More than 100 classical and contemporary artistes performed at Sahitya Natak Akademi and India Habitat Centre to celebrate World Dance Day and create awareness on various forms. UK Banerjee reports
let dance resonate from your ancestral memories, from your DNA extending like tendrils to future generations. Call your body forth to move, to speak a language without words. Dance your dreams and poetry. Find that place deep inside your inner landscape that longs for expression. Close your eyes and remember the heart-beat rhythm, the first music you heard in your consciousness…
The annually observed World Dance Day under UNESCO — of which the above is the quintessence of this year’s special message — is to enhance overall awareness of the importance of dance among the general public. Around the world, events on World Dance Day comprise open-door courses, exhibitions, articles concerning different kinds of dance, dance-evenings, street-shows and special performances.
The recent two-fold dance evening, organised by Sadhya under Santosh Nair — aptly with the support of Sangeet Natak Akademi in their premises — began with the solo segment. The Colombia-citizen Caroline Prada, disciple of guru Janme Joy Saibabu, presented a mesmerising Nataraj: depicting his yogic, destructive and blissful aspects, in pristine Mayurbhanj Chhau. Sanjib Bhattacharya, disciple of Manipuri guru Bipin Singha, produced Prabandha-tanum, based on musical combinations akin to Hindustani tarana. Next was a very gifted Vrinda Chadha, disciple of Odissi guru Ranjana Gauhar, depicting from Gita Govinda: Dheera Sameere Yamuna Teere… Contemporary dance followed by Rishi Sharma, Santosh Nair’s disciple, performing Rudra — the destroyer for salvation of all. Seraikela Chhau, Sagar, came from Govind Mahato, student of Shashidhar Acharya, with mask and ocean’s blue attire.
Neha Sharma, disciple of Santosh Nair, presented a spirited contemporary dance, Detox, with commentary on power of human mind. Kathakali by Vishnupriya Marar, disciple of guru Evoor Rajendran Pillai, was like a dance-prelude sans storyline. Varsha Baldodia of Urshila Dance Company brought contemporary Antrik Darpan, finding free liberated spirit beyond the outer frivolities. Kathak by Amit Khimchi, disciple of guru Rajendra Gangani, depicted Dhamar with dazzling pirouettes and foot-work. The finale was resplendent Ganapati Tanam by Dakshina Vidyanathan, disciple of Bharatanatyam guru Saroja Viadyanathan.
The second segment of pas de deux and pas de troi began with Mohiniyattam Nritya Angikam from Abhinaya Darpana by Jayapriya, Sandhya and Thankam, all disciples of Jayaprabha Menon. Next was a masked Seraikela Chhau, Radha-Krishna, by Shagun and Shubham, both disciples of Shashaidhar Acharya, depicting the human-divine love-play. Contemporary, Asamanjas, was a dance of confrontation among mother Kunti, and sons Arjuna and Karna by Rishi, Neha and Sahul, all disciples of Santosh Nair. Another contemporary piece was In and Out by Nanda, Swati and Akancha, all disciples of Santosh Nair, on confrontation between inner and outer worlds.
Odissi, Radharani, portrayed a high-energy celebration of Holi among Krishna, Radha and gopis, by Sukriti, Zofia and Smriti, all disciples of Ranjana Gauhar. Contemporary, Say Something, went into the psyche of bonding and disruption of a relationship by Sudhir and Himesh, disciples of Santosh Nair. Piyush and Preeti, both disciples of Rajendra Gangani, presented technical flourishes of Kathak. At the end came contemporary item on playfulness and seriousness by Urshila Dance Company in a foursome, for a change, by Aseng, Surbhi, Shiv and Vicky.
Santosh Nair, the creative director, was very pleased to see the tremendous audience response, “It’s obvious that our efforts, begun in 2011 with a much less number of dance companies, have begun to yield fruits. This year we have diversified into two venues, to keep up with the audience enthusiasm. The UNESCO motto: ‘dance for the public’ seems to be coming true!”