An upcoming classical dance festival for young talent throws the platform open to five male practitioners in a genre usually dominated by women
Dipjyoti Das and Dipankar Arandhara
In a country where gender stereotypes still govern familial roles and choice of profession, being a male classical dancer is not easy. While the art form isn't considered secure enough to be pursued by the breadwinner, hurtful jibes await the brave who take it up. Professional dynamics, too, are skewed in favour of female practitioners, offering them far more opportunities than their male counterparts to showcase their talent. The Raindrops Festival of Indian Classical Dance that provides a platform to up-and-coming artistes from across India hopes to level the playing field by including five male dancers in the line-up for its 27th edition.
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"Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city, but when smaller towns produce classical male dancers, it is a bold step that needs to be encouraged. Art is art. Where is the room for any divide within it?" says kathak exponent Uma Dogra, who founded the Sam Ved Society that organises the festival.
Soumya Basu, a Bhubaneswar-based odissi dancer who will be performing at the festival, agrees. "When one applies for a slot in a festival, it is common to see female dancers, years junior to their male counterparts, getting selected over the latter," he laments.
Another first for the festival is the addition of two lesser-known classical dance forms as part of the line-up. While sattriya from Assam will be performed by the duo, Dipjyoti Das and Dipankar Arandhara, Anupama Kylash will present Andhra Pradesh's vilasini natyam.
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