelamani Ramachandran and Smt. Priya Ranjit since the age of three. She has performed on various prestigious platforms like the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Nishagandhi Dance Festival, TEDx, Japan-South Asian Cultural Exchange Programme to name a few, and also represented India in global events. She has received coveted state and national level titles such as Nritha Prathibha, Jeevan Kalatilakam Award and Susheel Keerthi Award, on several occasions. She also attempts choreography and recently presented her first solo production. She is an Engineering Physics student from the National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1589257966016{padding-top: 5% !important;}”][vc_column]

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1474291084926{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The situation gives you an opportunity to:

• Travel to your inner self, ponder over your journey with your art form – what is its purpose according to you, what do you want to convey through it, how would you give yourself and your audience a true experience
• Spend more time on riyaz and try to make it more interesting. Try different variations of Adavus and movements, rhythmic sequences and eye exercises, among others. Work on themes that you haven’t explored before
• Revisit the old pieces that you’ve done. Even small nuances left unnoticed earlier, might have a whole new dimension now
• Make a critical analysis of your previous performances, know your strengths and weaknesses and find ways to rectify the flaws
• Learn from attending webinars, online workshops and performances by great gurus and artistes. It will definitely help us understand different facets and also inspire us to move forward
• Think about how you can slowly develop your own style of expressing ideas, keeping in mind the syntax of your art form

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During the lockdown, Devika has produced several artistic creations, such as: In the Lap of Nature, Monsoon,Talks and online performances.

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[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1597377535432{padding-top: 10px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1597377738756{padding-top: 10px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1597403897120{padding-top: 10px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Time to Improve Fitness Levels

The lockdown period also gives budding dancers an opportunity to improve their fitness levels and health in general. Fitness and physical endurance are critical requirements for an artiste.

A dancer’s body is like an instrument. One has to take good care of it, for it to be harmonious. Indulging in strength-building and stretching exercises; yoga; and martial arts like Kalaripayattu can be of great help in this matter. During this time, I would suggest trying out those exercises which can be done even in limited space. It’s advisable to seek the help of an instructor, if you’re new to this. Also, if you’re targeting to improve any particular aspect as for example, Araimandi (basic posture in dance) or maybe flexibility or anything else, then you can choose your exercises accordingly. Listen to your body, understand what it needs and also, have a healthy diet.

Leveraging Social Media

Social media offers multifarious opportunities for upcoming artistes. We can get our works reviewed by a wider range of art lovers, and which will help us improve our skills. There might be a lot of talented people who do not have access to come forward. Social media gives them an ideal platform. Artistes can form peer groups, exchange thoughts and ideas and support each other to grow as artistes. Social media provide an effective tool to bring about a positive transformation in the field of arts.

Online Event Participation

Online events provide a welcome relief for the art enthusiasts during the pandemic situation. However, this require our sincere efforts on the performance, aesthetic as well as technical sides.

I would suggest presenting a combination of Nritha and Abhinaya-oriented pieces or performances which differ in context and emotions. This would create a better experience for the audience in the limited time stipulated. Try to arrange a neat space with ambient lighting using the resources available with you. However, artistes might have their own limitations while coming to this matter and so, it would be good if the spectators can concentrate on the performance rather than the external factors.

How Other Skills and Passions Help

Young artistes should also give more time for other skills, hobbies and passions in life. I believe every art stems from a feeling. So, we have to be able to observe and embrace the beauty of everything around us. It’s good to listen to different genres of music and experience how your body responds to it.

Nature, literature, sculptures, paintings or even the people we meet might have something to contribute to our perceptions and imaginations. In a sense, art is a reflection of who we are within. And that’s why even the same character or the same piece presented by different performers stays unique. In general, anything that inspires us, shapes our thoughts is definitely a step towards being a better artiste and a better human being too.

Managing Time for Academics and Arts

I believe students of schools, college or higher studies, can manage their time efficiently for both academics and performing arts. As we say, there’s always enough time for all that we love.
So, there’s no need to compromise on your passion. Practicing arts inculcates certain values in us, which help us in other learning processes as well. Similarly, knowledge in other subjects can improve our logical thinking and concepts.

It isn’t that difficult to carry academic and arts together if we plan our day and utilize time effectively. Sometimes, it might be a hectic day at college or school and you feel too weak to do physical practice. But you can use your leisure time to visualize your work, do the practice in your mind, and then physically practice for extra hours the next day.
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You may directly connect with Devika Sajeevan on YouTube, Instagram or Facebook or reach her at devikasajeevan@gmail.com

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