Spotlight

Natya Kala Conference 2024 – Abhijata

Akhila Krishnamurthy of Aalaap, the creative collaborator for the Natya Kala Conference (NKC) for the past eight years, shares that their work begins a full nine months ahead of the event. Under Akhila’s leadership, Aalaap meticulously manages the conference’s branding, communication, event execution, and logistics. Beyond these responsibilities, the team actively contributes ideas to enhance the overall experience of this prestigious gathering.

The Natya Kala Conference, hosted annually by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, is a prestigious forum dedicated to exploring the richness of Indian classical and folk dance. Featuring insightful discussions, workshops, and performances, the conference attracts luminaries and enthusiasts alike, fostering a deeper understanding of the art form. This year’s conference is curated by dancers Nirupama-Rajendra.

In a conversation with Sruti, they speak about what the conference has in store for the rasikas this year.

What is special about NKC 2024?

Inspired by the richness and depth of our arts, we’ve themed this year’s conference Abhijata.

Abhijata embodies the essence of human expression, bringing together diverse artistic elements in sessions. From classical styles to folk and theatrical traditions like Yakshagana and Lavani, we will present a comprehensive tapestry of our artistic heritage.

Through sessions like ‘Kal Ke Kalaakaar’ and panel discussions on technology, art, economy, and regulations, we aim to facilitate meaningful dialogue and reflection on the present and future of our art forms.

We have also curated an exciting range of practical workshops and interactive sessions. Storytelling through masks and special headgears of Chhau, and a capella workshop showcasing the exciting possibilities of the human voice, amongst others. This conference also brings back to life the lost tradition of nritta-pratimala and aashu-abhinaya, fostering spontaneous art creation. These innovative sessions will provide a platform for artists to experiment, improvise, and push the boundaries of their creativity.

What did you have in mind while curating the sessions and selecting the artists?

Our primary focus was on crafting a content that would showcase the multifaceted nature of natya. We began by identifying key themes and topics that would bring out the various dimensions and layers of natya. We then carefully selected artists who had worked on these topics or had the potential to bring unique perspectives to the performances and discussions.

For instance, our session on Shastranubhuti features renowned Sanskrit scholar R Ganesh, who will highlight the importance of sastras in performing arts. To illustrate the universality of Natya Sastra, we have Arjun Bharadwaj’s talk, Aseema, which explores the connections between Indian and GrecoRoman drama - explorating the connections between ancient Indian dramaturgy and Greco-Roman theater.

We have also commissioned young professional dancers to interpret 7th-century Amarushathaka poems and participate in the Nrittaprathimala, a revived ancient Indian practice. We have Rajiv Menon who will speak on the evolution of classical dance and music in popular media. Additionally, experts in movement and artificial intelligence, choreographers, and sound design specialists will discuss the intersection of technology and natya.

NKC 2024 has a total of 82 artists across 24 sessions.

Both of you are curating it as a couple; did each of you have a different take?

As a couple curating the Natya Kala Conference 2024, we’ve always shared a unified vision. We like to say that we’re ‘two bodies, one soul, married to art.’ Our approach has been collaborative from the start, with mutual understanding, discussion, and a shared commitment to achieving our artistic goals.

One special aspect of our curation is the session ‘Daampathyam,’ where we bring together renowned couples in the world of classical dance. This session highlights the unique harmony of personal and artistic collaboration.

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