Contemporary dance to lure Odisha's youth

Is contemporary dance eating into the youth’s interest in Odissi? TOI checks out the steps...
The craze for contemporary dance is growing by the day. More and more festivals are being organized and the increasing number of reality shows is only adding to the popularity of this dance form. Some have even gone on to claim that the rise in interest for this art form is also eating into the popularity of Odissi what with not too many youngsters attending classical dance festivals any more.So, what exactly is it that drives the youth to this form of art?
Dance reality show contestants from Odisha, who have made it big on national television, come forward with a plethora of reasons to analyze this growing demand. Says Mandakini Jena, who participated in “Boogie Woogie” (2008), “Dance India Dance” (2009) and “Chak Dhum Dhum” (2010) and now runs a Western dance institute in the city, “Modern and Western dance styles always keep changing whereas classical dance forms are, to some extent, quite static in nature.”
People love changes and that’s what adds to the appeal of contemporary dance. “The dress code in modern dance forms is very glamorous. That attracts the youth,” says Jena. Some feel that engaging in contemporary dance is an easy route to fame. “But that’s so wrong. The steps are easier than most classical movements. A professional dancer always takes the art form seriously, irrespective of whether it is Odissi or Western. But there are many youngsters who learn modern dance so that they can attract attention at parties and clubs. Classical dance has no takers at parties,” Jena adds.
Another contemporary dancer, Pravat Kumar Rana, attributes this interest to the growing craze of this dance form at the reality shows that are mushrooming in various private channels. “Odissi is our root and each dancer must learn this dance form. I too am an Odissi dancer. Even if I match steps to modern moves, I never forget to present Odissi in the beginning. Learning salsa, hip hop or belly dances is good because we shouldn’t be confined to one particular dance form,” adds Rana, who was among the top eight contestants of “Dance India Dance” (Season 1) and was the runners-up at “Chak Dhum Dhum” in 2011. Rana is now training Western dance forms to quite a few students of the city.
When asked if the craze for contemporary styles has created any dent in the interest in classical dance, Rajasmita Kar, winner of “Dance India Dance” (Season 3), says, “I don’t think that’s possible. Classical dance forms have their own space. Even on dance reality shows, classical moves are being presented in a different fashion.” Both these dance forms have their unique spaces, says Kar. “But today’s youth is getting more inclined to Western dance because they watch it more on TV. Everyone wants to watch and learn new steps,” says Kar, who is now rehearsing for the “DID Little Masters” in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, T Krishnamohan Reddy, founder-cum-chief artiste of Prince Dance Group, adds that it is glamour that lures youngsters towards such dance forms. “People love contemporary dance performances since they look more glamorous on television. Besides, Odissi dance is not understood by all. Youngsters are also keen to learn different new steps without being confined to a particular dance style. Though contemporary dance styles are no threat to classical forms, I agree that classical dance styles are losing their charm in comparison to the craze they had earlier. However, the good news is that Odissi is more popular outside Odisha. People abroad are showing an increasing interest in Odissi.”
Suffice to say that it’s all about youngsters deciding the right step forward.