Traditional knowledge to shape arts-in-health (2)

Traditional knowledge to shape arts-in-health (2) 

It is difficult to enumerate, yet alone comprehend all the learnings that gurus impart to their students. It has been the privilege of my life to resume my Bharatanatyam studies with Smt. Maheshwari Nagarajan ("Amma") and Smt. Vanitha Jayan ("Didi") in Ahmedabad. In the last post, I suggested that traditional art forms like Bharatanatyam may help guide arts-in-health initiatives. In this post, I list some of the teachings of Amma and Didi that directly impact health.

In addition to breathing exercises, routines to strengthen toes, and wearing a dance sari during practice, Amma emphasizes that we pay keen attention to, and have an interest in, music, literature, poetry, fabric, embroidery, and the technical aspects of a show, such as lighting, shadows, and sound. Amma and Didi also talk about the inner life of an artist; by not comparing oneself to others, and by finding something to appreciate in everyone, they counsel how our inner lives can impact our dance practice. 

As arts-in-health researchers shape the field, we should seek advice from traditional art forms and its practitioners. What might such a collaboration look like? How can we collaborate with our elders in a way that is non-extractive? 

PC: Warut Snidvongs at City College Center for the Arts 

PC: Libby Lussenhop at City College Center for the Arts 
Gratitude to Guru Nivedita ShivRaj for teaching me this song