Madhu on herself…
Madhu is the Natya Stem Dance Kampni’s Director and Choreographer. A graduate of commerce, journalism and choreography, she has trained in Kathak from her mother Dr Maya Rao and from Smt. Chitra Venugopal. Although she trained in contemporary dance in New York, she came back to India to create a unique 'contemporary Indian dance' vocabulary where tradition and modernity co-exist. As a Kathak and contemporary dancer, and panellist at important design and academic institutions, she has been invited on many occasions to perform, design programmes and choreographic works for prestigious cultural organisations in India, UK, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, South East Asia, Europe and USA. Madhu was chosen as one of India’s young achievers by the magazine India Today.
My first contact with the Goethe-Institut…
The first interaction was in1997 during Dr Bartsch’s term. We met through the India Foundation for the Arts and I helped out dance therapist Angela Boeti, Max Mueller Bhavan’s (MMB) guest artiste to meet academic centres in Bangalore. After which I was invited to show my work to Sasha Waltz. And as an invitee for Anne Marie Hertel’s dance film programme.
My first impressions…
Efficiency and a keenness to collaborate is what struck me the most. Also the fact that the MMB directors always seek out the artistes and potential collaborators rather than stand on formality.
What makes the Goethe-Institut special…
In 1998 at Dr Rudolf Bartsch’s behest, I created a choreographic work – Yugma - in commemoration of Brecht’s 100th year. I was guided, given access to the library and funded for the project in a very non-intrusive manner.
Again in 2009, Dr Evelin Hust asked the Kampni to create a site-specific work for the new Library. The resultant choreographic work titled split in solitude brought together aspects of the architectural space, German literature, multimedia, original photo art and movement. Evelin and the staff at MMB meticulously followed the ideation and production process and also all the follow-up post the performance was very prompt. In a nutshell, the organisational unity and integrity in every interaction, to me forms the crux of the Goethe-Institut in Bengaluru. This kind of efficiency coupled with enthusiasm is what makes the Institute unique.
My thoughts on international cultural cooperation. My expectations for the next 50 years of Goethe in India…
I strongly believe that the arts cannot exist in isolation. I see Dance as an important catalyst that integrates diverse areas of specialisation. I believe in the magical connection between dance and creativity and that the possibilities are endless. Cultural collaborations and interpolations play an important role in the evolution of the arts scenario. Organisations such as Goethe are storehouses of knowledge, expertise, goodwill and resources. When they promote, commission or integrate other organisations or individuals on collaborative projects, that space becomes a fertile, generative platform for the sustainability and continuity of artistic excellence.
