A Sense of Regeneration

Recently at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in LA, my all time favorite actor Daniel Day Lewis, talked about other actors who have given him a sense of regeneration. He was paying a moving tribute to Ledger, an young Aussie actor and how his role acting in Brokeback Mountain had given him a sense of wonder, awe and a sense of regeneration. I felt that same sense of regeneration when I watched Navtej Johar in Singapore when he performed Meenakshi. One moment there was a bearded male dancer on stage. Next moment he had transformed into the Goddess - regal, authentic and beautiful. This is a rare and magnificent feat. An incredibly moving one too. I had watched countless number of Indian dancers enact and try to evoke the spirit of both Lord Shiva and Shakti with little success. Yes, it is easy to dress up and look pretty - Indian dancers are famous for doing that. But very veery few have the ability to take the audience on a spiritual journey and transport you into a higher place. Being a dancer for over 30 years I get tired and disappointed with the lack of quality on stage. And the absence of intelligent peer-review. The Indian dance scene is opaque and lack intelligent critics who have been dancers, gurus and who are effectively bilingual. So no compelling reviews in English. The true insiders are also in a conflict of interest role - they don't dare write honestly and suffer the retaliation when it is their turn to perform. To an artist a peer review by an informed insider is invaluable - both for his morale and the evolution of his craft. That is why Daniel Day Lewis comment is critical - his recognition of greatness in a younger actor shows not just generosity but celebration of high caliber craftsmen by an insider veteran. I am sure if Ledger had been alive he would have been deeply moved and felt inspired to climb even higher. As an artist and teacher - don't forget the human and spiritual dimension of the work you do and the industry in which you operate. Keep searching and watching and one day you may catch a gem in action. And you will be inspired. And when you are inspired - you have a duty to celebrate this person who inspired you. Generously. To share this truth in craft, beauty and artistry. And by doing that you inspire others who are searching, For me that gem in action in the Indian classical dance world was Navtej - he gave me a sense of regeneration and inspired me to keep dancing. Thank you Navtej.

www.navtejjohar.com/