Kalaghoda - Why horse around with performers ?

Lack of technical and organizational support, disappoints performers at the festival

Kala Ghoda needs no introduction to an Indian artist. A prestigious  festival that takes place in Mumbai,  draws artists and art lovers from across the country is every artist's dream , at least that is what all my colleagues who performed there had to say. With great expectations of being part of such a festival,  I prepared myself with intense rehearsals , music, properties  and light design.

The performance that is normally held in the centre of Horniman Gardens in Mumbai  was held in a small park that was incredibly unclean and surround by traffic noise. The stage was erected just in time while the green rooms were being constructed till the performance began and there was absolutely no washroom facilities anywhere around the stage.Performers could not have a light rehearsal as the performance was scheduled to start at 5pm and the lights arrived only post lunch. Despite specifying in advance, the light design for a contemporary dance piece , it was a disappointing to see parcans and scanners being used like christmas lights. 

The 7th of February 2011, was an evening filled with performances where dance was merely reduced to entertainment . From Kuchipudi to Kathak , Bharatnatyam to Belly dance , Cinematic to jazz , classical to contemporary, everything was jam packed within a schedule of six hours. A group of young girls came on stage and rehearsed a dance piece to a bollywood number calling it contemporary dance. Every form including cinematic dance has its place and audience. Jumbling Indian Classical dance with Belly dance and Jazz could simply leave the audience in a haze.

My experience at the Kalaghoda festival was extremely disappointing. I had accepted to perform at the festival after being offered a pay that did not even cover my travel expenses. With no accommodation or hospitality, I was lost in a strange city. Though the curator of the evening was trying to be hospitable, there was not much she could do, due to lack of funds and weak organizational support. It seemed torturous to force myself to perform in a space that seemed more like a merry-go-around in a fair and I took a decision to not perform at all. 

Would a swimmer swim in an empty pool even if it were the Olympic games ? Would a pianist play a piano with broken keys?, then why is it that dancers compromise with what they need to perform. A wooden floor to prevent serious injuries , good lights to enhance the choreography or convey a concept ,  decent levels of cleanliness and a platform where the art is given its due respect are bare necessities and not luxuries.

Every performer has the right to demand for technical support and ideal performing conditions. The organizers have the responsibility to keep their word. It is important to know that it is impossible to force someone to perform in disagreeing circumstances  and the choice of performance always remains with the performing artist.