On our first episode of Dance History month, your co-hosts Martheya and Azaria interview dancer, painter and actor, described by The New York Times as "a tour de force...a true act of transcendence…”, Mesma Belsaré. In this episode, we go behind the screen and talk about Mesma’s dance lineage, Indian Classical dance, Bharatanātyam, institutionalizing arts education, presenting Indian Classical dance, and the value of mentorship and mindset.
This week on DANCE BEHIND THE SCREEN PODCAST…
[0:28] Martheya and Azaria introduce Mesma Belsaré
QUESTIONS WITH MESMA BELSARÉ
[3:04] Martheya asks: “Can you walk us through your history with dance? On a guest blog post for Dakshina you wrote “Dance is essential for my survival. On one hand it nourishes, fulfills, invigorates me and on the other it is a source of my agony, pain and longing for the achievement of the unattained. Dance brings me closer to a profound, divine presence.” Can you describe your dance lineage?”
[7:59] Azaria asks: “How can Classical Indian dance exist on the university level in the USA?”
[13:29] Azaria asks: “Can you give us the highlights of Bharatanātyam for someone who has maybe never seen Indian Classical dance before?”
[22:44] Martheya asks: “Are there any resources you recommend for our listeners who want to learn more about non-western/euro-centric centered dance forms such as Indian Classical dance?”
[26:43] Azaria asks: “How can the dance world be more aware, more accepting, and more educated when it comes to presenting Indian Classical dance forms?”
[32:02] Azaria asks: “I was curious if you had any thoughts on the US modern dance lineage?”
[44:2] Martheya asks: “Can you talk about how you arrived at re-imaging and re-assessing classical dance forms? Why did you want to do this?”
[49:20] Azaria asks:
1- If you had to recommend a resource to our audience what would it be?
Book- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
[50:27] Martheya asks:
2- What was the first dance you saw?
“The dancing trees… the dancing birds… the dance of the river…I saw dance in everything and when I recognized it in myself I couldn't’ resist it”
[51:03] Azaria asks:
3- Do you think social media has a positive influence on the dance world (yes or no)?
“Yes, if we know how social media can be used for dancers, dance practice, dance education”
[51:39] Martheya asks:
4- What is your favorite social media platform?
YouTube
#MesmaBelsaré Recommended Resources
Artist- Padmashri Geeta Chandran, https://www.instagram.com/chandrangeeta/
Organization- Indian Council for Cultural Relations, https://www.iccr.gov.in/
Organization- Sangeet Natak Akademi , https://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/videos.php
Book- Shilpa Shastra, http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15799coll16/id/20558
Book- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, https://amzn.to/2YQKQ5u
Connect with #MesmaBelsaré
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/mesma.belsare
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/mesmabelsare/ | @mesmabelsare
LinkedIn- Mesma Belsaré
Website- www.mesmabelsare.com | www.mesmabelare.com/art