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Holistic Syllabus
Kiran
Ratna gains an insight into Anusha Subramanium’s
thoughts on Bharatnatyam in the UK
A
Bharatnatyam dancer, choreographer, teacher and dance
movement therapist. Anusha has performed and taught
internationally and also trained as a Pilates teacher.
She is one of the finest exponents of Bharatanatyam
in the UK.
K
– What do you think of the role ISTD play for
the development of Bharatanatym in UK?
A – We are proud that UK based ISTD has led the
standardisation of Bharatnatyam in the West.
The syllabus is holistic, incorporating body conditioning
and music aspects also.
K
– What do you think of the content?
A – Though the syllabus has excellent content,
there are concerns whether the teachers understand the
content correctly and have the knowledge to teach all
the aspects. More teachers should be encouraged to take
on external tutors who specialise in aspects such as
body conditioning, anatomical awareness etc., and continue
to keep themselves updated.
K
– So, what do you think of ISTD’s syllabus
specifications and skill sharing days to ensure the
correct understanding of the syllabus? As well as the
general courses held across the UK on topics such as
injury prevention and anatomical awareness?
A – I think that they are all very good and effective
ways of giving a good understanding of the syllabus.
Teachers should be made more aware of these and encouraged
to attend.
K
– Take me through to your ideal body conditioning
ideas for correct development.
A – Ideally I would like to have a Grade before
Grade 1 that totally focuses on body conditioning. And
only when that has developed to an adequate level to
begin Bharatnatyam training. It’s important to
develop body conditioning awareness from a young age.
With the very young, start with simple dance movement
exercises incorporating games, directions, traveling
and simple yoga. From ages of about 10 years, there
is more serious Yoga and Pilates for core stability
as well as types of exercises done in Ballet to ensure
develop turn out to its maximum. From about Grade 3
students should have anatomical awareness. Later in
life the teachers and dancers need to ensure they continue
exercising. Many of the older generation continue to
strive to be good dancers & don’t stop when
it’s time.
K
– Any concluding remarks about the ISTD’s
relationship with BN in the UK?
A – Initially people thought that the ISTD syllabus
would introduce a standardised style of Bharatnatyam,
loosely speaking a ‘mini Kalakshetra’. I
myself and many others trained in Kalakshetra full time
from the age of 16, so that is the reference point taken
by most. Now, however, I have realised that it is important
to also adhere to the ISTD’s standards, as expected
in other dance forms such as Ballet. So, although I
do truly believe in the Kalakshetra teachings, now see
that perhaps things need to be thought of differently
for ISTD’s Graded examinations which are aimed
at those who learn Bharatnatyam as once a week recreational
activity.
Kiran Ratna, a Bharatnatyam practitioner and a committee
member of ISTD South Asian Dance Faculty
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