ENTHRALLING DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA

The International Dance Alliance (IDA) and the Music Academy in association with the Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India (ABHAI) presented a two-day dance festival comprising of Dance groups from all over India. Titled 'Nrithya Mala', this event was in celebration of  IDA's 15^th Anniversary.

The programme was devised and presented by Leela Sekhar, Member, IDA Advisory Council. It was a congregation of different dance styles (mainly Bharatanatyam) and dancers (the very young and the not so young), presenting a chosen theme in a professional manner.

Noted writer, novelist and activist -Sivasankari, was the Chief Guest of the evening. In her inaugural address she paid tribute to Rukmini Devi, the founder of Kalakshetra and said that, "it was due to Rukmini Devi's untiring efforts that the art of Bharatanatyam was resurrected and was given its due honour. Today it is hard to find households in South India where at least one member of the family has not learnt the art".

The programme started with a performance by the students of Chitra Visweswaran from the Chidambaram Academy of Performing Arts. The chosen theme was titled 'Nyana Dataha Tvaam Vande', it dwelt on 'Guru Bhakti' or devotion to the teacher. Adishankara in Guruvashtakam quotes thus, "if in this world there is a man who does not respect his Guru, then the essence of his whole birth is a waste". It was a sincere effort by the students, who choreographed the dance completely on their own, though the large group on the stage made the whole production look a little cluttered.

The second group to dance was students from Natya Priya. They performed the 'Navarasa Nayaka', an item which is an amalgamation of the nine emotions (Shringaram, Veeram, Karunyam, Adbhutam, Roudram, Bhayam, Bhibatasam, Haasyam and Shantam). The three young girls who alternatively danced to each emotion were superb. The clean execution of the adavus(steps) and the sparkling abhinaya was impressive.

The third group consisted of dancers from the Nrithyakshetra School of Dance. They performed a rare varnam 'Aadavaney' on Lord Surya. The fourth group for the evening presented the 'Shivananda Natyam'’. This item was presented by the students of Ganesha Natyalaya, Delhi. This piece was based on the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva.

The next item, 'A journey to the heavens', choreographed and directed by Swarnamalaya Ganesh was refreshing. The five dancers went about their movements unobtrusively. It was a contemporary dance containing steps taken from Bharatanatyam, Yoga and Kalaripayattu; the item described the beauty and the prominence of Mount Kailash and the legendary Rivers arising from it. The professionally recorded music was crisp and clear.

The last group for the evening was from Kalakshetra . They performed a piece titled 'Iduvum Aduvum', which talked about the forces of nature which are so different, yet coexist in harmony like Man and Woman, light and darkness, fire and water. An unusual theme, it was done well except for the dancers who seemed a bit too many for the stage.

The second day of the festival saw six different groups performing; beginning with 'Triumbike' -a salutation to the Universal mother Sakthi. This  confluence of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohini Attam brought forth the  underlying spirit of kinship in dance, in spite of each style having its own identity. The three professional dancers took on the role of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It was a neat, refined and a well-coordinated presentation.

The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world. This saying was elaborated upon, taking instances from the epic Ramayana for the next presentation.  Shobana and her large troupe consisting of forty dancers presented 'Thalattu'. Though this vibrant presentation had the amateurish touch of a  school cultural programme, the young dancers performed their respective roles with aplomb. The colourful costumes were a visual treat.

The next group to perform was the Natya Dance Ensemble from Delhi. The group is an amalgam of the Natya Institute of Kathak, which is headed by Maya Rao and the Stem Dance Company, headed by Madhu Natraj Heri. Inspired by the Jazz idiom and motifs of contemporary dance, the dancers were totally in synch with each other. It was enjoyable watching  flamenco movements with the traditional Kathak steps in the last item 'Taraana'. The simple churidar-kurta ensemble worn by the dancers was unusual and appealing.

Anita Guha from Chennai presented 'Thatasthu' meaning 'so be it'. An interesting theme, the dancers did a wonderful job. Special mention must be made of the excellent command over  tala, by the little child who played the role of Murugan.

Kalakshetra trained set of dancers lead by Manjari Chandrashekar performed the next piece. An unusual theme, it epitomised the moon, as the unparalled definition of beauty. The presentation was classy and refined.

All in all the organisers should be applauded for the Herculean task of  bringing together so many artistes and giving them an opportunity to show case their talent.

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