Originally posted by: Samanalyse
Woah, that is a controversial discussion that you have started. But I like it and I think it is an interesting question.
To be honest, I think the problem is much, much bigger than Isha's participation on the show and her clear advantage over the other contestants. The truth of the matter is that Isha is much more qualified to be a judge than Karan Johar, or even Madhuri because she actually knows dance, she has studied it and if you'll forgive me the cliche, she has lived it. So what is she doing as a contestant on a show where she is not even really competing (considering she is at a completely different level than all the other contestants)?
I am a classical dancer and I also study India's dance history, so I know of Isha, and of her mother Daksha Seth and let me tell you, they are huge names on the contemporary dance scene. Her mother is one of the front runners of contemporary dance in India. But the problem is, that these people get no exposure in the mainstream. What you see from Isha on the show is the tip of the iceberg but alas, nobody knows of her her full length performances so she has to come on a glitzy dance reality show, "compete" with people who are just learning the ABCs of professional dancing and do 3 minute acts to make herself and her art known. In fact, most dancers of her calibre would probably say that Isha is selling herself short by being on a show like this. But what to do? Artists need their daily bread and Isha is taking this chance to both give people a glimpse of the talent present in this country and make some good money; I cannot fault her for it one bit.
Isha is amazing technically, yes, but again she is just one of the amazing dancers in this country. This is why I find it unfair to really compare her with the other contestants and frankly pretty insulting that she is being judged by the likes of Karan Johar who has no clue what he is talking about. But such is the fate of the arts in our country, where a director who knows nothing about dance, and an actress who was naturally talented at dancing, alongside her acting, are judging a professional dancer who has dedicated her life to dance. You tell me if that is fair.
Finally, Remo's comment that Isha's performances look "international" made me change the channel out of sheer rage and frustration. Yes, Remo, if talented and dedicated dancers in India were given the support to do nothing but dance, and if they were given funding to realise their vision, it would indeed look "international."
This show has been an eye-opener for me in terms of how the general public looks at dance in this country and I have to say I am appalled that everyone is so surprised at how good Isha is, considering how well known she is in the dance field and how many I have seen just as talented as her, but also happy that she is at least exposing the kind of talent that exists. There are lots of Ishas out there and if we would only take a moment to understand and respect the richness of the art that exists in our country, we wouldn't be so excited when something looked "international."
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Bigg Boss 19
