Comments on: Heshma Wignaraja: Thoughts on dance and choreography

By: anbu

anbu — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:32:57 +0000

Great Interview and hats of to SAnjana for asking difficult questions
EG:_ IS this some sort of family business? This question attempts to answer why there has not been any growth or sustanability in the Chitrasena school. Heshmas answer was right too ….saying it is difficult to find commited dancers but that is only paart of the problem.
The long terrm survival of Kalakshetra, Shantiniketan etc in India is precisely because the revival was not ‘owned’ by a family dynansty.

Further more I am baffled by Heshma looking down at ‘fusion’-
The chitrasena style itself is a fusion of Kandyan dancing, low country dancing, Kathakali and Shantiniketan. It was a form of creative dancing ‘invented’ a response to colonialism and subsequent independence and the project of pan South ASian identity/solidarity informed by Sri Lnkan dance identities
But I do agree that one needs to rooted in a style ( as Hshma says) to reject it or fuse it with other traditions

By: Mel

Mel — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 05:33:37 +0000

She chooses her words very carefully and gives the feeling that we are intruding into her private space. I am wondering, what the critics would say, when she jazzes up the shows to reach a younger audience? Enjoyed the interview.

By: Salsa Classes Toronto

Salsa Classes Toronto — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 22:38:32 +0000

In reply to magerata. I have a lot of respect for her trying to have her grandfather live through her. And also it is not easy for a woman in her country to be taking on a role that is primarily male dominated and dancing is no different.

By: magerata

magerata — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:57:42 +0000

Thank you.