Many industries have been severely affected by the pandemic however, the arts industry has suffered like no other. The arts industry brings us joy, preserves culture and has provided us with entertainment for centuries. It is something we definitely need in these dark times. But how will they recover from the pandemic and restore their art?
Leicester is home to many creatives, specifically dancers and some of the largest productions are put on yearly at The Curve and DE Montfort Hall in the city centre. Leicester has always been known to project and embrace the arts industry whether it be visually, physically or auditory. This article focuses on the dance industry, one where dancers have felt lost and alone during this time.
Anand Bhatt, Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer:
As an artistic director Anand Bhatt has had a lot of experience within the arts industry. He explains how he has been helping the arts industry during this time. Known for his role as executive producer for Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester, Anand has helped lead for Shiamak UK; programming the flagship Bollywood dance school across UK venues. He recently got appointed as Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Dance City. This is leading dance development agency in the North East of England.
Bhatt says: “COVID-19 when I first heard about it, and then experienced it, felt like a tsunami of disruption and cataclysmic health hazard.”
As the pandemic was unfolding, the Aakash Odedra Company were rehearsing a new show, Samsara, involving a Shanghai based dancer as a co-lead. With flight cancellations and travel bans, “there was great anxiety”, as performances had to be cancelled or postponed.
Helping the dance industry:
Many dancers, especially freelancers have been left in the dark. To help keep dance alive at Shiamak, classes were cancelled and moved to online streaming.
Bhatt says: “At Dance City, we are running a competition to have dance sessions delivered in your street, by people dancing just outside their door. This is great as it is in a live space.”
At the Aakash Odedra Company, in May the dance studio in Belgrave was open as a workspace for artists free of charge. This was a way to help artists work professionally when space is not accessible at home. Additionally, a Hardship fund was created for dance artists to help those who have struggled through lockdown. In these dark times alternative methods have been created to keep dance running in a safe way.
A financial crisis:
Bhatt says: “The organisations I work for have been hit very hard.” People always forget about the smaller aspects surrounding COVID-19; such as hiring to clean the studio between classes which can lead to more financial pressure. Not only this, theatres are also suffering, as it is uncertain whether they’ll be able to open anytime soon. This has to led to the Haymarket Theatre in Leicester to go into liquidation. This is also happening elsewhere in the UK. Anand explained that both organisations he is part of will “operate with a financial deficit this year.”
“Normality for the arts is a long way off.”
With restrictions being eased this will not drastically change the way in which the dance industry works. Despite the ongoing uncertainty Anand has hope because of how broad the world of the arts is. He says: “The arts are a haven for those who find their best languages is not a spoken one, and there are a lot of people like that. Whilst we do not have access to spaces in the same way, arts people are creative people, and they will find a way.”
“What is normal? I don’t know anymore. It doesn’t exist.”: Kesha Raithatha
Kesha Raithatha, freelance dancer and choreographer explained to me how it is coping during the dark times. This is from finding ways to be creative to balancing your mental health.
When lockdown was put in place, Kesha had to stop working on a project with Phoenix youth company, a production called “Khala Pani” (black waters), based on racism, which was a week away from being performed that was abruptly cancelled due to COVID-19. However, in the light of the BLM movement, Raithatha says: “it will hold so much more weight, post pandemic because of everything happening in the world.”
Dealing with the hardships:
From classes being cancelled to projects such as musicals taking place in London being on pause; for self-employed artists it is a difficult as content could not be created. Raithatha explained that initially she started strong, working and adapting to dancing in home, creating within her personal space. She also started teaching classes virtually in May for Aakash Odedra Young Company; teaching Kathak and contemporary dance and also is working for Shiamak as a guest instructor.
Staying relevant as an artist:
Despite this, Kesha says this time has taken her “right down to a dark hole.” Many dancers have used this time to share more on social media and experiment. However, within the dance community that has been a sense of loss, especially when some get opportunities and other don’t; it can be disheartening during these tough times.
There is in some sort a fight to stay relevant and known by the community. Raithatha says: “You can feel isolated and in this current climate it is hard to stay motivated.” She chooses not to post a lot because as a self-critical dancer she questions her art. However, she explained that work being put out is more “cathartic” as “there is a different sense of honesty”. Dancers have been innovative, setting up their own stage and lights and discovering themselves in new ways. Nevertheless, she says: “it is not without the struggle”.
Adaptability within the industry:
COVID-19 has been a time where artists have learnt to work in a new way. As restrictions begin to ease many artists are beginning to start new projects under the guidelines. Kesha Raithatha will be launching her idea of “visual busking”. This is a digital project with her collaborator to work with an audience in a more unique way, incorporating social distancing which will be displayed at Leicester’s “An Indian Summer” as a preview, with the full project released in October.
A lesson:
Raithatha metaphorically sums this experience up like being a teacher She says: “If you allow the time to teach yourself who you are, in relation to the world being upside down then it is a time of self-growth and community-growth. It has taught me my strengths physically and mentally and what I need to do to move forward.”
Shree Savani, BBC Young Dancer winner for the South Asian category and finalist has been experimental during this time:
For Shree Savani, Bharatanatyam dancer, lockdown prevented her from going on a rural dance tour. Additionally, a trip to Bangalore for five weeks of dance training was cancelled as cases were rising and there was a fear of being stuck in India if she were to travel.
The importance of not giving up:
Under these circumstances and the constant cancelations there is uncertainty surrounding when dancers will be able to perform again. It is very easy to want to stop and give up.
However, Shree says: “Dance is something we live off, we thrive off and as dancers we are generally adaptable and fluid people, and this is another stage.”
Nevertheless, switching to online platforms for dancers just isn’t the same due to the large adjustment, the lack of interaction between a teacher and a dancer, which is not “replicable” without face-to-face interaction.
Despite this, Shree says: “It has been amazing to see people trying new things, new styles, being creative with companies sharing and offering a lot of free things.”
We cannot forget those behind the scenes:
The government announced on the 5th of July, a £1.57 billion grant, as a support package to protect Britain’s cultural, arts and heritage institutions. This only came after many in the arts industry called out for help, signed petitions and campaigned for the government to fund the industry.
Savani says: “This is the livelihood of others, not just creators, it’s all people working in theatres, backstage, costume makers… they are all concrete slabs in the arts industry.” The industry has felt forgotten even though we depend on it daily. Although some may argue the same for other industries, support and guidance was needed from an earlier stage.
Moving forward:
During this time dancers have questioned how they will be able to unite in studios under the new guidelines. It has been a hit for the industry because to move forward so much will have to change in order to preserve the arts. For Shree, she is shooting a video, using drones, a small team and distancing to create their art. She has also learnt to film herself more dynamically for performances that are streamed, adjusting to angles that would work for an online audience.
Shree says: “It is heavy in my heart and head, with everything that has happened in the past few months to rush forward and forget. It does feel strange to be going back to something that is exciting for me personally and professionally after everything that has happened.”
Thinking positively in these dark times:
Overall, the last few months have been a difficult time for those in the dance industry. The pandemic has led to dancers to cope and adapt in a more virtual format and staying positive even well they feel under pressure to be productive. It has also been a time of enlightenment and for the industry to use their creative abilities in a new, unconventional way. It will be interesting to see the revival the arts, but this can only be done with the support of other industries.
