What is contemporary dance? With Ashley Lobo

Audiogyan

Ashley Lobo joins us on Audiogyan to share his philosophical thoughts and connect the dots of the western world to India's spirituality through dance. Mark Twain once said, “Work like you don't need the money. Dance like no one is watching. And love like you've never been hurt.” Seems like Mark Twain knew one of the secrets of Bhagwad Gita. Do things without any expectations. To explore these philosophical thoughts and connect the dots of the western world to India's spirituality through dance, I have Ashley Lobo with us Audiogyan. He needs no introduction for people in the field of performing arts. But for those who don't know, Ashley is considered to be a spearhead of international dance in India. His career in performing arts comprises of over 35 years of performing, choreographing, and teaching - in India and overseas.

Questions

1. Is dance creation, invention, or discovery? Why dance is considered so divine art form? Did Dance start as a solo activity or a group?
2. You engage with Jazz, Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Urban, and Funk. What is your overall process of reconciling age-old traditions of yoga with contemporary dance movements? Can you also talk about the Prana Paint technique?
3. "Prana Paint" for me is an indicator of a person going deep enough to understand spirituality and philosophy. Can you talk about Dance as a means of self-help? All throughout since this art form existed to the current times of social fragmentation, stress, and most important, anxiety.
4. In one of your articles published in 2017 during your Agni production through Navdhara India Dance Theatre (NIDT), you mentioned "Passion can create or destroy. In creating we destroy. And in destroying we create." - Can you elaborate on that, please? I am interested in knowing what got destroyed as we kept evolving dance as an art form / as a practice.
5. What is the long term future of dance form? From the world view of Online, Social distancing norms to group dances, couples dancing to know each other or a solo performer the only person in Auditorium. What are your thoughts and views?