A s a Manipuri dancer who will be performing during the 20th edition of Parampara Series, a national festival of dance and music, Lokendrajit Singh feels exposure is a good thing. But not so much in the case of Manipuri folk dance culture, that with excessive exposure to popular culture, has begun to wither away. Nevertheless, Lokendrajit Singh is a crusader of preserving precious traditional values, and by regularly performing at platforms such as the Parampara stage, he reinstates the importance of such artistic mediums that will hopefully connect with several modern-day consumers. “It’s an opportunity when we can put out what we stand for, be ourselves and perform in a way that’s most meaningful to us. It’s a space of dialogue that encourages more people to develop a taste for traditional arts,” says Singh. That’s actually the only way to save them, he thinks.
Presented by Natya Tarangini-Raja Radha Reddy Centre for Performing Arts, the annual cultural collective will see D Srinivas, D Sesha Chary and D Raghava Chary playing the Veena and rendering Carnatic vocals, Hindustani flute artiste Ronu Mazumdar, Hindustani vocal artiste Kaushiki Chakraborty, Raja Radha Reddy’s Kuchipudi, and Singh’s Manipuri dance. A bit of contemporary dazzle has also been added with Samudra Group from Kerala taking the stage. “When different styles of dance and music come together, it leaves both the artistes and audiences enriched,” says Singh.
Though the artiste enjoys his role as a dancer, being a choreographer is something he feels most content with. “Because it is inclusive of both performing as well as teaching, I find it utterly satisfying,” he says, adding, “Parampara is a shows that gave me that liberty and I feel utterly validated.”
September 30 to October 2: at Kamani Auditorium, 1 Copernicus Marg, 7 pm to 9.30 pm. Free entry.