![]() Some horses will simply skip to the end to be done sooner. They will learn a choreographic sequence and then begin anticipating. ICONS: What kinds of challenges do you face in choreographing with horses? Working with horses calls upon all of these skills simultaneously! The dancer is sensing the animal while attending to the choreographic trajectory, and making adjustments in the moment to maintain the connection to the animal. JMS: Yes, it is about moving expressively with spatial awareness, sensing movement texture, marshalling strength, and thinking strategically. ICONS: In summary, it seems that at the heart of your work there is merging of sensing and thinking. Physical Listening is a constant checking in, a noticing of how our movement is affecting our equine partner. For example, working with a curious, dominant horse requires a different kind of leadership than working with a submissive, fearful animal. Different equine personalities call for dramatically different handling. The Physical Listening practice also includes strategic thinking. We work with a modulating sense of touch, and we practice moving deftly between forcefulness and gentleness. We explore movement through an inter-species lens, shaping space between bodies to negotiate alpha status, much the same as horses move with each other in a herd. This led us to the development of an extensive Physical Listening practice. Therefore, in order to practice our horsemanship skills, we had to formulate in the dance studio a physical context that emphasized the skills we needed to move with a horse, a 1200-pound creature of flight. With each project, we work with the local community of equestrians and their horses. JMS: First, let me clarify that our dance company does not own the horses. ICONS: What is Physical Listening, and can you tell us more about it? Eventually, I developed a new constellation of skill sets, which I called Physical Listening. The dancers were able to create a kinetic dialogue with their equine partners by transforming their movement to match another sentient mover. I thought it would be interesting to bring dancers and horses together on this beautiful college campus.ĭuring the creation process, I was fascinated with the dancers’ intuitive ability to communicate with the horses. Mount Holyoke has an excellent dance program and equestrian team. JoAnna Mendl Shaw: In 1998, I was invited by the Dance Department at Mount Holyoke College to create a site-specific performance for the 20th Anniversary of the Five College Dance Department. Eighteen years later, she continues exploring diverse approaches to working with her non-conventional dance partners and implementing newly gained skills in her inter-species choreography.ĭance ICONS: How did you begin this work? I try to balance everything in my life.JoAnna Mendl Shaw founded The Equus Projects in 1999, a company that pairs dancers with horses for site-specific works created for rural and sometimes urban landscapes. Speaking on balancing, dancing and acting in a Hindi serials Suhani says, “I make it a point to maintain my fitness and ensure that I rehearse 30 minutes each day. But yes, our youth need to be more aware of our classical heritage.” I feel proud to see a generation of young dancers who are enthusiastic about their culture. However, Indian classical dance is like nectar, which will take years to find but it’s effect is eternal. “Like my Guruji always tells us, you may enjoy other forms of dance like shots, as they give you an instant kick. ![]() However, it also always makes me extremely nervous because her energy is unparalleled!” What do you have to say about the future of classical dance in india? Dancing with her will always be the greatest joy and privilege for me. She adds, “I fell in love with Bharatanatyam the day I saw my Guruji dance. Suhani recently performed with her Guruji. I will forever be grateful for her teachings.” Apart from dance, I have learnt discipline, spirituality, Sanskrit and moral values. Suhani Dhanki Mody- I fell in love with Bharatanatyam the day I saw my Guruji dance.Īctress Suhani Dhanki Mody is a talented classical dancer, she has performed in 400 shows in the last decade. ![]()
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