DARING TO BE DIFFERENT

Contemporary dance is here to stay. Daksha Sheth's performance at a traditional sabha such as the Krishna Gana Sabha, proves this point beyond doubt.

Right from the choice of themes, styles adopted, music and costumes, Daksha's dance production was directed towards a new dance vocabulary. Daksha and her dance company, which includes her daughter Isha Sherwani, Anil Kumar and Rajesh Raveendran, gave a soul stirring performance consisting of a combination of styles such as Kalaripayattu, Yoga, Mayurbhanj Chau and Mallakhamb. The simplicity of costumes and set were appealing.

She began with a traditional item in Kathak, based on sixteen counts. The item showed the union of Radha and Krishna. Using classical dance grammar, she very effectively portrayed the difference between the two characters.

The second piece was an excerpt from their home production 'Sarpagati', using the Snake as a symbolic representation of love, fertility and procreation. The item drew inspiration from Kalaripayattu, a traditional martial art. The precise timing of the movements and the patterns woven in space were truly remarkable. The perfect understanding and high degree of concentration between the two dancers was evident, as a small miscalculation in their judgement would have caused grievous injury to any one of them. The smooth and flowing music and the lighting, with the whole piece performed in silhouette, added a dramatic touch. Isha Sherwani was superb.

Her next item was a segment from another production of hers titled 'Bhukam'. It explores the polarity between Earth and Sky. The earthbound movements by the dancers while entering the stage were a nice touch. This piece was a combination of live music (Electric Guitar and Drums) and recorded music. The sheer physicality of the movements, done with perfect harmony and co-ordination, was appealing.

Daksha stole the show with a solo performance in the next piece, a unique blend of contemporary dance movements set on eighteenth century music, composed by Italian Composer Vivaldi. The whole concept was very creative.

She concluded the programme with yet another item with her daughter and the two male dancers. Innovative hand movements, like the slapping of the shoulders to the lively music, were invigorating. A power failure in the second half of the programme forced Daksha to trim the last item. But the exciting improvisations and the overall appeal of the programme kept the performance throbbing with life.

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