Culture

The techniques of art and dance in the world of performing arts is probably the most cherished and celebrated. Their reputation precedes them- the sheer bliss one experiences by even hearing the word ‘dance’, witnessing and performing it is unmatched. The beauty of both fine arts and dance lies in their versatile nature - the ability to modify and adapt to changes in the surroundings. This quality was demonstrated no better than in the pandemic- no matter how low a point they hit initially, dance forms managed to encompass the situation with its own grace. Similarly, strokes of a brush on papers give vent to the overwhelming emotions that were experienced during the pandemic. In this interview with Dr. Himanshu Srivastava, established Bharatnatyam dancer, research scholar and painting artist, we engage in a conversation where we discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the world of dance and vice-versa. To know more about the impact of the pandemic on the classical dancers and the dance industry, please watch interview with Dr. Himanshu Srivastava, here- We, at Itisaras, believe that awareness and action are integral for change, and for the same we have launched a petition on change.org that urges the Ministry of Culture to extend institutional support to the people of the Performance Arts sector. Please join us and sign the petition -http://chng.it/zhFTnGdPMm Interviewed by- Kunal Chauhan Transcribed by- Manavi Badoni Video Editing by- Nisarg Avashia Text Edited by- Debanjan Das

Intangible cultural heritage in India is best manifested through its performance industry which not only plays a role in catalysing tourism but also generates revenue, employment, etc., for a large chunk of the population. The pandemic has brought this sector comprising folk music and dance troupes, theatre, etc., to its knees. This article is an overview of the ways in which some state governments and civil society, as a community, have stepped up to redress these issues by extending support in various forms to help performing arts survive this tough trough. I focus on ways how multiple platforms like social media, online sessions, crowdfunding initiated at personal and institutional levels and by pooling material have been sufficiently employed. I have, through the article, highlighted how these platforms have sufficiently saved several families from ruining and that it's the societal values that ultimately holds our culture together.

Anusuya Vaidya, Director at Akshara Theatre, in an interview with the team of ITISARAS. Steeped into the performing arts industry at an early age, Anusuya represents a life long commitment to the field. The interview started with the acknowledgement of the role performing arts have played during the pandemic and the hope that people have now realised their importance. On the other hand, for the artists themselves, the pandemic has been a ‘make it or break it’ situation with immense difficulties and challenges. Discussing the idea behind ‘Akshara Theatre: a home for the mind of India’ Anusuya took us on the journey of its establishment in1972. She took us through the Ramayana performances all over the world, thus working with the lighting and sound team in her early teens which was the start of her career. From places like Kolam, in Tamil Nadu, Deolali, in Maharashtra, to world-renowned universities of the United States of America, Anusuya has experienced it all. To know more about how the pandemic has impacted the performing arts sector, especially theatre, please watch our interview with Anusuya Vaidya: https://youtu.be/EAEqxeyvCf8 We, at Itisaras, believe that awareness and action are integral for change, and for the same we have launched a petition on change.org that urges the Ministry of Culture to extend institutional support to the people of the Performance Arts sector. Please join us and sign the petition - http://chng.it/zhFTnGdPMm Interview taken by Kunal Chauhan Written by Khyati Srivastava Video edited by Anmol Bains Content edited by Nishtha Dhani

Vasundhara Vee, a popular name in the Western music circles of our country was interviewed by Vrnda Dhar, an editor of Dhaara Magazine on the impact of the pandemic on the music industry in general and the independent music industry in particular. She discussed the dynamics of influence in the music industry, the usefulness of building contacts over followers, how the artists stood with each other during these difficult times, among other things. To know more about the impact of the pandemic on the independent music industry, please watch Vrnda’s interview with Vasundhara Vee, here- https://youtu.be/hSmg7rpFFfM We, at Itisaras, believe that awareness and action are integral for change, and for the same we have launched a petition on change.org that urges the Ministry of Culture to extend institutional support to the people of the Performance Arts sector. Please join us and sign the petition - http://chng.it/zhFTnGdPMm Interview by Vrnda Dhar Transcribed by Meghashree Dev Video editing by Nisarg Avashia Content editing by Debanjan Das

