DIYA NAIDU, 33
Choreographer, performer, teacher and facilitator who spent many years as part of the Attakalari Centre for Movement Arts’ repertoire.
FREEDOM TO ME IS Not just physical; it is conceptual and emotional as well. As artists we are severely limited by financial constraints, this affects the quality of work and the time that can be devoted to the creative. As a female dancer, it is about the ability to rehearse late into the night without having to look over my shoulder on the way back. It is also being able to talk about any subject without fear of repercussion.
On the other hand, freedom is the deep sense of feeling alive when on stage where I am free of even the thoughts in my head.
IF I HAD COMPLETE FREEDOM
I would be in a fully-funded long-term project that would involve a space to train and rehearse in, time and money for deep and sustained research and funds to be able to pay everybody well. It would mean not being bound by having to make enough for the rent for the month and instead be able to fully focus on the art; to have the absolute right and power to make the work one wants to make, be it political, abstract or purely aesthetic.