In a busy world where every step is counted, where every breath is accounted for; you increasingly need a tool which keeps your spirit in sync with the business of life. Dance is a magical glue that can combine the two for life. So says Madhuri Dixit, who has been doing it for years. Trained in Kathak, dance held her in good stead when she was acting. It gave her the expressions to die for. And when she wanted to live for her kids, it kept her spirit in good shape. And now, in her second innings, she is known more of a dancer than an actor. Though Madhuri takes umbrage at this observation, she maintains that with intense competition in academics dominating the life of youngsters parents should encourage children to take up an art form “Apart from benefiting growth of healthy mind and body, it doubles up as a stress and strife buster and inculcates discipline. You learn a skill set for a life time enabling you to be on our own and relax. Dance enables to focus and concentrate. You move to your own zone and it helps in overcoming grief, worry and aggression.”
From “Kahe Chhed Mohe” to “Que Sera Sera”, over the years, Madhuri has done justice to different dance forms. So she is the obvious choice to judge the new dance-based reality show, So You Think You Can Dance – Ab India Ki Baari on &TV, where street dance is pitted against stage dance. Here one can perform kathak in pants and stilettos. Madhuri does not agree that stage forms represent softness and spirituality while street dance tilts towards aggression and self-expression. “Yes, the two are different in terms of body language and expression but are in no way incompatible and certainly not conflicting,” she argues.
Driving home her point, she elaborates. “Stage has a more open body language comprising weaves, patterns and designs with definite flow of sequence. It involves covering the entire platform entailing a lot of movement and discipline. The performance is pre-planned and has set pieces which do not allow any change on the spur of the moment. On other hand street performance is free flowing and spontaneous allowing the artist to take the performance to whatever direction he or she pleases and desires. Though many of the moves are common and similar, this art form allows for tremendous improvisation and leeway for impulses. I see it as an expression of one’s emotions, feelings and sentiments.”
Sometime back, Madhuri launched a dance academy through an online website called Dance With Madhuri where people can learn different forms like waltz, samba, dandia, etc online. Is it the latest twist to guru-shishya tradition, one wonders. “The audition for the programme was a real opener. Even though many had trained in an academy or school or under a guru, a vast number had picked up the art from the web. When I started ‘Dance With Madhuri’, it was solely to introduce people to different styles but on learning how influencing internet can be I felt good.”
Having said that she adds, one needs that personal touch of a guru to move to the next level. “There are many who like to perform in school function or some social event and occasions like marriage, parties and get-togethers and for those learning moves from the web is sufficient. Moreover, it is less taxing in terms of money and time.” After a pause, she quips, “You can always revisit the site in case you forget.”
Observing that there is a substantial change in the last ten years in terms of content in Hindi films, Madhuri feels this ‘women-oriented’ phase is here to stay. “I had a good run during my time as I got some pivotal roles to essay. Even the characters I played in Dedh Ishqiya and Gulaab Gang gave plenty of scope.”
However, dance shows are giving her a new identity in the eyes of new generation but Madhuri is quick to point that “I was, I am and will always be an actor. I do not deny being passionate about dance but acting is my first love.” She goes on to underline, “Don’t you think the several awards and nominations speak out loud and clear?” Well, you can’t dispute that.
Between the lines
On the format
“The format makes street artists do a stage item and the stage performers execute street art –– testing a participant’s versatility and adaptability, the true mark of an artist.”
From classical to “Ek Do Teen”
“Even though trained in Kathak, I initially found it difficult to mould myself to perform the choreographed songs in films as the body language and movements were entirely different but training did help me to pick up the nuances and subtleties faster. On stage, the focus is on performance but while shooting one has to take keep in mind the camera and the clearly marked performance arena while trying to synchronise emotions and dance movements.”
