Workshops by artistes in the city have become a regular phenomenon, specially in the classical art arena. Workshops are an interesting and quick way to help people understand their ability to learn a classical art form. Even for persons conducting workshops, it is a big challenge as they have to work through a lot of limitations — time, themes, levels of students and number of students attending.
Kathak dancer Mitha Vinay says that there are various factors to arrange a workshop. “I invited Kathak Guru Nandini K Mehta ji of NADAM, Bengaluru, to help my students and other Kathak students in the city to understand the dance form better and from a renowned teacher,” says Mitha.
- Prince Rama Varma, in association with Saptaparini, conducted number of workshops in Carnatic music. His workshops are always looked forward to for the innovative methods he brings to his sessions. A believer in total involvement of the participant, Rama Varma is a much respected and recognised teacher, musicologist, writer and orator.
Hindustani vocalist Harini Rao differs. She says that a lot of people are interested in learning an art form, but do not know where to begin or if they are really cut out for it. “They explore themselves on various levels like, interest in classical music, ability to sing and testing theirlaya/swara ability,” says Harini.
Mohiniyattam dancer Anita Peter says that any workshop is based on what would make a difference in the learning and understanding of a particular topic that is chosen. “It should also instil within the participants a curiosity and desire to know more,” says Anita.
Mythili Anoop
Kathak and Mohiniyattam dancer Mythili Anoop says that the drive to learn and get specialised knowledge from experts is the basis of organising workshops. “We have our regular teachers and seniors we learn from as part of our daily routines; a workshop provides a different insight from a different person,” says Mythili.
Irfan Khan
Sitar player Irfan Khan says that his workshops are not for beginners, but for those who have been learning for over two years. “My recent one-day workshop was close to 10 hours and participants were taught finer aspects of music,” says Irfan and adds, “When I attended workshops I learnt finer aspects of playing sitar, which I had not known earlier.” According to Harini, “Workshops are a compact blast of knowledge, which is great to practice on, for at least a few months.”
Anita Peter
Anita feels that a workshop can be kept at three levels with regard to a particular topic beginning with the Level 1 which would be introduction to the topic, basic explanation and practice to experience the topic. Mythili is of the opinion that workshops are participatory by definition. “You have no choice, but to get your hands dirty, expose your experience and ignorance. It pushes you to engage with the resource person and other participants, by creating a space bracketed from the outside world meant only for learning. So, while I teach students most of the year, I try to arrange few workshops to give them exposure to experts and also to learn from the experts myself,” says Mythili honestly.
Mitha Vinay
Mitha says recently, she conducted a three-day workshop Unnathee under the expert guidance of her Guru Nandini K Mehta. “The workshop focused on four aspects — posture correction, strengthening foundation, understanding complex rhythmic patterns in Kathak and few technical compositions in Teen taal,” she says.
Harini who has organised masterclasses by stalwarts like Sriram Parasuram, says, “the guru will not be able to coach every student in that short span of time. But, a lot can be imbibed by students when they attend a workshop.”
Anita recently brought in Kalamandalam Prasob who introduced and explained different rasas in the three-hour workshop.Mythili along with Odissi dancer Raman Kumari had invited Sadanam Balakrishnan to give insights into abhinaya. “The two days were packed with theoretical insights and saadhana. Balakrishnan explained concepts relating to abhinaya drawing from the Natyashastra and illustrated them in dance. He also spoke about eye/eyebrow and other facial exercises which helps give mobility to facial features,” she says.
Sindhuja
Kuchipudi dancer and Carnatic vocalist, Sindhuja, who recently attended a workshop, says that workshops are like revision class, where you explore new avenues and then the others which totally open a new realm! “I have always attended workshops as I believe they make me realise the profundity of Indian dances and how my body can move and express. Added to that, workshops are good avenues to interact with your peer group and understand the kind of work happening around,” says the dancer.