Reviving eternal values

East Delhi-based dancer Arindam Dasgupta recently directed a ballet named Dhalti Dhoop on the occasion of Akbar House Function at Modern School, Barakhamba.
“An artist has a certain social responsibility and I realised that obligation. Through my solo compositions, I try to portray human issues and its complexity of beauty and chaos. I have chosen this particular composition as it is the easiest way to reach the masses,� says the dancer.
The story depicted an old age home, where an old lady recalls her past and how she overcame the hurdles in her life as a single parent.
The audience was left to answer the question - ‘Is this the end?’ The audience, which consisted both old and young, remained engrossed in the play. But the answers finally came from the kids and the younger generation.
“Genuine emotional involvement in a drama or a dance performance helps to deliver an arresting performance,� opins Dasgupta.
So how closely did he identify himself with the characters he directed?
“Very rarely am I not able to identify with my characters. This is also important because unless and until you involve yourself, you cannot make the actors communicate with the audience. Be it a dance recital or a drama, communication is one of the most important aspects in a performance. It is also vital to the director and the actor. I expect the actors to make use of their voice, speech, facial and body movements skilfully. It is only then that acting can make the play come alive,� he explains.
Having mastered the presentation of these relevant themes, Dasgupta has enriched the repertoire of Kathak by composing new dance sequences and full-length dance-dramas. His dance creations as well as dramas are greatly admired for powerful thematic content and artistic presentation.
On the whole, Dhalti Dhoop was a new dimension because of its highly emotive thrust. Dasgupta’s enlightening dance drama in sound, light and action was based on India’s rich heritage, depicting the lives of old people. Perhaps they aim at reviving the eternal values that lead to harmony and a strong sense of bond.