Amit Kumar Dixit on revival of popular folk drama Nautanki

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award holder Amit Kumar Dixit conceptualised a dance drama which marked the beginning of the Taj Mahotsav on Tuesday. In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, he talked about the dying art form of Nautanki and shared how he is trying to revive the art.

Agra: A large number of Indian and foreign tourists have joined in the 10-day-long Taj Mahotsav festival which commenced on February 18 in the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

Taj Mahotsav is a platform where legendary artists from different parts of the country get an opportunity to display their exquisite works of art. Apart from the exquisite craftwork, one can also experience the majestic and magnetic performances by artists from every walks of life.

ETV Bharat had an opportunity to talk to Amit Kumar Dixit, a resident of Lucknow, who is a Nautanki artist, singer, writer, and director.

‘Siyaram Param Dham’ – marked the beginning of the Taj Mahotsav on Tuesday.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award holder's dance drama based on Lord Ram – ‘Siyaram Param Dham’ – marked the beginning of the Taj Mahotsav on Tuesday.

Amit Kumar Dixit talked about his conceptualised drama and told ETV Bharat, "Siyaram Param Dham is a drama which has the elements of Sangeet (music), Nritya (dance), Gayan (singing) and Abhinay (acting). All these elements should be present in a Natak performance as described by Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra.

"I have merged Nautanki, a popular folk drama, and Kathak, a classical dance form from UP, in this dance drama as experimentation. I believe, in order to avoid boredom, such art forms should be transformed and remodelled from time to time," said Dixit.

He also pointed out that Siyaram Param Dham has been told from the perspective of Narada Muni- a Vedic sage famous in Hindu traditions who carries news and wisdom, who has not been mentioned in Ramayana.

Commenting on the dying art, Dixit said, "If we keep on presenting the same act on a repetitive basis it will become monotonous for the audience. I believe this art form started losing its charm when people brought obscenity in it. Personally, I have tried to revive this dying art form by bringing new elements wherever and whenever required."

"I wish that this art form should be viewed and appreciated by the elite and educated class of the society," remarked Dixit.

Amit Kumar Dixit has worked in several TV serials and government projects. In his recent work- Yahan Sabhi Gyani Hain which is a satirical movie, he has worked both as a narrator and an actor.