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| Sunday, 1 September 2002 |
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by Umangi De Mel
Nilan Maligaspe acquired his dance skills from George Malcolm, an American who was here for five years. Ballet, Ball room, Jaive, Rap, Disco, Cha Cha are a few dances he mastered during that period. "I started off with Western dance; it's been eight years since I took up dancing," says Nilan. An enthusiastic dancer since the age of 12. Nilan views `Arpeggio' as the fruits of hard work, dedication and enthusiasm. And of course the teaching of his mentor. "Malcolm taught me free of charge. He was the one who laid the foundation to my success," he says with gratitude.
Arpeggio began with just four members, but today it is an Academy with a limited number of youth for whom classes are conducted free of charge. Well versed in many forms of dance, Nilan defines dance as a kind of meditation. "People have no idea as to what `dance' can offer to the human being." He says that dancing is the best way to balance life. "A child learns to adapt and he is taught lots of discipline through dance," He believes that dance depicts life. "When feelings are stimulated by music, the artist re-creates and presents new concepts. Or else, the artist gives a new definition to the music that is being played," he says adding, "An artist is the link between the art and the public; if he's clueless about what he's doing, then the public end up getting a totally wrong idea about the performance," Nilan explains Dance as the most saught after item by the primeval folk, who expressed feelings like happiness and sorrow through various body movements. " But time changed these `body movements' to a more profound act. And the society has already accepted dance as a vital part of creative expression." Commenting on "Power of Dance", the concert, he describes it as an odyssey of dances from the ancient to the modern period. The range of dances included Kandyan, `Wes Natum', Disco, Arabic, Indian, Ballet, Ball room, rock, rap and more.."My dance depicts a range of emotions, from life to death and bliss to anguish. It is the way in which I release what is running riot inside my mind," he says. `Power of Dance is also about bold innovations and giving creativity a free reign.
"Why stick to the same old rhythm when we can enjoy a diversified version of dance? I firmly believe that we should be able to enjoy the many aspects of things that are enjoyable in life," says Nilan and continues.."People look forward to seeing change. And I'm willing to innovate and fulfil that need." Nilan conducts classes free of charge, and often donates the profits of his shows to a worthy cause. Yesterday's show was in aid of the `Shri Suwa Foundation' an institute for the differently abled. Says Nilan "There is no financial benefit. But the self satisfaction after a show is immense. And that is what counts most for all of us at the `Arpeggio'." He believes that people should know their base, but at the same time, it doesn't hurt to know what other countries have to offer. "We are afraid of the things we do not know, which is why we frown or wince at work that are western or modern." He questions why we can't learn from them, if they can come and learn from us. "We, as Sri Lankans have got a style of our own. It's a unique style for which we should be proud. But it doesn't mean we have to curb and adjust the thirst for knowledge and be glued to the routinal stuff." Style in his view differs from country to country, and depends on society, life style, culture and the climate. "There's absolutely no harm in intensifying our knowledge on those," he stresses. So what about future plans? Nilan says that he plans to do a modern ballet in Sri Lanka. "I simply love visuals. That way, you get the idea across to an audience." His first attempt "Kadatholu Nimeshaya" (1998) was the one and only modern ballet presented in the State Ballet Festival. "I stepped into the electronic media with the visual I created for Young Asia Television. (For a song by the group `Enigma') Nilan entered limelight through a Rupavahini programme called "Yatra". "It was the very first episode in `Yatra' back in 1996. I performed a variety of dances called `Until the last moment'," he recalls, "And who says there is no significance to modern dancing?" Liberated in outlook and appreciative of creativity, Nilan doesn't think the dance movements in North and South Indian movies that are being branded as `disgraceful' are in fact disgraceful. He says they contain quite a lot of fine work, and accuses people of being prejudiced by the steps that depict sensuality. However he feels that Sri Lankan artists should not merely follow in their foot-steps, but innovate, with the help of that sort of culture. Confident of his work and his creativity Nilan is positive that he can change the concept to suit any audience. "Each show is a different experience, he says explaining "I do not stick to body movements. I talk to the audience through subtle dance steps," He believes dance is all about love and spiritualism, and says that children between nine to fifteen possess a certain power which is amazing. He also believes if that energy is used to revive a skill such as dancing, they will not go astray. This he says, he knows from past experience."To Nilan Life has rhythm to it. " Our heart beat is a rhythm itself. Cadence is depicted better through dance," he says and extols, "The contemporary audience can't be pleased with physical gestures that are rigid and unyielding. It is a real joy to know that they demand mastery and real talent on stage. Our aim is to cater to their passion." |
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| Produced by Lake House |
"Arpeggio"
- It means Fluid movement, defines a vocalist. And they seem to be just
that. Supple as ever..`Arpeggio' Dance Academy staged its very own
creation `Power of Dance', at the Tower Hall Theatre yesterday. At times,
smooth as the waves that wash the river banks, at times, as agitated as
the torrent that hit the sea shores....they demonstrated both soothing
placidity and energetic vigour, with a fluidity that was as consumate as
it was awe inspiring.
