Taking tradition forward

‘Sopan’, a six-day-long festival organised by the Sahitya Kala Parishad and Delhi Government’s Art, Culture and Language Department, is presently underway at Central Park, Rajiv Chowk.

The festival’s main focus is on young musicians and dancers who are taking forward traditional Indian art forms such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi and Indian classical music. This year, 24 recipients of the Sahitya Kala Parishad scholarship are performing at the platform.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia shares his views on the Sopan festival and says, “It is a matter of pride and celebration when today’s young talents come together and invest their time and energy to promote our traditional Indian art forms. We are proud of these young upcoming stars and are glad that Sahitya Kala Parishad is setting platforms like Sopan to provide them with an audience base.”

Ankita   Kaushik, one of the participating dancers, has picked Bharatnatyam as a medium of communication to not only promote the rich Indian dance form but also to send across social messages and spread awareness. She says, “Bharatnatyam gives me joy and happiness and the entire process of learning, teaching and performing has been beautiful. I have come all the way from Dubai to perform at this prestigious stage.”

Speaking of Indian art forms in general, Ankita elaborates, “Honestly, very few practise what was practised 2,000 years ago, when it all began. People are experimenting and making something of their own, which is commendable, but I believe we shouldn't digress from the originality and actuality of the art form. Moving ahead in terms of new ideas and creating something that hasn't been created so far, but at the same time being grounded to the style/techniques, is what I see 20 years down the line.”

Raghavendra Prasad, who has been learning the violin since the age of six, is excited for Sopan since the programme is targeted at the youth. It is a fun challenge for him to bind the audience through his performance.

Prasad continues, “The (performing arts) scenario is seeing a favourable change with many youngsters confidently taking it up professionally and many organisations readily promoting it. But the way the art is enjoyed is also changing, with a shift from concert halls to digital platforms and fusion music/bands, along with enhanced sound technology.”

— The festival is on  going till December 18