Chinua Achebe

Recently in an interview Chinua Achebe said that it was intolerable for any man to stand up and claim that his Ibo dialect is better than another Ibo dialect. Or Achebe added to claim that his dialect is the only one. This statement transported me to a dance conference in India ten years ago when all the major dance gurus in Chennai were caught up in a debate as to which bhani or school of Bharatanatyam was superior. As Achebe says this is the wrong question to debate about. Different schools of bharatanatyam have evolved over time corresponding to the different gurus and their stylistic choices. Ultimately they are all a celebration of a beautiful classical dance form from Tamil Nadu. These various styles attest to the enduring beauty and grace of that artform. The diversity within the form enriches it and allows for customization to fit the dancer's temperament and preferences. As Achebe says this is a celebration of the people and their identity. Applying this to Bharata Natyam this is a celebration of what is happening today - there are multiple schools of dance and the dancer and the dance gurus need to celebrate this. So even though the bharatanatyam world maybe searching for new ways to grow and preserve the rigor of the classical form, dancers within the space would do well to take Achebe's advice and celebrate the present vibrant state of the art. To dance with great joy, freedom and ownership is one of the most beautiful gifts one can share with the world.