It's OK to 'do your own thing'

Tu Tangata, Issue 24, 1 June 1985, Page 26

It's OK to 'do your own thing'

Myths laid to rest about performing arts

Participants at this years performing arts hui were told it was alright to do their own thing when it came to traditional waiata, haka etc.

Tutors at the hui at Maunao Marae, Ratana spoke about the general acceptance of the rigid and uniform presentation of performance popularised by copetition and entertainment groups, in preference to free-style action.

This view did not mean that uniform action should be discouraged but rather that there be scope to allow for individual expression and free-style action in performance. After all, an action could be expressed in a number of ways and who is to judge what is right or wrong?

The rationale was that movement and expression is motivated by the

spirit (mauri, ihi) rather than the mind. Examples are the use of pukana, body stance and action.

The theme of the hui was youth involvement in the performing arts with the majority of the four hundred attending in the 16 to 25 year old bracket.

Most came to further their skills in waiata, haka, poi and waita-a-ringa. As well as the workshops, the feature of the hui was a tribute to Ngoi Pewhairangi, the late convenor of the performing arts steering committee.