When teachers are not valued

Even if you, somehow, manage to get good teachers, family and their “societal expectations” are yet another obstacle to overcome. If your relatives learn that you are going to study law or medicine at university level, they will turn to their own kids and say, “To trouv to cousin, line appran, li pe al fer la loi pou vine avocat” but if they learn that you are opting to pursue arts, your big, fat aunt will march down to your door with her pompous air of superiority and look down at your parents and say “Li pe fer Arts/ Francais/ Anglais? Ki li pou fer apres? Professer? Beh samem tou li kapav faire!” Generations have been moulded to believe that the Arts are useless. Everyone listens to music, watches movies but the moment you say you want to pursue arts, there will always be someone around to tell you that it is a ridiculous idea, a risk with no safety net, an idea doomed. But why is that?

The most glaring answer is because it truly is the case in Mauritius. To give us an idea of just how the life of an artist in Mauritius is, renowned dancer and choreographer as well as actress, Nalini Aubeeluck has agreed to share some on her views on the topic.

Log Pillay: You are an established artist on the Mauritian platform, why do you believe people are still reticent about the idea of the performing arts as a serious career path?

Nalini Aubeeluck: It starts with the socialisation of the individual, with the family. The youths are talented and they do express interest in the performing arts but the family has that traditionalist mind-set. They believe their kids can only achieve success through a traditional career path like becoming a teacher, or a doctor or a lawyer. They impose their own expectations on the children and extinguish their passion for the arts.

LP: And why do you think that parents are so dead set on being traditional about their kids’ future?

NA: Being an artist, especially in Mauritius, is hard. It’s a difficult profession where there aren’t enough opportunities, or platforms where you can grow and showcase your talents. It demands a lot of hard work and risk to be able to achieve what you want and stay on top but it’s an investment that will eventually reward you.

LP: How hard was it for you to get the knowledge necessary to become an artist?

NA: At the age of 13, I already knew that I wanted to follow my dream of becoming an artist and it took a lot of personal efforts to achieve it. But the educational system never offered any support where I could learn and grow. After my secondary education, I went out on my own, and researched extensively to find the knowledge to become an artist. 

LP: Do you think that the Mauritian society as a whole is responsive to the efforts of artists to propagate the arts?

NA: It’s a work in progress. Whenever there is a festival celebrating the Mauritian culture, you can see the people attending en-masse. So they are open to the arts, however we could achieve more if the proper authorities believed in the quality of art that we do. If they gave us the support we needed, doubtless we could achieve international fame.  But is it the case? Are Mauritians truly responsive to our arts? It is true that a lot of the cultural festivals are often sold out but is it because of the appreciation for the art or just the usual “mett gamat” attitude of most people? Take the PORLWI by LIGHT festival for example.

There was an outpouring of artists that finally found a platform where they could express themselves and there was a massive audience that attended the festivities. What you may not have noticed is the percentage of those people who came for the late night shopping at the hawkers stalls and the shops. What about the unreasonable amount of mess that remained afterwards? Enough to make you question whether the people came for the arts or for indulging their shopping urges.

LP: If you had gone abroad instead of remaining in Mauritius to perform your art, do you think you would have received better recognition and appreciation?

NA: Ha, that is an interesting question! I believe that if I HAD gone abroad, I would have had better exposure, better opportunities, even when it comes to my passion for acting, and perhaps, yes, better recognition as well but I do not regret staying in Mauritius. I know my country, I know the culture and I know what the people like, and above all, I know how I can use my art to bring a change about the way things are. It is sad that the present generation has very little interest in the arts, and even less support, but that’s the way it is.