A development initiative for South Asian Dance in the North West

Uday Shankar

The pioneer of Indian creative dancing. I had my training in dance in his school an had the good fortune to get to know him. I feel humble to think that he liked the way I danced.

Although I did not meet him in person during my visit to Canada but seeing the memorabilia at Vincent Warren's collection it felt just like meeting him.

People know about him,his dances and his worldwide fame but not much about his style or legacy.

In my opinion "creative dance " is an approach rather than a technique. There are classic motifs bearing his signature but not a complete list of codified instructions for the movements of isolated body parts. To make dances using only his own movements will defy the very notion of creativity. In the school one learnt classical dances to train the body to move in different ways and to learn the aesthetics of India dance instilled in them. In the creative dance sessions,which were known as general class, the students were encouraged to think for themselves,to create new steps,movement motifs,new ways of interpretation and responding to the music.

He created new work which were not only about ancient mythology or gods and goddesses. This encourages his students to think of new materials to dance.

In Vincent Warren's library I found a part of an old program note where he refers to this departure.

" For the artist the whole universe is a source of unending inspiration. The truth hidden in the depths of the heart finds expression through our efforts in dance,music and poetry. Today I feel I should give more to the public ;there is so much for the artist to give,so much for him to take from the people. I fervently believe that we can come closer and unite through art,for does it not bring out the subtle bond that deep down unites us ? No living artist can help being swayed by the rising forces of the age.The ancient class art.,with all its sophistry,its refinement and its ideology is there ; but there is aso and more evident today than ever,the life of the masses,with its vigour,vitality,simplicity and the generative progressive spirit I into some aspects of which I have striven to the best of my ability to give you a glimpses. "

His creative energy found its best expression in making dance and performing. During one of his early tours he made the statement
"I will go on dancing till I am eighty and until the public hoots me off the stage".

I was blessed to have seen when he was 80. He still had the same aura of some one descending from another world."

Side by side I also hear what Jay Govinda said "You should leave dance before dance leaves you."

Both comments touched me deeply. Swaying between the two I continue my search for my "late style".