Keeping the arts alive
THE Covid-19 pandemic has proven to be a challenge to the arts industry. But for Durban’s Manesh Maharaj, adapting and moving the cultural art form of Kathak to digital and collaborative spaces is key to keeping the dance form alive and relevant.
In his most recent endeavour last weekend, Maharaj collaborated with Durban’s award-winning Flatfoot Dance Company for their Park Dances#2 project – a live theatre experience at Durban Botanic Gardens.
Over recent months, he has collaborated with award-winning actor, singer and dancer Rory Booth and other artists, documenting their art on video and releasing it on digital platforms.
Maharaj said in pushing through this challenging time he considered himself a performing Guru, concurrently playing two roles
– one as an independent artist and the other as a teacher to his students at the Kala Darshan – Institute of Classical Music and Dance.
“With regards to my institute, all our classes have shifted to a digital medium and have remained this way since the beginning of Covid. We have embraced this medium with great success. Although this method cannot compare to in person lessons, we have managed to maintain the standard of the art.
“With regards to my performing career as a Kathak dancer, I've recently completed a successful run with the Flatfoot Dance Company. This was my first live performance since the lockdown last year and it was truly a special experience.
“Aside from this I've embarked on a new journey of collaborating with other artists and documenting our work through video. Most of this work endeavours to break down barriers and bring together different cultures thus promoting peace, harmony, unity and love within our community,” Maharaj said.
One of those collaborations was with Booth over Christmas last year.
“We released a cover version of the Gospel song, Mary Did You Know? This was a beautiful coming together of Kathak by myself and gospel singing by Rory.
“The St Thomas Anglican Church in Musgrave served as a conducive space to shoot this video. Since then, the video has become viral on social media reaching viewers from across the globe.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the positive feedback from so many people from different countries and cultures. I then realised the potency of this medium of producing and
sharing creative work with a message.”
Maharaj’s next collaboration was with Carnatic vocalist, Kerolin Govender.
“I had previously worked with Kerolin on a video we released for Diwali during the lockdown. This was also well received at a time when people needed that special ray of hope and we were happy to share this offering with them. Our recent collaboration titled Jog Thillana – The Union was a blend of South Indian Carnatic music, interpreted through the North Indian classical dance form, Kathak.
“This beautiful video spoke for itself, transcending linguistic barriers and bringing together two unique genres existing in harmony through art. It continues to trend on social media and it is so heart-warming to receive the blessings and good wishes of our audiences who appreciate our merging of North and South Indian art forms.”
As much as the pandemic has brought with it challenges, Maharaj said it had also brought opportunities in the arts.
“Personally, Covid and the
lockdown has presented me with a new avenue of sharing art through video and it has proven highly effective. Being primarily a stage artist, I have gathered immense knowledge on the art of videography and I feel grateful to be able to create work and share it through this medium.
“Due to the powerful reach a video has, my art has continued to thrive and spread.
“This being said, the process of making a video or CD is neither easy nor cheap. It is therefore imperative for audiences to support artists in whichever way they can, especially during these challenging times. Buying that online ticket, purchasing a CD or DVD and refraining from piracy is the only way to ensure the preservation of the performing arts and artists.”
Govender and Maharaj are currently working on a video, which will be showcased with the launch of Govender’s vocal album. Maharaj is also working on a special project with his 10-year-old niece and student, Hemani Singh. This will be released as an offering to the Hindu deity, Lord Krishna on his birthday on August 30.
To view the videos and for more information on release dates coming up, follow: Manesh Maharaj on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.