Natya Vriksha- Pedagogy

Through dance, at Natya Vriksha, Geeta makes students comprehend the complex inter-linkages between the classical dance tradition and its strict grammar with other disciplines: Philosophy, Ritual, Religion, Myths, Ancient texts, Poetry, Literature, Art (Painting and Sculpture), Cultural Studies, Yoga, Handicrafts & Handlooms and Beauty & Aesthetics with the aim of developing holistic dancers.

Towards this end, at Natya Vriksha, Geeta has evolved a holistic method of transmitting classical dance; her approach encompasses training students both in dance (theory and practice) and dance aesthetics.  They are also made aware of the related fields of music, aharya (costuming & make-up), stage design and sound & light technologies with interested students being encouraged to follow these fields.

Geeta uses her own teachers’ lessons when it comes to the teaching of dance, with the Guru Shishya Parampara as the central tenet and the practice of customising dance learning for different bodies, abilities and interests.

Her methodology is also grounded in making students proud of their bodies, to enjoy the wonderment as the physical body is pushed to its maximum potential, with emphasis placed on the practice of yoga and asanas, particularly in the early formative years of a student’s life to prepare them for the long journey ahead.

Professionalism is also an important aspect of learning at NV, in learning as well as performing. Discipline in practicing, a sense of commitment, punctuality and regularity are inculcated from a young age.

An important aspect of the pedagogy at Natya Vriksha, is that it itself is constantly unlearning and learning and adding aspects and information that are in current knowledge. The pedagogy has changed with time, with what is learnt from students, dance experts, physiotherapists, doctors, trainers and other sources to fit the realities and demands of today’s students.

With all these aspects, and with the immense investment of Geeta in her students, learning dance at Natya Vriksha is not seen as an extracurricular or hobby class. Students are expected to take dance, along with school, college or work life concurrently, with multi-tasking with quality being a consistent requirement across all their activities, throughout their journey. Expectations from students, and indeed their families, is that there is commitment and passion to stay the course of this exciting, but oftentimes challenging journey with the goal being the development of a holistic artist and not just a tick in a cv checkbox.