MYSORE: Of late, learning dance online is catching up fast and Skype has become an effective tool that binds dance enthusiasts across the globe.
Skype, a software program that uses the internet to make telephone and video calls was used hitherto for offshore communication mainly by parents residing in India with their wards studying abroad.
The video conferencing has now caught the fancy of classical dance and music lovers. Throughout the globe, dance students are learning through Skype and the demand for such tutors is on the rise.
It is mostly foreigners who opt for this option as they can save a fortune on expensive air fares and accommodation while avoiding the hassles of visa and travel.
The advantage of Skype is that students can record the entire class and learn the steps in their leisure time. Many performing art centres in the city are teaching students across the globe and they say the response from foreign students is good.
Quite a few have learnt classical dance through Skype and many foreigners are showing interest in it. The Students are charged depending upon the hour of classes and internet charges. Dr Vasundhara of Vasundhara Performing Arts centre is teaching students for the past five years through Skype. She has more than 35 students. Her daughter-in-law Meghala said it is a good tool to propagate Indian art overseas. Advancement of technology and better internet connection has helped. Badari Divya Bhushan of Bhushans’ Academy of Performing Arts said he is teaching more than 16 students online. He has students from Dubai, France, Australia and the US.
“The communication with students happens online at a pre-determined time and date. Though there is a time difference between here and the
US, it is not a problem. I take classes at night when it is day for them,” he said.
NRI Anoosha Sri, who learnt Bharatnatyam through Skype from her guru said: “I didn’t experience any difficulty while learning online. I settled in the US but was deeply interested in Bharatnatyam. I Googled to know more about the dance centres and found one in Mysore. I have been practising for the last few months and fulfilled my dream of performing live on stage.”