Steps of his Life

Haleem Khan, the Kuchipudi exponent, who has staged more than 800 solo and group performances in India and abroad, shares his learnings through the dance routine

HYDERABAD: I had been quite occupied with my dance-related work – performances including ballets, choreographing, teaching dance, conducting workshops and so on. About four years ago I started thinking of starting a new initiative besides the regular work.

One of my ideas was to videograph my own dance songs, to showcase my talent. Such projects have been done before and at a much higher level. What was hovering over my mind and came to the foreground was the idea of producing an instructional DVD for learning Kuchipudi dance and the journey started.  

The idea of producing this DVD was very important, as this DVD would be my milestone in the Kuchipudi dance. The idea was to firmly establish an alternative medium of a credible channel of propagation of Kuchipudi dance.

On this journey what was also very important was getting the right sponsors. This was a vast experience for me, as one the way one meets all kinds. Some were disinterested, some were not convinced enough and some even misled with wrong promises even to the extent of cheating financially.

With much effort and heart breaks, things fell in place and most importantly in finding motivated and credible sponsors. From then the actual work started for this production. So these past few years my mind space was almost completely occupied with this project. Whatever I did and saw, I tried to see how it would fit into this project. I started networking and putting in all the pieces required, including interviews with dance maestros,  video shots, sound bytes etc. This focused hard work culminated in the production of this DVD.

Even then there were critics in the dance fraternity who tried to discourage. Perhaps their mindset was too set, where they thought this medium of learning would be too drastic. But with my own beliefs and encouragement from my gurus and mentors, I firmly believed this would be an important medium of propagation.

The DVD was launched officially with much success. Hon Minister Sri T Harish Rao (MP) was very kind to be the chief guest for this function. Along with him on the dias were many luminaries of the Kuchipudi dance.

There has since then been a tremendous response. Demands and interest in this DVD have been pouring in from around the globe. This has further increased my conviction, that this DVD is indeed a very important medium towards preserving and propagating Kuchipudi dance.     

I have always felt that perhaps not enough was done in preserving such ancient art forms.  Many parents have not encouraged their children in taking up dance as a serious subject, as they do not see enough opportunities here for their children, as traditionally dance may not be a sustainable profession and a livelihood.

(As told to Swati Sharma Readers can send in enriching life experiences to swati@newindianexpress.)com )

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