“Bharata-Kali: Guru’s Hybrid Act Sparks Outrage”

Text by : Vikram Kumar B R
Editor in Chief

The holy art forms of Indian classical dances, such as Kathakali, Odissi, and Bharatanatyam, have been painstakingly created by legends via thorough Great research and adherence to ancient shastras. Instead of being only amusement, these customs combine exact mudras, adavus, footwork, abhinaya, and costumes into a religious sacrifice that is a seva to the almighty.

They are admired by rasikas all over the world for their genuineness and profundity. However, under the pretence of “contemporary” or “fusion” experimentation, a large number of senior Performes, Teachers and so-called gurus are destroying this legacy today.
It’s a concerning tendency. Rasikas (connoisseurs) criticise the performers’ mashup of Indian classical music with non-traditional costumes, props, and techniques from other genres as being cheesy and unauthentic.

Using Kathakali costumes and accessories, I recently saw a senior guru, who was also the recipient of a National Award in the modern category, perform Bharatanatyam abhinaya. Audiences were astonished by this “Bharata Kali” hybrid. Years ago, his pure Bharatanatyam merited recognition, but to secure the award, they classified him as contemporary. Rumour has it that his experiments were a result of that validation. Instead of these perplexing fusions, Rasikas insist on his distinctive adavus and abhinaya in true Bharatanatyam. Actually, he deserved the National Highest Award for his outstanding Bharatanatyam contribution. Do these elders have an understanding of what authentic fusion or modern dance means?

A few days ago, thousands of classical, folk, and tribal dancers participated in a national event hosted by our prestigious autonomous authority for Indian culture. The scope of the performance was impressive. However, it veered disastrously into the semi-classical area, diluting the religious core of the original footwork, abhinaya, music, and costumes with illogical hybrids.

Our dynamic Prime Minister diligently repatriates stolen icons to restore our glory while championing Sanatana Dharma and the uniqueness of Indian history. However, by making such dilutions, we run the risk of losing our authentic dance traditions even as we recover artefacts.

As India rises as a Vishwa Guru, fulfilling the Honourable Prime Minister’s visionary call to lead the world through its civilizational wisdom, the dilution of our classical arts from within becomes a serious hindrance to that very mission.

Why are our traditional forms being destroyed by gurus, teachers, performers, and senior dancers? Admirers around the world are shocked and wonder what kind of legacy we will leave for future generations.

As audiences turn to screens in this digital age, auditoriums are already empty. Such endeavours hasten the demise of our Santana Kala, the timeless art of the ancient Hindu traditions of Sanatana Dharma. What about our cultural legacy, even though we advocate for dharma?
Fearing retaliation against Awards or honours, many people share their concerns but remain mute. Now is the time for the art community to speak up. This is the time to preserve Indian classical dances, so-called seniors.

Go back to devotion, purity, and shastras. Let fusion flourish on its own, without sacrificing divinity. Unadulterated beauty, not diluted spectacle, is what our generations deserve.

An Appeal to Rasikas and Guardians of Tradition: Rise, question and protect what is Authentic.