CHENNAI: This is an annual inter, dance schools competition. The idea of this initiative is to trigger imagination of the artists, which allows the gurus and their students together, to choreograph interesting pieces of work, says Akhila Krishnamurthy, the founder of AALAP, the originator of this programme. This is what she had to say: We at AALAP are keen to bring out interesting stories that are told in a capsule and at a later stage, have the possibility of being created into full length productions.
Last year when AALAP created the first edition of its inter dance schools competition called Battle of the Anklets, it was a huge success, with the participation of more than 35 teams (solo & group) from across the corners of the city, judged by renowned dance artists. 3 topics that were given to participants were stories from the life of Kabir, Buddha and the Women in the Life of Thyagaraja and Krishna.
This year in order to raise our bar and make it a bigger event we are hosting the contest, in association with Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, with the Dance participants from Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai, to participate in the spectacular competition.
The contest is open to all styles of Indian Classical Dance and for age groups 12-22.The enlivening topics chosen this year are, a) Antagonists from Mythology b) Hasya c) Love in the now d) I am Madras. Very interesting indeed.
We are not mere ‘executors’ but are ‘curators’, that allows us the privilege of belonging in a space of idea, which gives an axis and opportunity to share and discuss with thinkers and doers.
In the last few years since AALAP’s inception we have been using the word “Curator” rather liberally. We are sure we have done justice to that word. She cordially says both in the context of magazine and events; intimate and mass. The creative outpourings of the artists and the artistic Endeavour in format and content inspire us constantly to raise our own bar.
Personally, all that we contemplate enable us to feel a sense of creative high a sense of fulfillment that comes with the formation of an Idea and going through the rigor of realizing it in a form that is tangible. It is a spirit we would really like to imbibe & celebrate with determination and doggedness.
Ultimately as curators, we provide the Crucible, the space for exhibiting the Talents…. And add the element of audience. We become the ‘catalyst’ to bring them together, she concludes that the presentation would culminate, leading to exhibition of various art forms, absorbing the essence in all its myriad forms.
Their annual inter school Dance contest is scheduled on June 28 at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai 17. They are making a clarion call to students of Dance school to participate, who will be given a CASH prize, Rolling Trophy & a certificate. We certainly congratulate AALAP, as this initiative certainly triggers imagination of artists, together to choreograph interesting pieces of work.