However, with greater leisure and discretionary income, the performing arts have become more popular, particularly with the widespread growth of television and radio. As a result, many are now pursuing careers in this field. There are three major categories of performing artists--musicians, dancers and dramatists.

Music can be vocal or instrumental, involving a single individual or a group. Singers sing alone or in a group with or withoutmusical accompaniments. Instrumental artists, too, perform individually or with an orchestra. There are various instruments such as veena, sarod, tabla, sarangi, santoor, shehnai, guitar and piano, which are played by such artists.

In addition to the performing musician, there are orchestra and music directors who direct an orchestra, chorus or musical performance, and music composers who create and write the songs or musical score to be played or sung.

The dancer performs solo or in duet or in a group for a particular style of dancing such as Odissi, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali or even folk or modern dance. The choreographer designs and composes dance sequences and coordinates the stage settings, music, costumes and supervises rehearsals. Often, there are musicians who accompany the dance performance.

The playwright writes the original story for the play or drama, or adapts one from a different source. The director interprets the drama to be enacted, directs each role and selects suitableactors or actresses for performing these roles. Actors and actresses portray the characters of the story being performed so that the portrayal appears real. The producer selects the theme and is responsible for obtaining and arranging the finances and budgeting of the various departments.

Entry

To enter any one of the fields of performing arts, what is vitally important, is some amount of inborn talent. In most cases, talent is recognised at a very young age and nurtured through the years. Those who are exceptionally good and wish to make a career in this field should go on to obtain professional guidance and training.

Training in these fields is now provided by a large number of schools and institutions. Music training is imparted by many schools, colleges and institutions. Some dedicated musicians have also been training interested persons who wish to pursue this art. Examinations for these courses are conducted at the certificate, degree and diploma level. Those who enter this field mustpossess intrinsic talent, the creative ability to develop new compositions, and the confidence to handle performances.

Kalakshetra in Chennai offers a five-year diploma in music. The Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi offers a three-year diploma and a two-year post-graduate diploma in music.

Dancers must possess a fundamental knowledge of music, physical stamina and sound health to pursue a dancing career. Dance training is offered as a subject at the school and college level. Certain colleges and institutions, and private academies run by leading dancers also hold classes and offer recognised courses and training in dancing. The Kathak Kendra in Delhi offers a five-year foundation course and also a three-year diploma course in Kathak. Post-diploma and refresher courses are also offered.

The Kalakshetra in Chennai offers a four-year diploma in Bharatanatyam. Institutions such as the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and the Bharatiya Kala Kendra offer courses in Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Kathak.

A large number ofkendras such as the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra and the Yamini Khrishnamurthy School of Dance offer a three-year diploma course in dance. There are also several colleges in almost all states that offer music and dance as graduate level study programmes, where the training is geared more towards the theoretical study of the subject and training of teachers in this field.

For those who are interested in dramatics, training is imparted by some institutions and drama companies. The National School of Drama, New Delhi, offers a three-year diploma course in acting and play design. Candidates should be graduates in any discipline and should have acted in plays at the school or college level. The diploma is equivalent to an MA and those who wish to do a Ph D can do so after having completed the diploma. The Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta, also offers a three-year Master's course in drama.

Career prospects

Many dancers, composers and musicians are employed by academies, kala kendras, Doordarshan,All India Radio and teaching institutions. Employment opportunities to drama artists are provided by professional theatrical and opera companies and semi-theatrical institutions such as AIR, television studies, movie studios, films division, song and drama division etc.

Several corporate houses and private institutions sponsor performances of musicians and dancers, thereby promoting culture as well as their products. There are also many opportunities for self-employment in the form of freelance writing of books on the performing arts and holding private classes at home.

Most professional dancers, singers and musicians teach and give performances. Thus in their case the success in their careers depends upon their expertise in the field.

The writer is the author of Penguin India Career Guide, Vol I & II. She is also a newsreader on Doordarshan and producer of Hum Honge Kamyaab.