‘The Aahvaan Project’ is a folk music and story-telling collective that found its genesis in 2015. It is founded on the philosophy of love, empathy, and humanity and intends. It involves discovering and researching folk tradition extensively through travelling majorly in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan- its villages, towns, and cities. The aspect of ‘The Aahvaan Project’ that one takes home with them is the simplicity yet the beauty, sheer compassion, and impact that each performance emanates. To know more about how the pandemic has impacted the performing arts sector, especially folk artists please watch our interview with Vedi Sinha: https://youtu.be/lIhbmaFlESY We, at Itisaras, believe that awareness and action are integral for change, and for the same we have launched a petition on change.org that urges the Ministry of Culture to extend institutional support to the people of the Performance Arts sector. Please join us and sign the petition - http://chng.it/zhFTnGdPMm Interview taken by Kunal Chauhan Written by Smriti Raj Video edited by Anmol Bains Content edited by Pavitra Mishra

Puppet theatre is one of the oldest surviving art forms of the subcontinent. Anurupa explains through the examples of Yakshagana puppeteers in Karnataka and those in Bengal performing the local folk, Jatra, with puppets; that the concept in the east of the world (especially South & southeast Asia) was of an all in one complete performer who performed all the roles like that of a dancer, musician, puppeteer, a storyteller. It was only a recent phenomenon that artists started identifying themselves with a singular part of the performance. To know more about how the pandemic has impacted the performing arts sector, especially puppet theatre please watch our interview with Anurupa Roy: https://youtu.be/xmaoues0rOE We, at Itisaras, believe that awareness and action are integral for change, and for the same we have launched a petition on change.org that urges the Ministry of Culture to extend institutional support to the people of the Performance Arts sector. Please join us and sign the petition - http://chng.it/zhFTnGdPMm Interview taken by Kunal Chauhan Written by Arushi Kapoor Video edited by Anmol Bains Content edited by Pavitra Mishra

In this interview with Kunal Chauhan, classical dancer and the founder of the Sarvam Foundation, Nehha Bhatnagar discuss various issues related to the impact of the pandemic on performing artists, especially classical dancers, the initiative and role of the government in dealing with it, how the pandemic has affected the workings of her foundation and she also talks about a post-pandemic world. To know more about the effect of the pandemic on professional classical dancing, and also about the field in general, watch Nehha Bhatnagar’s full interview here- https://youtu.be/OR_aGZRimoM We, at Itisaras, believe that awareness and action are integral for change, and for the same we have launched a petition on change.org that urges the Ministry of Culture to extend institutional support to the people of the Performance Arts sector. Please join us and sign the petition - http://chng.it/zhFTnGdPMm

The pandemic seems to be an all-destroying storm that is leaving no industry untouched. However, according to Director and Playwright Neel Chaudhuri, theatre is one of the most resilient art forms. It has been challenged by other modes of expression and entertainment. Since its very inception, theatre had been challenged by many of its contemporaries like television, cinema, multiplex culture and now online streaming platforms like Netflix, Hotstar and Amazon Prime. But theatre has survived it all because of its unique immersive experience. To know more about how the pandemic has impacted the theatre industry, please watch our interview with Director and Playwright Neel Chaudhary. Full interview available on Youtube - https://youtu.be/cdXxWE9CV8Y We, at Itisaras, believe that awareness and action are integral for change, and for the same we have launched a petition on change.org that urges the Ministry of Culture to extend institutional support to the people of the Performance Arts sector. Please join us and sign the petition - http://chng.it/zhFTnGdPMm Interview conducted by Kunal Chauhan Written by Satya Sharma Video edited by Anmol Bains Content edited by Pavitra Mishra

The pandemic has infiltrated every nook and cranny of our lives and has thwacked our morales which have hit new lows with each passing day. For the people involved in the Performing Arts industry, something as highly emotive and interactive as their preferred form of art has been adversely impacted. The pandemic has not been kind to them. In this interview with Abhay Sharma, a renowned saxophone player, elaborates on how the pandemic has struck the music industry in particular. We, at Itisaras, believe that awareness and action are integral for change, and for the same we have launched a petition on change.org that urges the Ministry of Culture to extend institutional support to the people of the Performance Arts sector. Please join us and sign the petition - http://chng.it/zhFTnGdPMm Interview taken by Kunal Chauhan Written by Manavi Badoni Video edited by Nisarg Avashia Content edited by Nishtha Dani