Aavartan
IMDB
*ing: Sushma Seth, Shovan
Rated: 5/10
The latest film by writer-director Durba Sahay, who had made her debut as a director with The Pen, is a take on the guru-shishya parampara and how one cycle ends and the next begins. With danseuse Shovana Narayan in the lead, the one-hour-and-56 minutes are spent exploring the beautiful relationship that a gurus have with their shishyas and how sometimes ego and pride cone in the way of this beautiful and sacred relationship. But the whole premise behind an art form is to surrender to the art and there is no place for egos here.
Through the four generations of passing on the tradition of who will lead the next generation of young dancers, Aavartan, which means a cycle, is interesting to watch — that a guru can be jealous of her pupil but manages to over come her insecurities via a story told to her by her guru.
Narayan may not be a great actor but there is no doubt where her skills lie — a brilliant Kathak dancer. Those who love classic dance forms, this movie is a treat to watch. To see Narayan dance so beautifully even though she us 70 years old is magical. It just goes to show that one can never take the art form from the artist whatever be the age. The dual towards the climax where she performs is absolutely riveting. One can see clearly why she is still the queen of her art.
Watch this one for some excellent footwork by Shovana Narayan.
