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| Mattia Ceccarelli (in blue) teaches a few dance steps to his Italian friend Giulia (grey T-shirt) and Sananda (in black T-shirt) a participant at the dance workshop of Italian Fridays in Bhubaneswar; Pictures by Ashwinee Pati |
What’s common between an Italian and an Odia? Both have twinkle toes! But there is a world of difference between Tarantella and Odissi, the calling cards of two vastly different cultures. All set to bridge this culture gap is Mattia Ceccarelli, a young dance enthusiast from Italy, who is part of a six-member volunteer group, which is currently in Bhubaneswar for a year. Mattia has been drawing girls in hordes to the Italian Fridays’ dance workshop at the Bakul Foundation. He proclaimed his love for Odissi in a chat with t2
You had come to Odisha earlier for the Konark dance festival. How was the experience?
I had the experience of a lifetime, witnessing India’s diverse culture at its best. Of all the classical dances, I found Odissi the most graceful. It was more fascinating for I had seen the same dance postures carved on Odisha’s temples. It was as if the stone sculptures had come to life.
How did you first come to know about Odissi?
When I first came to India in 2002, I stayed with a Bengali family in Calcutta. Their little girl was learning Odissi. That’s how I was introduced to the dance form. I used to go for many Odissi shows held there. But I always wanted to visit the place where it originated. I finally got that opportunity in 2007 when I attended the Konark dance festival.
Would you like to learn Odissi during your yearlong stay here?
I would love to, but it won’t be easy. Since we are volunteering at three different places in Bhubaneswar, I wouldn’t be able to devote quality time to Odissi. And doing something half-heartedly is not my nature.
Most dances of Odisha, be it Odissi or Mahari or Gotipua, have a religious touch to them. Does Italy have similar dance forms?
There are a few ecstatic dances, which might have been related to the Church, but over the years, they have lost that ‘holy’ connection. Some dance styles of Sardinia do have a ritualistic streak. But, Italian dances are mostly non-serious, for fun. Sadly, our traditional and folk dances have been lost over the time, as the younger generation no longer relates to it
So how did you learn the Italian folk dances that you are teaching here?
Three years ago, I was touring Paris with my friends and enrolled at a workshop where they were offering traditional Italian dance courses. Fifty per cent I learnt there and another 50 per cent I have grasped from watching the elders dance at carnivals, festivals and other special occasions.
How would you equate Italy’s art and culture scenario with Odisha’s?
If you come to Italy, you would see architectural marvels, paintings and sculptures over 100 years old, but nothing from the present times. We use our art and culture just to promote tourism, but the truth is that we have left a culturally vibrant Italy behind. I don’t know how the cultural scene in Odisha has changed over the years, but I can say it is a great tourist destination. Its beautiful temples, spiritual atmosphere, dance, pattachitra and appliqué work are amazing.
Did you think coming to Odisha would be a safe after the Maoists abducted two Italians earlier this year?
That incident delayed our Visa approval by two months. But I wasn’t scared, because I was coming here for volunteering, a good cause. Moreover, I didn’t think they would kidnap another Italian in such a short gap! (laughs)
What do you feel about the fact that Italian-born Sonia Gandhi heads one of the biggest political parties in India?
I didn’t even know she was an Italian until I came to India. My parents told me how she married an Indian guy and moved here. But I have never heard her speak in her mother tongue or visit her homeland in recent years.
What about Italy do you miss the most here?
The change of seasons. Here, it is hot all the time, which is why I shaved off my head. The climate in Bhubaneswar, though, is much better than in Delhi or Calcutta.
You are a student of languages. How much Odia have you picked up in your one-and-half-month stay here?
Kana kahibi? Mo naama Mattia. Mun Bhubaneswar re rahuchi. (What should I say? My name is Mattia. I am staying in Bhubaneswar). I know a bit of Hindi too. I opted for it in college as an excuse to learn more about Indian history and culture.
Shilpi Sampad