TV channels reluctant to promote Kathak, say artists

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 25

Kathak artists Rani Karnaa Nayak, a Padma Shri and Geetanjali Lal, a ‘Sangeet Natak Award’ winner feel that the reluctant stance of commercial TV channels to promote the classical art is one of the major reasons that young generation is unwilling to pursue the classical dance.

Speaking to Jalandhar Tribune, Rani Karnaa (75), from Kolkata said apart from DD Bhrati and DD National no other channel had done anything to promote Kathak or any other classical art. The government provides scholarship, but it is not enough to encourage the Kathak. We often have to rely upon the sponsorships provided by private sector.

Similarly, Geetanjali Lal, a Delhi-based Kathak artist said private TV channels had a lax attitude towards classical art. As some channels provide time to the classical art during late night hours, most of the people don’t watch them.

Rani Karnaa said, “I have performed in Asian, European, American and African countries. The kind of response I got was marvellous. I am running an institution, Samskritki Shreyaskar in Kolkata.”

Geetangali said she had been running an institute called ‘Devi Durga Kathak Sansthan’ in Delhi.

Remembering their good old days, Rani Karnaa said she started learning Kathak at the age of five.

“My family encouraged me for the same. I feel fortunate enough that I got training from the famous gurus of Lucknow and Jaipur Gharana. I have been carrying forward their legacy,” Rani said.

“I was six-year-old when I started leaning from Guru Roshan Kumari and Gopi Krishna. There was no TV channel at that time and I was not allowed to go to cinema. My father was a classical artist too.” Gitanjali Lal Said.