CHANDIGARH, MAY 18: For the last two years, Banga Bhawan has been resounding with the rhythmic `taal' of dancing feet. For it saw workshops conducted regularly by the city's ace Bharatanatyam danseuse Suchitra Mitra. And the feet that danced varied around forty, while the students came from many towns of Punjab besides the city's own. This motley group aged between eight and 18 worked hard to learn the intricacies of Tamil Nadu's dance form in the summer heat of Chandigarh.Suchitra told Newsline that she started these workshops three years back when she came to the city. "When I came to Chandigarh I found that the city had very few classical dance schools so I decided to start my dance classes to promote classical dance in the city, and to shift the youth from the disco floor to the classical stage."Every year the number of students has increased and they comprise both school-going children and college students. Talking about this form of classical dance she said, "The dance is not confined only to girls, even boys are keen to learn though their number is less.""As far as a proper institute for Bharatnatyam is concerned I don't think it will be an easy affair as opening an institute requires a lot of administration, manpower and money," sighed Suchitra, hoping that she would get a classical dance-loving sponsor for the institute. Meanwhile, this year's workshop has been delayed due to the ongoing examinations.
