I was with one of my friend last night....just say his name is NK, a young indian boy. Recently he lost his motorbike where is it was only mode of transport for his dance classes....
After 4 years being in this famous dance group, he decided to leave the group....reason varies and there are certain reason only known to him...
He is not a classical dancer...he does all these folk and modern dance for indian audience....there has been never a place that he never danced...every where from, carnival, clubs to grand ballroom to tv recordings....i ve seen his moves..well cordinated, sleek and energetic...." Anna , i have been a fulltime dancer for past 4 years and what i get is mere 200 - 300 a month. How can i survive with this...because of this dissatisfaction NK fought with his mother....and until now they are not in talking term.
This is a story of passion into dance was taken advantage by some quarters. If you look at this well established group, they have been performing for big events and goverment function since 1980s...They earn....they have their own premise at Klang....Thousand of Ringgits are spents on costumes......but treating your dancer is such way is not right......
NK shared that he used to survive with few Ringgits and share meal with his dance friends....pity....sometimes he dont even have money and shy to ask from his dance master......but isnt it your hard earned money???
What NK was earning is equal a three dance performance for any Malay Carma dancer. He does more than 12 events a months....that excluding the double shows on weekends and shootings for Tamil movies.....
Education does play an important role...NK is not really educated...infact only managed up to form 2. Now he is 20 year old young boy. No education, no other skill, just dance...This is the techniques for the owner of the group...take the uneducated, teach them dance, show them the glamour world, give them cool costumes, beautiful make up etc.....keep them as your fulltime dancer and pay them peanuts.....it wont be wrong if say " Modern day slavery....This reminds me of Ring Master and The Circus Animals.....If you want to be the next Nayanthara or Vijay, the only escapism is dance for some of our young indian youths.....negleting studies, family and social life....but when the times come then they understands and its way too late.
This boy couldnt take it anymore...sadly how far a Indian modern dancer in Malaysia can go up on his own??? Even a choreographer for Janet Jackson or Beyonce will find an hard time finding any job in choreography in Malaysia....
I went to his house for Deepavali. He, his younger brother and mum stays in a 2 room small house...quite decent house for three of them. But its the ends meet that matters...The Electricity bill, rental, food etc etc etc. How much you can settle with the meagre income in Shah Alam a metropolitan city????
" Anna, Benji said that he is gonna get me chance with a India based dance group...." said the naive NK. Benji is a local star....Ok, so are you gonna depend only on Benji for your future??? Arent you gonna look for any other alternative??? In this world we are responsible for our life....not anyone else.....
I asked him what you want to do??? He is not sure......Yesterday he was a star entertaining people and today he is nothing....where is he gonna go???
" NK, you are already a good dancer, now excel to become a choreographer , get your own people and start to do something. From there built a name for yourself. " i said to him last nite. At least thats wat i can tell him...Of course too late for him to continue back his education....or the best thing is to take up other skill that may help him....
While driving back home, Dev my fellow dancers was beside me. " You know what Dev, we should have brand of own self....When you look at Era or Temple of Fine Arts, you dont recognise the name of the dancer. Its the name of the organisation matter. True enuff, thats their corporate culture and we cant blame them...But in Sutra or Asthana the importance of dancer's identity is given....From here as an individual the development to the next level is opened.....I dont expect Asthana dancers to be there forever and be a dancer forever....they need to go and rise their wings...." Amam Ravineh....Namma studiole ellorum yethavathu onnu seinjukitthu irukkanga. Sasi, Naren, Thina studies pannaranga....Kunakku bridal theriyum, nantha kuda manasu vaccha oru hair saloon seyyalam, ellarukkum oru thaniya skill allathu education irukku....( You right Ravine, Everyone in our studio has something in their hand, look at sasi, Naren Thina, they studying, Kuna knows bridal, Nantha can open up a saloon if he puts his heart in..) said Dev.....
Dev is such talented boy that i have in this studio....He is a upcoming choreographer, can sings, very good writer, he can do announcing, Mcing, actor....everything that a performing artist shud have.....at his age of 21, he thinks beyond his age. He is pursuing his studies in audio engineering and working part timed in a editing company. Sometime i see the myself in him....at his age i was like him....running around like mad dog, UPM, Akademi TV3, work at KLIA, be a project director for University events, a dancer , a choreographer etc. All these without my parents...on my own....i dont know where i got the energy from....actually it is the fury that shud not fall back in my community...being Indian, being dark, being Tamil, being an orphan, ....i have to be exceptional.....i learnt to fly...in the harsh condition....
Well in NK's predicament.....you have been in cage all these while, now the sky is yours...its time to fly.......i will continue to write......
truly inspiring..last few lines truly motivating!
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