"Artistes should stop performing for free..." says dancer Usha Vasanthkumar, who alongwith dancer Unnikrishnan organised the Marga Festival of dance, theatre and music in Chennai recently.

For the third year now, the two dancers have put their heads together to keep the fest rolling.

The shows were ticketed and Usha says the response from rasikas has improved from last year.

Nevertheless, she adds, "We need more awareness among the sponsors. A system has to be developed, where we can support a fest, present it professionally, publicise it enough and make it comfortable for the artistes and the rasikas.

Held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, the fest was inaugurated by senior dancer Lakshmi Viswanathan and dance guru V.P. Dhananjayan.

The fest this year featured Bharatanatyam duet by Bangalore based Sathya Narayana Raju and Anjana, a contemporary dance presentation by Attakalari and Ther-k-koothu by Purisai Duraisami Kanappa Thambiran Parambarai.

Contact: Marga Dance Company, Ph: 52111398, E-mail: marga2001@rediffmail.com