Magical ‘Bolly-jazz’ encounter
THERE was something magical in the air in Pretoria on the night of March 16 – a Bolly-Jazz Symphonic Encounter.
The title was inviting yet enigmatic. This concert, hosted by the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Faculty of Arts and Design, was a first.
Over 600 guests were treated to a programme of jazzy greats with an African twist, Bollywood hits, township jazz, classical Bharatanatyam dancers and sparkling African contemporary dancers.
The fusion of different genres of music, song and dance – and costumes and colours – proved to be a heady cocktail.
The Faculty of Arts and Design at TUT embarked on an ambitious project to create a groundbreaking event that would showcase the diverse artistic offerings within the faculty and address the crucial issues of creative industries and “artivism” (art activism).
Professor Nalini Moodley, the
Faculty’s executive dean, urged her team, led ably by researcher and musician Professor Chats Devroop, to actively reject the tendency to accept mediocrity, termed “Paavo” in Tamil (‘ag shame’): leaders should themselves set the bar high.
And that she did, as a key performer in the carefully crafted programme. The Mzansi Philharmonic,
led by director Dan Selsick, was accompanied by soloists Chats Devroop, Varish Singh and Nthabiseng Motsepe-Notyesi; musicians Roland Moses, Mageshan Naidoo, Peter Sklair, Mzamo Mtembu, Keshav Mohanlal and Shameer Bennie; and dancers Siddharthya Pillay, Desna Moodley, Reoratile Ramakutwane, Phelang Chiloane, Sphesihle Mqadi, Lwazi Mnisi and Molebogeng Larakalla.
Compére Josias Dos Moleele and many others, including the Fashion and Design Department, contributed to its success.
With the support of grant funding and the Unisa Music Foundation, the exchange sparked the realisation that the arts can play a powerful role in addressing the growing concerns of xenophobia, racism, nationalism, and divisiveness that plague not only South Africa, but the world at large.