Italian dancer Ileana Citaristi performing on the Mudra Nationwide Dance Competition in Thiruvananthapuram, in 2013.
| Picture Credit score: S.MAHINSHA
Italian by beginning, Ileana Citaristi has been residing in Odisha since 1979 in shut contact with the folks, language and tradition related to the dance kind she is captivated with. She took to Odissi after practising conventional in addition to the experimental theatre in Europe. Ileana has carried out throughout the globe as an Odissi and Mayurbhanj Chhau exponent. She has been conducting workshops, writing on dance and dealing on documentaries to popularise the artwork types.
Sitting in her aesthetically designed home, overlooking lake Bindusagar in Bhubaneshwar, Ileana describes the enjoyment of discovering herself in dance and the way it helped her discover a dwelling away from dwelling.
Odissi dancer lleana Citaristi at Perur Patteeswara Temple in Coimbatore on September 20, 2015, as a part of Natyanjali dance competition.
| Picture Credit score:
SIVA SARAVANAN S
How did you resolve to make Indian classical dance your calling?
I first got here to India in 1978 to study Kathakali in Kerala for 3 months as a result of I wished to incorporate a few of its actions in my theatre work. I got here again the very subsequent yr with the identical intention — to remain in Odisha for six months to study Odissi. After assembly guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, six months grew to become six years. Lastly, I made a decision to remain on eternally.
You’ve settled in Bhubaneshwar. What made you make town your own home?
I used to be in Cuttack for 11 years. I moved to Bhubaneshwar solely as a result of guruji had additionally shifted. Initially I didn’t like town a lot. I used to be lacking Cuttack. However as soon as I knew Odissi was going to be a lifelong pursuit, I bought a land within the previous a part of the Metropolis close to Bindusagar lake and constructed a house-cum-studio and a dance corridor.
Ileana Citaristi performing Shiv Tandav. She learnt the favored piece from her Chhau guru, Sri Hari Nayak.
| Picture Credit score:
Picture courtesy: Ileana.
artvisionindia.com
How was it coaching beneath guru Kelucharan?
I used to be fortunate to get the perfect gurus for each Odissi and Chhau. Kelubabu was a taskmaster, for whom solely perfection mattered. He was capable of make clear all my doubts as a result of he was the creator of what he was educating. He was extraordinarily artistic and on the similar time was at all times eager to find and study new issues. There was a lot to imbibe from him. My Chhau guru Sri Hari Nayak was at all times prepared to show and share his information with out anticipating something in return. He was pleased with me since I started to be identified for the Shiva Tandava piece that he gained experience in as a younger dancer.
The younger Ileana Citaristi throughout an earlier efficiency in New Delhi.
| Picture Credit score:
Picture: The Hindu Archives
How completely different is Mayurbhanj Chhau from Odissi?
I feel the 2 types are complementary to one another. They’re each from the identical soil and their primary stance, the tribhangi as it’s referred to as in Odissi and dharan in Chhau, is predicated on the identical triple bending of the physique. However the objective for which the 2 types had been developed is completely different. Odissi was meant for the closed enclave of the temple as a type of prayer to Jagannath whereas Chhau was seen as a approach to preserve the physique match for battle and was practised within the open house of the akhadas within the villages of Odisha. One can purchase power and a way of stability by studying Chhau, and style and a way of rhythm from Odissi.
From her manufacturing ‘Sharira’
The place do you see the classical arts within the current state of affairs?
There’s now renewed enthusiasm with extra kids taking to classical arts. They bring about with them new concepts and a recent sensibility, that are important for a practice to evolve.
You might be additionally identified in your enriching and well-designed workshops. Are they a approach to attain out to kids?
These days lots of kids are despatched to study dance by dad and mom only for the sake of it. There isn’t a correct motivation or information concerning the coaching. A few of them discontinue unable to deal with artwork and tutorial strain. I would really like the dad and mom to be extra concerned within the course of in order that they will encourage the youngsters in the best approach. Classical dance is a whole system of schooling, it doesn’t relate solely to physique motion. It consists of research of literature, music, mythology and philosophy. Except there may be correct understanding of its worth , there isn’t a level in losing time studying it.
Inform us about your present choreographic work.
Normally, I current a brand new choreography yearly on the Sangam competition held from September to October. My final choreography was on the artwork of weaving in relation to the feel of life. It was referred to as ‘Suta – The Thread’. I carry each my western and jap sensibilities once I create a brand new work. I’m in quest of a topic. It’s good to get impressed by one thing to create. I’m wanting round for that inspiration.
