Shreya Kumar - Indian Classical Dance in Delhi

Week 3 - 10 June to 16 June 2005

This week I have concentrated on interviews as profiling the artists is one of my main points of the project. On Friday the 10th I interviewed Kuchipudi exponents Vanashree and Jayarama Rao at their residence in Asiad Village complex.

On the 13th I fixed an appointment with Saraikella Chhau dancer Shashadhar Acharya at Triveni Kala Sangam. I took the interview the following day.. and guess what? I asked him questions in English and he chose to reply in Hindi so now I have to sit and translate it into English and then feed it in my computer. I haven’t been able to do that this week as 15th and 16th were both busy days.

On the 15th I interviewed renowned Mohiniyattam dancer Bharati Shivaji who is incidentally also in Asiad Village complex so lucky for me as it is close to my residence.

Meanwhile I did meet Sanjeev Bhargav who is the director of the NGO named Seher. He gave me a list of some classical dancers in Delhi and a couple of folk dancers as well. So I shall add that to my database. He also gave me some information on the dance festival ‘Ananya’ which he organizes at the Purana Quila. I have fixed a couple of appointments for next week already. I will include that in my next report.