25th October 2024, National: Renowned fashion designer Gaurang Shah and celebrated Indian classical dancer Yamini Reddy discussed their experiences conserving and advancing India’s rich cultural history in dance and textiles at the second edition of ABP Network’s The Southern Rising Summit 2024.
Gaurang Shah discussed his journey from saree fan to designer and weaver in a session titled “Weaving a New Story: Updating Textile Traditions.” “People today want something original, something that represents our tradition,” Shah said, expressing his dedication to genuine Indian textiles. He discussed his strategy for striking a balance between innovation and legacy by fusing ancient methods with modern designs.
“Our looms are part of our heritage,” Shah said, expressing pride in Indian textiles and debunking misconceptions about their longevity. We don’t need to imitate the West because our fabrics are rich and adaptable. Because handwoven cloth is created by hand rather than by machine, it lasts longer.
The designer also emphasized the enormous possibilities for textile innovation in South India. He said, “This area is ideal for spearheading the development of our textile traditions because it is abundant in diversity, inventiveness, and creativity.”
In the following session titled “Sringara Rasa: Separation and Union,” three-time National Awardee Yamini Reddy, a celebrated Kuchipudi dancer, described dance as “meditation in movement.”
When asked about the importance of innovation within traditional dance, Reddy remarked, “As artists, we strive to bring our own flavor to the table. It’s our responsibility to preserve the heritage, but innovation is key to keeping it alive.”
With her students demonstrating the nuances of Kuchipudi, Reddy illustrated the intricacies of this pure dance form, stating, “The dance has its own language.” Regarding her approach to making Indian classical dance relevant for younger generations, she emphasized, “We need to connect the art form to the current generation by explaining its rich history and cultural context. I want them to see how timeless Kuchipudi truly is.”
The Southern Rising Summit 2024, hosted by ABP Network, India’s premier multi-language news platform, was conceptualized as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India. In its second edition, this transformative summit convened on the theme “Coming of Age: Identity, Inspiration, Impact”, with the leading voices from politics, culture, and industry converging to celebrate South India’s remarkable journey and its influential role in driving economic growth and cultural innovation across the nation.
