ISSN: 2578-4986
Authors: Suresh PV* and Venkatesh S
Traditionally, Indian dance forms were taught through the Guru-Shishya system, where the student stays at the abode of the Guru to develop a strong foundation in the field. This enabled the Guru to nurture the disciple and prepare them to become experts in the vocation alongside all the important values that go with any system of knowledge in ancient Indian tradition. The unique features of Gurukul were deep love, respect and mutual communion. There are significant changes in the current world, where digitization is an unavoidable trend. An objective of this paper is to identify the aspects that are ‘modified’ and sometimes, lost in the process of digitizing Indian Classical dance. It would not be of any help to fight natural evolution and dismiss growth but care has to be taken, not to cut asunder the very purpose of the creation of an art which is to restore righteousness in the world through an aesthetic medium. The spiritual role that it plays in the world, needless to add, is indeed as an agent to kindle peace and friendship between people, beyond all barriers. It would be helpful if the potential attributes that are in threat of getting submerged through digitization, are identified by researchers and artists. For example, during dance training, the pure dance technique and structure can become translated to a satisfying extent as the basic emotional stance is that of vigour. On the other hand, the intense involvement in the expressional mode, the devotional ascent and the one to one transmission during actual presence of teacher and taught in close proximity, seems amiss
Keywords: Classical Dance; Philosophy; Expressional Mode; Moksha; Tantra
