New York is a very happening place in America. It has this ability to showcase the finest in almost every sphere. This past week I was able to meet one of New York’s finest sons, Jonathan Hollander a globally acclaimed artistic director/ choreographer and dancer along with his magnificent Battery Dance troupe. The most immediate trait visible in Jonathan was his humility. He seemed very much at home in Colombo as this was his fourth visit to sunny paradise. We were joined by the amiable Joseph Schaller, Cultural Affairs Officer of the American Embassy.
Jonathan had an early start in music, beginning at the tender age of five. He learnt to play the piano, his beloved mother being an accomplished pianist. His father was an attorney. Jon soon realised that he had a strong connection not only to music but to the performing arts, which he adds has a deeper spiritual essence. He has been immensely involved in concerts for four decades, having travelled to sixty five countries. The dance company is based in Manhattan, New York.
I am joined by three other members of his group young Unath Hasan Rathnaraju from India, Stoian Razvan from Romania and radiant Robin Cantrell from the US who was very keen to see an elephant! The cultural mix within the team is one of the unique attributes of Battery Dance. Jonathan is convinced that the dancers who join him are led to be in his team, rather than simply joining by the customary audition.
Motivated
Hasan Rathnaraju is an expert in yoga and bharathanatyam. Presently reading for his PhD he tells me that the experience in NY has certainly motivated him. He also emphasizes the need within the Asian societies to encourage youth to pursue their dreams in art and related fields. He is absolutely correct in this revelation. Asian countries are full of parents who are so engrossed in pushing their children to achieve academic excellence that will yield bigger salaries.
These kids don’t have time to engage in other creative avenues of expression. Sri Lanka with its own rich heritage in music and dance once excelled in this realm, during the time of our glorious monarchs who were wise enough to build concert pavilions in their regal palaces.
It is they who envisaged and consistently encouraged dance related pageants, culminating in the grand temple perehara. The excited young Romanian dancer Razvan was deeply impressed with the feedback of local audiences from their previous night’s performance.
Jonathan Hollander points out that the name of the band Battery can relate to the energy one finds in a battery. The percussion section in an orchestra is also known by this name. He has successfully used his dance routines to promote various humane causes the most recent in Germany, when they performed to support refugees. Jon strongly believes that music and dance can connect people and reconcile misunderstandings.
Back in the US they have been performing at a dance festival since 1985, which they organize. The dance troupe can take pride in being a non- profit charity, as making money is not their priority. Jon happily recalls meeting the King of Cambodia at one of their concerts. The team has used dance as a tool of diplomacy. The passionate performers are now excited to visit South Korea early next year.
Performers
The team has worked together with our own local artistes including the brilliant Nadro group who excel in their pulsating drum beats. Jonathan also lavishes his praise and appreciates the good work done by Niloufer Pieris in setting up a dance school in Colombo.
Joseph Schaller of the US Embassy adds that they are very happy to bring in world class performers to Sri Lanka, and thereby give our young artistes a chance to learn and train with the best.
The scintillating moves of the Battery Dance company can be witnessed at a gala show on 12 December in Colombo at the Bishop’s College Auditorium.