Performing Arts: Embracing the rare

Pursuing a career in performing arts means hard work and passion. The younger generation has over the years shown a growing interest for dance, singing and music. However, an even greater number are reluctant to embark on this adventure for fear of not finding any job openings. The Head of School of Performing Arts at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Dr Putanjani Mungar Purgus, sheds light on this little known field and the pathway to success. Performing arts include disciplines such as music, dance and drama. Dr Purgus explains that this subject has a holistic approach and promotes the development of different domains of learning that is the cognitive, psychomotor and affective aspects. “This field has existed for a long time and it has progressed a lot. However, the formal teaching of Indian Music and Dance started with Mr and Mrs Nandkishore in 1964. They came to Mauritius with the aim of setting the first School of Indian Music and Dance. In 1970, the Indian government partnered with the Mauritian government to set up the MGI. The School of Performing Arts was established in MGI,” she reveals. Today, Indian music and dance are taught in nearly all secondary schools. At university level, there are BA and MA courses offered as well as PGCE courses. According to Dr Purgus, the younger generation has a growing interest in performing arts. “If it was not for this interest, parents would not have spent long hours for their children to finish classes. The trend we have observed is that girls prefer dance while boys opt for music.”

Benefits of learning performing arts

Dr Purgus argues that performing arts help students. “Performing arts boost concentration, self-confidence, and enhance team spirit given that students are trained in group-work. They become more extroverted. Besides, performing arts inculcate humility, respect and discipline. This field requires discipline. Students perform better in their studies and become better individuals,” she highlights.

Career wise

Some people are afraid to embrace a career in performing arts, as they believe this it is not a well developed field in Mauritius. However, Dr Purgus says the contrary exists and for her, it is a prosperous field. “There are prospects. People with a degree in performing arts are easily absorbed into the job market. There are more openings towards schools. Moreover, people with qualifications in performing arts can open their own school. So, it depends on what the person is willing to do. In the near future, there will be more openings,” she maintains. Dr Purgus encourages interested youngsters to step forward by joining a good institution to help them develop their talents. “I always ask young people to choose judiciously. It is not an easy path. You need to dedicate time for practice. It is very difficult to catch up when you miss something. One needs to acquire maximum knowledge. If you are dedicated to this subject then you will surely succeed,” she says. Dr Purgus believes that parents should encourage their children to study dance and music. “Even as a hobby, parents should allow their children learn music and dance. This will never distract children from their studies. In fact, they will perform better. It will help the child to spend time positively rather than doing futile things which will be detrimental. Music and dance should be taught from a young age,” she says.

About Dr Purgus

Dr Purgus, who is the Head of School of Performing Arts at the MGI, has a very interesting journey. She is one of the first Mauritian women to have obtained a PhD in dance. Her interest for dancing started at a very young age. She first learnt dancing from her sister Kumari Seetal, who was her first teacher. She used to perform for religious shows. “When the MGI started offering courses in music and dance in regional centres, I saw an opportunity to learn dance. I started to take formal trainings in Kathak at the Flacq Regional Centre. Since then, I never looked back.” After her HSC, she obtained a scholarship and went to India to study a Bachelor of Performing Arts in dance. There, she won two gold medals and obtained another scholarship for an MA in Dance. Again she topped her batch. Upon her return, she joined the MGI as a lecturer and started her PhD. Since then, she has started to climb the success ladder. Dr Purgus has performed in various countries including India, Reunion and China. Every year, she organises programmes to allow her students to showcase their talents. She has written research papers, most of which are published internationally. As she likes to keep updating herself, she has done an MBA and completed her LLB also.