IGNITE FESTIVAL, DELHI: DAY 1 - ARRIVAL

[Vikram Iyengar - Artistic Director of Ranan - writes a daily update on the Ignite Festival of Contemporary dance, Delhi]

ARRIVING AT IGNITE: 10 November 2010


I landed at Delhi just past 9am and – with Paromita Saha of Sapphire Creations Dance Workshop, who had wisely pre-booked a taxi – navigated through terrible airport traffic to arrive at the Ignite Festival Hub at Max Mueller Bhavan, Kasturba Gandhi Marg. I have a soft spot for MMB’s: the Calcutta one has always welcomed me in for as long as I can remember, and the atmosphere of openness, at-home-ness and come-and-make-yourself-comfortable-ness has been no different at MMB Bangalore and Delhi the few times I have visited them. And if the atmosphere at the Hub is anything to go by, they have obviously welcomed Ignite and Gati as their own with open arms.

Walking in through a polite and completely non-intrusive security, we came upon the lawn and café space at the back of the white bungalow that is MMB, Delhi, flanked on the far side by the glassed in Library. It was as if I was walking into a college canteen – so many young people chatting at the tables, enjoying the café fare. And on the lawn preparations for Ignite: a bamboo structure with oversized wind chimes, a reception table set up with laptops, the Ignite team – Anusha, Mandeep, Ewa, Harriet, Abanti – all overseeing things and, simultaneously drawing fresh arrivals effortlessly into the spirit of things. AND takhats with thick gaddas being laid out covered with black spreads and seasoned with plump red cushions. One couldn’t imagine a more generous and clear invitation to let your hair down, relax, enjoy, imbibe, eat drink, chat, exchange, discuss, debate… already I feel the vibe of the festival. It’s young at heart, it’s accessible, it’s approachable, it’s varied – and though we’ve barely stepped into it – it’s organised! When was I last at a dance event in this country which brought together all this with the quintessential air of a mela? Probably never!