A change is seen in all facets of life. The sector of Natya has not been spared of those influences, that are inflicting ripples at the price of sustenance and credibility. Is digital humanity a actuality to face? Digital media is an asset that we’ve got earned by way of technological strides world over. If not for this, it could have been unimaginable to remain linked in conditions just like the lockdown we face as we speak. However how are we going to utilise this sooner or later is the query. Is it going to boost our supremacy within the area of conventional arts, or is it simply going to be a scaffolding over a heritage monument? Are artistes deploying it now to achieve an expert edge or will they find yourself operating a perpetual race on this new play area?
Dance is common to many cultures. It has provided contributions to even neuroscience by offering pathways to check the mind’s plasticity. Moreover, there have been research that consider the therapeutic results of dance and motion within the mind. There are important adjustments within the present world, the place digitisation is an unavoidable development.
The standard methodology of studying related books printed on paper has reworked into digital texts by way of numerous net portals. On a constructive observe, digitisation has led to the potential for borrowing literature from numerous domains and facilitating interdisciplinary analysis.
Artistes have been incorporating scientific developments for a very long time. Nonetheless, this presumably creates ‘dents’ within the enterprise, which aren’t all the time recognized. Dance motion is a fluid in addition to a fancy phenomenon, that may require refined sensors to digitise it.
A scientific principle comes into relevance and significance solely when practised with out treading on toes. Self-discipline is an indispensable attribute, when it comes to indoctrination and instruction, system and order, coaching and management, guidelines and codes.
Video recordings in social media and big on-line programs have allowed many fanatics to be taught by watching. Nonetheless, we have to ask — how a lot of the essence could be captured by way of watching a video?
Oral switch
In a case examine overseas, researchers explored using kinetic sensors to check the movement of the performer’s physique and made a presentation utilizing 3D gaming expertise and multi-sensors for dance studying. It was a contribution in direction of utilizing digital environments as studying techniques. A number of such sensors had been positioned throughout the performer’s physique to check their motion. Nonetheless, the core drawback lies in the truth that majority of this analysis is performed in Western dance whereas our mannequin nonetheless depends a fantastic deal on oral transference and inventive instinct.
Indian dance is dominated by rhythm — facets reminiscent of Nritta, accompanied by Abhinaya, which requires years of experience in refined facial expressions. Throughout dance coaching, pure approach and construction can get communicated as the fundamental emotional stance is that of vigour. However, the extreme involvement of expressions, the devotional quotient, and the one-to-one transmission with the trainer and the taught in shut proximity is difficult to exchange or simulate. It takes years of onerous work, dedication and examine to grasp the nuances and obtain the guru’s nod and the spectator’s acceptance. Nearly a whole lifetime is spent to make that full circle from scholar to varied phases of progress.
Through the years, we’ve got in a approach, compromised on the variety of dance objects when our ritualistic classical dances moved from temple to proscenium. Once more we adopted adjustments in displays — from a lot of accompanying musicians to fewer, adopted later by absence of reside music, usually changed with recorded music. The ensemble, artistes and spectators collectively are believed to all the time enliven the whole house. In the present day, the dance area has reached a stage the place, there is no such thing as a direct involvement of communicative spectators, who as ‘Sahrudayas’, contribute by their consideration and appreciation, which in flip raises the performer’s sense of fulfilment.
Stalwarts and sensitised audiences have typically develop into scarce. Mediocrity seems to suffice to achieve visibility, once more from the typical spectator. Discerning audiences type the cornerstone of this artwork however digital platforms must consider audiences of all classes. For a honest Prekshaka, who views the efficiency on a gadget, it’s akin to consuming a conventional Indian candy with a fork! The RASA can by no means be tasted on this style. Even the reside broadcast of a programme, whereas it’s taking place on stage is healthier in spontaneity, than when it’s consciously practised for a digital camera shoot. An natural product may very well be at battle with animated projection of expertise and experience, not all the time well-assessed.
Time to learn and introspect
Educating primarily by way of cyber house is a half-hearted resolution to deal with the continued drawback. The idea has been prevalent for years now. One of the simplest ways to utilise a interval like this is able to be to learn up on principle, hone the abilities and introspect. Insecurity needn’t dictate our selections because it outcomes solely in noise. There may very well be higher steadiness after resting and re-evaluation of life.
The way in which ahead if crucial, can be to make use of digital humanities in mapping the actions of maestros to ponder and be taught classes from. The distinctive options of the guru-sishya Parampara are deep love, respect and mutual communion. There’s alternate of information — not solely relating to dance however associated topics and life itself. What is required is a path-breaking language which can strike a steadiness — protect conventional roots and tradition and use the digital platform to cross them on to enquiring minds. On this approach, practice-based analysis can domesticate a fluid alternate between Sastra and Prayoga — principle and follow. In order that the core attributes aren’t not left behind.
As a result of Natya guarantees life for a person and a civilised society. And Natya Sastra was given to foster ‘righteousness,’ not simply leisure.
