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Date : 04/12/2004
Source: Ministry of Communications
Title: Padayachie: 12th Annual Classical Dance Display


Address by the Deputy Minister of Communications, Mr. R.L. (Roy) Padayachie, at the occasion of the 12th Annual Classical Dance Display - Sharata Natyam

Religious Leaders Present
Local Councillors
Parents, Family Members, Friends and Well-wishers
Students of KSDI
Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am greatly honoured to have been invited to address you today: This is a very very special occasion when we have all come together to celebrate this 12th Annual Bharatha Natyam Dance Display.

Bharatha Natyam is a centuries old art form dating back to 500 BC, whose message is not merely to the senses but to the soul of the dancer and the perceiver. Due to this, we can comprehend that Bharatha Natyam is an art that conveys spiritual expression and spiritual values. In ancient times, young dancers were dedicated to temples of the God. They were called devadasis or servants of the God. The temples were not only places of communication between man and God, they were also strongholds of the Arts.

What is the importance of seeking spiritual expression and spiritual values? We are all people of the earth, connected to each other by our mutual humanity. We know we must one day return to the “base source” from which all humanity derives. Therefore we, all of us as humanity, must incorporate into our daily lives those basic values that help us to connect with one another, irrespective of our natural differences and our cultures. Hence, the Bharatha Natyam is important for helping us realise just how essential it is to develop these spiritual values. Perhaps, the most important aspect must be the ability to extend honour and respect to all.

As a representative of the people within Government, let us remind ourselves of the fact that this 12th celebration takes place when we as a country are celebrating 10 Years of Democracy. Hence it is so exciting that this celebration today should take on a special significance for all of us. Ten years ago, millions of South Africans turned out to vote for the first time in our first democratic elections. We put in place a government that set out to create a democratic society based on equality, non-racialism and non-sexism. New policies and programmes have been put in place, to improve the quality of life of all the people.

The changes in our lives have been dramatic to say the least. There are great differences in our lives, as experienced in the apartheid state and our democratic state of today. The state has become “people - centred” providing access to services and better service delivery being important points of focus.

Government’s economic policies have turned around an economy that was in crisis. Since 1994, we have steadily increased the capacity to create jobs, although the challenge still remains, since it is a right for each and every person to have a job. It is; however, correct to say that we are seeing a substantial growth and an expansion in economic opportunities.

On the international front, we are taking our rightful place and we are increasingly being recognised as a respected global player. Note the peacekeeping efforts of our President and Deputy President in parts of Africa.

The lives of millions of our people have been changed. This is a cause for celebration. This is a good cause for us, indeed, to cheer our 10 Years of Democracy.

Returning to our theme for this evening - the 12th Annual Classical Dance Display - Let me begin by congratulating all the young people who are here today. You have come from far afield in KwaZulu- Natal, demonstrating the passion and commitment that you all have for this art form. Please know that the country is proud of you. We are thrilled by the achievement that you have made. We know what the results of this training will be in terms of your personal development. The country needs young men and women like yourselves who will have the spirit to embrace others and point them along the level where they too can grow and be encouraged to take their place in developing the country. Earlier on we said that the Bharatha Natyam dancers in the temples were servants of God. You too are servants of God and your country.

I have known Krish Swamivel for many years. Krish, I have always admired your vision for building the spiritual fibre of our young people through dance. In the days before freedom, Krish worked very closely with people like Steve Biko when at the BPC conventions, on realising that the was very little or no expression of Indian culture, took it upon himself to introduce elements of the eastern culture in these gatherings. Once they organised a passion play where Christ was a person of colour. All these initiatives towards cultural expression indicated very clearly that Krish Swamivel is not one of those people who is happy merely to see things happen. He is a man who is happy to make things happen!

When we talk about Culture we are referring to the collective way in which we respond, react to situations, and process our realities as they are found in our individual and in our community lives. Culture is important because it plays a role in defining who we are, what we do and how we do it. Dance is one of the tools by which we reclaim and remember all the parts of who we are.

Dancing is a method for personal empowerment and soul retrieval work that is used consciously or subconsciously by all societies. When we dance “we touch our essence and we experience the unity between spirit and matter”. It is that unity that Bharatha Natyam celebrates.

As Government, we recognise the tremendous impact that cultural awareness creates in the psyche of the people in the country. When we can appreciate and respect our differences and at the same time embrace each other in our diversity then we will have gone a long way in building a new South Africa that we all can be proud of. My Department, the Department of Communications has already taken very decisive and clear steps towards the enhancement of cultural values. Our Broadcasting Policy which has been expressed through the Broadcasting Act of 1999 and as amended in 2002 informs the system of broadcasting in South Africa. An expressed condition or goal expected of the service is the provisioning of programming in the official languages in the country in order to meet the content and language needs of the different communities.

Government has therefore decided that the most efficient and effective way of meeting this objective is by introducing the concept of regional broadcast stations. These regional broadcast services will have 80% of their programming covering regional issues.

Why am I mentioning these developments at a function like this?

This is because I can see in my mind’s eye, the potential that the Bharatha Natyam programme has for national cultural development. One thing, this programme has not been confined to children of Eastern or Indian origin only. It warms my heart to see children from other racial groups taking part.

The formation of this programme therefore challenges us to respond and to do so at two important levels. If at this micro-level, Krish is successful in getting children from all over KwaZulu-Natal participating in this way, what stops us from transforming this programme into a national programme of action for children from all cultural groups?

The second challenge we have is that of hosting this art form on the SABC. We could very easily expand Eastern Mosaic or Spirit Sundae or even Imizwilili to include this spiritual exercise as part of holistic programming.

Finally, I thank you all for the privilege of being part of these celebrations. I have a great hope that we will see this wonderful initiative grow from strength to strength.

Congratulations Children!

Congratulations Krish Swamivel!

Issued by: Ministry of Communications
4 December 2004

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