Dance is a celebration of life. It is also an expression of cultural identity. And a country as wide and diverse as India is the birthplace of thousands of dance forms, of which very few are recognised and practised. Therefore, the death of a dance form, is nothing new or infrequent in the country. The only memories or traces of such dances are found in old photographs, or as an odd mention in a book or article, or in stories specific to a community or a region.
The idea of documentation — the kind that will keep such elements of culture alive in collective memory — is what inspired two Tanyas to start Bhuli. Tanya Kotnala, a fashion designer, and Tanya Singh, a nutritionist, are united in their passion to explore local art, culture and gastronomy. Their focus pans the length and breadth of India, though Uttarakhand, where they both are from, holds a special place in their heart.
Born this year, Bhuli (which stands for ‘little sister’ in Garhwali) is an enterprise that also raises awareness of social issues such as maternal and child health. Their latest project is a calendar made from a series of illustrations that explores 12 lesser-known dances.
Bhuli is a social enterprise by Tanya Kotnala and Tanya Singh