A Correspondent
Shamim
Ara Nipa is one of the top exponents of classical dance in the country,
and her school, Nrityanchal (co-founded with Shibli Mohammad), has
developed a reputation for being an excellent institution. The Daily
Star recently caught up with the veteran artiste about her school.
What is the vision of your dance school Nrityanchal?
Nipa: Nrityanchal aims at developing dancers with a foundation in at least one classical dance form and basic knowledge about a few contemporary moves. We also emphasise on workshops guided by different trainers.
What are the selection criteria for your students?
Nipa: For private lessons we select students who are skilled to some extent in dance. For the school we take the beginners as well as skilled dancers. However, even beginners have to show some aptitude. Dance is something we inherit, but all too often a process of learning.
What is the ideal age for beginners?
Nipa: It's good for them to start up at four-five years. That is the ideal age when we can help them to stay with the right rhythm and tempo.
How do you plan your TV programme “Tarana”?
Nipa: We regard this as our creative responsibility not just a TV show. We call participants from every corner of the country so that we don't leave out any potential dancers. We approach them when we learn that they dance well, even if they are not perfect in their moves.
For workshops with senior artistes, we filter only the skilled dancers as participants. We don't take risks with amateurs. The best thing about “Tarana” is that the judges give their critical inputs so that dancers learn how to develop their art, wear the right costumes for certain dance forms. You cannot learn all this merely from dance classes.
What are your plans to take Nrityanchal further?
Nipa: Our aim is to give our students a complete education in dance and develop their potential. It's up to them to decide how far they want to take it.
How expensive is the dance form?
Nipa: Dancing is an expensive art form because you have to have the right costumes, accessories, singers, stage, lights and so on for a performance. Then again, it's all about how well you perform; the degree of clarity in your steps. In that case, the performance itself becomes the ornament.
A memorable moment in your dance career …
Nipa: Nothing can beat our happiness at performing for the Nobel Prize ceremony. We were the first ever dancers to perform at Stockholm Concert Hall in Sweden. It is certainly the most memorable moment of my life.
Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon
What is the vision of your dance school Nrityanchal?
Nipa: Nrityanchal aims at developing dancers with a foundation in at least one classical dance form and basic knowledge about a few contemporary moves. We also emphasise on workshops guided by different trainers.
What are the selection criteria for your students?
Nipa: For private lessons we select students who are skilled to some extent in dance. For the school we take the beginners as well as skilled dancers. However, even beginners have to show some aptitude. Dance is something we inherit, but all too often a process of learning.
What is the ideal age for beginners?
Nipa: It's good for them to start up at four-five years. That is the ideal age when we can help them to stay with the right rhythm and tempo.
How do you plan your TV programme “Tarana”?
Nipa: We regard this as our creative responsibility not just a TV show. We call participants from every corner of the country so that we don't leave out any potential dancers. We approach them when we learn that they dance well, even if they are not perfect in their moves.
For workshops with senior artistes, we filter only the skilled dancers as participants. We don't take risks with amateurs. The best thing about “Tarana” is that the judges give their critical inputs so that dancers learn how to develop their art, wear the right costumes for certain dance forms. You cannot learn all this merely from dance classes.
What are your plans to take Nrityanchal further?
Nipa: Our aim is to give our students a complete education in dance and develop their potential. It's up to them to decide how far they want to take it.
How expensive is the dance form?
Nipa: Dancing is an expensive art form because you have to have the right costumes, accessories, singers, stage, lights and so on for a performance. Then again, it's all about how well you perform; the degree of clarity in your steps. In that case, the performance itself becomes the ornament.
A memorable moment in your dance career …
Nipa: Nothing can beat our happiness at performing for the Nobel Prize ceremony. We were the first ever dancers to perform at Stockholm Concert Hall in Sweden. It is certainly the most memorable moment of my life.
Published: 12:00 am Friday, November 14, 2014
Last modified: 11:12 am Friday, November 14, 2014
