Nrityajog calls for unity through the art of dance

World Dance Alliance (Asia Pacific)—Bangladesh Chapter, Nrityajog, took up several initiatives to mark International Dance Day 2020. The dancers are staying indoors due to COVID 19 crisis.  As a result, they are carrying out various dance-related activities from their homes.

The acclaimed dance production, 'Father Vision of the Floating World, directed by renowned dancer and choreographer Akram Khan, was screened on the day from the website of World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific. A total of 29 Bangladeshi dance artistes participated in the production, that premiered on March 17 this year on the occasion of the birth centenary of the F Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Nrityajog also held a special online conference on Zoom, which I attended. At the conference, renowned dance exponents Anisul islam Hero, president, Lubna Marium, general secretary, Laila Hasan, chief adviser and Munmun Ahmed, executive member of the organisation, elaborated on different aspects and adopted several initiatives to address issues emerged out from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Several other active members of Nrityajog, including dancers Tabassum Ahmed, Samina Husain Prema, Amit Chowdhury, Sweety Das Chowdhury, Taskin Anha, Sinthia Yasmin, Alka Das Pranti attended the open-to-all conference.

Nrityajog's key members, Laila Hasan, Lubna Marium and Anisul Islam Hero, called for a greater unity of the dancers through the conference. They also unanimously decided to work for the betterment of all the dance artistes of Bangladesh. In this regard, they have planned to share their views with the executive members of Bangladesh Nrtiya Shilpi Sangstha. Lubna Marium emphasised on engaging district-level promising dancers with their initiatives.

The present situation is really alarming for dancers in Bangladesh. Yet, they are individually and on behalf of their dance organisations, coming up with new productions and carrying on dance performances on online platforms and social media, staying at home. Their positivity and creative energy are truly praiseworthy.

What Munmun Ahmed and Tabassum Ahmed mentioned at the conference is really a matter of concern. "The freelance dancers and teachers, who would take classes at educational institutions, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Shishu Academy and other public and private organisations, are going unpaid as they cannot take classes during this crisis. Even our private tuitions and school classes have been halted. How long will we sustain and survive?" they questioned.

Lubna Marium suggested that dance leaders should unanimously approach to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, different corporate houses, event management companies and mass media to disburse effective incentives, promotion and patronage so that they can survive, sustain and continue their dance practices during this crisis period. Proper incentives need to be implemented for dancers and other artistes, for their livelihood.