It is not without good reason that as early as December 1896, Swami Vivekananda had said in his irreplaceable manner that "Music is the highest art; to those who understand, it is the highest worship". The beauty of rhyme and depth really are two elementary strengths of  Bharatanatyam, a popular classical Indian dance form in the state of Tamil Nadu. The quotation of Vivekananda, therefore, does really come alive!

The admirers of Bharatnaytam without exception rightly make a case of it as a fantastic blend of philosophy and mythology with music and movement. Lately, learning Bharatnaytam or pursuing this traditional dance is fast re-emerging as a new trend among the youth cutting across regional and religious barriers, especially in the Lutyen's City, New Delhi.  

So much of it that even younger generation from countries like Ukraine " which do not have a strong history of being India-centric - and from other religions than Hindus are latching on to it. Therefore, when a catholic teenaged girl Taisha Antony put up her performance on completion of graduation programme in Bharatnatyam, not many were surprised.  
The high moment of the evening in the auditorium of the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in New Delhi was perhaps the juxtaposition of two frames, one that of Goddess Saraswati and the other of Jesus Christ.  

"It was a rare sight to see a Christian girl seeking at the same time the blessings of Goddess Saraswati  and Jesus Christ before commencing her maiden performance on the stage," says one of her admirers.If this was a performance of class 11 student, at another art venue in the national capital, Triveni Kala Sangam hardly 10-year-old Ananya from enthralled the audience at a unique stage performance of "Arangetram".

Among others, Prathiba Prahlad, noted Bharatnatyam dancer, was all praise for her. With her avid and creative interest in music and dance, Ananya has been receiving rigorous training in Bharatnatyam for last 5 years under her guru, Shanta Krishnamurthi.

That way, she had started learning the difficult art form at a mere age of 5 plus. "It was her first stage performance, but the body movement and rhythm reflected much maturity, which gives me an utter satisfaction," remarked her Guru.  

Similarly, the performance of Priya, a student of 12th standard from city's famous Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan left among others, Chairperson of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti Ms Tara Gandhi Bhattacharya and other dignitaries too spell bound. During the occasion, she performed Ganesha Stuti, Alarippu, Jathiswaram and Misrachapu among others, leaving the audience enthralled.

Actually, many say gradually New Delhi is graduating into an art capital shedding its past trapping of a city of babus and red-light car wallah netas. According to citizens, many things are responsible for this. One vital factor, denizens say is that the city is fast becoming more and more cosmopolitan with scores of south Indians, Bengalis, Oriyas and Assamese settling down over the years.

"In East Delhi, Mayur Vihar area looks like a mini hub of South Indians and Bengalis. With a large section of city becoming such a pocket, it is natural that these communities would like to crave for their cultural and intellectual pursuits," says R Suryamurthy, a resident for last 30 years. Earlier these were missed but now there are ample opportunities for younger ones to try out these traditional art and parents are also encouraging, he says.

Agrees, Jewel Sengupta, a Bengali trader adding, "unlike the past, these days parents agree to shell out big money to ensure that children learn something Indian and traditional". It is these factors, he analyzes that dance schools are opening up in every corner in the city. Obviously the craze is more for the country's most popular dance form, the Bharatnatyam. However, other forms like Kathak are also soon catching up. However, having said these, many skeptics are also complaining these days that the classical dance arena is getting afflicted with commercial considerations.

Often huge expenses are shying away middle class parents as organizing a performance would entail an individual a whopping expenditure of about `3-4 lakh.
"There's a dangerous Delhi-style luring people with high tea and dinner after the performance. The true merit goes for a toss," said one guardian and a government servant.
Several others endorse with many of them saying unlike the past genuine patrons of the performing arts is minimum. Moreover, a refrain is that, Delhiites are good at showmanship; hence many parents force younger children to these dancing schools just to claim some kind of social appreciation. "It's akin to forcing children to study science 15 years back or putting them in Management schools," says one parent only helplessly lamenting.  

But, nevertheless the graceful gestures and captivating movements wonderfully capturing the beauty and aesthetics woven around the popular stories surrounding Goddess Durga, Goddess Saraswati and other mythological characters abounding the Hindu scriptures make Bharatnatyam unique. Thus, the beeline to learn this dance form for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculpturesque poses would continue.  

In the meantime, the Gurus of this art make it a point to underline in no uncertain term that there are no short cuts to glories, especially in these performing arts. An "artiste" or a danseuse in true sense of the term can emerges only when his or her performance touches the heart. And that cannot be bought by pots full of money!

Swati Deb