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This coming weekend – Saturday, October 17, 2015 – the Indian Dance Educator’s Association (IDEA) of the Washington DC metro area is presenting the Folk Dance Festival of India at the Wolf Trap – Barns. To get more information about this performance, we had the privilege of interviewing Purvi Bhatt, the chairperson of IDEA, who was kind enough to share more about this upcoming performance.
Since IDEA is an organization that is dedicated to promoting classical styles of Indian dance, why present a folk dance festival (instead of a classical dance festival)?
One of IDEA’s major goals is to bring a greater awareness of Indian classical and traditional dance to America’s great cultural tapestry. India is the most diverse country in the world in terms of language, religion, dance, music, architecture, food, and customs that differ from place to place within the country. By showcasing folk dances of India, IDEA is trying to bring awareness and educate mainstream audiences of India’s diversity and rich cultural heritage.
Tell me more about IDEA’s recent partnership with Wolf Trap and how Wolf Trap is supporting this festival.
IDEA is a first Indian dance organization in the DC area to partner with the Wolf Trap Foundation. The partnership started in 2014, marking the occasion with “An Evening of Indian Dance”, which was part of IDEA’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations. IDEA is honored to support Wolf Trap’s mission to present and create excellent and innovative performing arts programs for diverse audiences. We are proud to join hands one more time this year with such a prestigious institution, whose support and cooperation are remarkable.
What makes the upcoming folk dance festival this weekend unique?
What makes it unique is that we have 14 folk dances from 14 different states of India, with more than 80 performers from 12 Indian dance schools of the DC area, all on one stage in a nonstop 90-minute presentation.
Lastly, what is the best part about being a dancer?
Being an Indian classical dancer for more than 20 years has taught me 3 “D”s – Dedication, Discipline, and Determination. It has changed my approach towards life and instilled tons of positivity in me. Dance is a true expression of your body. One needs to feel it, in order to do it. As Howard Thurston once said,
“You can fool the eyes and minds of the audience but not their hearts.”
We wish IDEA all the best with their upcoming Folk Dance Festival of India at Wolf Trap Barns this Saturday, October 17th, at 7:30pm. Visit the Wolf Trap website for tickets.
