Govt should promote Indian classical dance

Kathak exponent Pandit Shyamal Maharaj and Nrityashree Gitali Basu Aich today sought state patronage to promote Indian classical dance and popularise them among the young generation.
It was urgent for the government to immediately step in to preserve and promote Indian classical dance, especially 'Kathak' and 'Odissi', Gitali, accompanied by Shyamal Maharaj, told reporters here.
"'Bharat Natyam' continues to attract the audience because of institutional support and state government initiatives in southern states," Gitali said.
She regretted that West Bengal, which has large followers of classical dance and music, had stopped organizing popular dance festivals for the past ten years.

Asked about the reality shows and dance competitions in TV channels, Shyamal said those were mostly exhibitions of acrobat and gymnastic skills rather than dance.
Shyamal, who had performed across the world, said he had also produced a reality show based on classical dance and music in a regional TV channel in West Bengal and the response was good.
Asked whether he had any plan to produce such a show at the national level, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner said he would accept offer only when he was convinced that it would serve the purpose to showcase the classical dance and music.

Both the artistes were in the steel city to participate in the 'Jamshedpur Carnival' organized by the Tatas.