Young Catholics Go From Bangladesh To India To Learn Liturgical Dance

oct 10, 2008

how christists are swiping hindu traditions and expropriating them.

and, surprise, surprise, the person in the forefront is (drum roll) yet another kerala christist: saju

thanks
rajeev

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shahryar

http://www.ucanews.com/2008/10/08/young-catholics-go-from-bangladesh-to-india-to-learn-liturgical-dance/   ASIA  Young Catholics Go From Bangladesh To India To Learn Liturgical Dance   by Julian S. Das   On 2008-10-8   KOLKATA, India (UCAN) -- Jhotan Sylvester Serao traveled on a bus from Dhaka to Kolkata for a dozen hours to fulfill his desire to learn liturgical dance.   "I have been dancing since my school days and taken part in many programs," the Dhaka-based World Vision worker admitted to UCA News, "but I never before learned how to dance formally."   Serao is one of 12 Bangladeshi Catholics aged 18-30 who came here on Sept. 25 to learn rudiments of dance so as to enliven liturgical worship back home.   Their two-week dance workshop is being run at the residence of Jesuit Father Saju George Moolanthuruthil in Kolkata, 1,460 kilometers southeast of New Delhi. The 43-year-old priest, popularly called Father Saju, has a master's degree in dance and is trained in Bharatanatyam dance.   Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form popular in southern India, grew out of a traditional temple dance based on Hindu epic stories. Father Saju uses it to depict Christian themes such as the Trinity, Mother Mary and the Risen Christ.   Serao said he came especially to learn how to use this dance form in liturgical celebrations when he returns to Bangladesh.   Other group members also spoke with UCA News about their interest in dance, as well as their faith. Trishna Rodriguez said her family encouraged her to attend the workshop. Her interest in dance, she said, began as a child and it "brought me to Kolkata to learn more about using dance in the liturgy."   According to the Bachelor of Arts student from Dhaka, people find it easy to understand the language of dance because it depicts life. She maintains that dance is "an effective means of communicating the message in liturgies."   Last March, Father Saju gave a one-day workshop on liturgical dance in Dhaka, and it perked the group's wish to learn more.   "We use dance in the liturgy," Serao said, "but we are not sure if what we do is liturgically correct."   In Serao's view, liturgy in Bangladesh could become more meaningful and relevant if Church leaders accept liturgical dance. The young enthusiast wants more avenues for Bangladeshi Catholic dancers to cultivate their talent and use it to serve the local Church.   Priyanka Russel, who plans a career in classical dance, added: "The themes and motifs of dance are universal. It is sure to ennoble Christian liturgy."   Jenny Gomes has found the workshop a new experience. "I've been learning dance all these years by myself, but now I am learning pure dance with a clear vision," she said. She added that her group aims to invite Father Saju to Bangladesh to teach liturgical dance to a larger group next year.   Kulandaivel Rajkumar, a Catholic resource person at the workshop, says that after the young Bangladeshis learn a model of sacred dance, they can improvise and adapt it to their situation. "They are sincere, hard-working and serious about dance," he told UCA News.   Rajkumar, who works as a choreographer at New Delhi-based National School of Dance, teaches classical dance theory for two hours a day at the workshop. The daily program begins at 6 a.m. with yoga, and ends with a practice at 9 p.m.   Father Saju said the workshop was designed to provide basic gestures, steps and mudra (symbolic finger positions) that the youths can use in the liturgy.   His hope, he said, is that the youths become a catalyst for using simple dance forms to enrich liturgy in Bangladesh.   "Ultimately, what we wish to achieve is to enhance our prayer and devotion in our liturgical celebrations, and dance can be one of the finest means in this effort."   END