To mark the International Dance Day, renowned classical dancers presented their spell-binding performances on Monday before the Bhopalites. Dance exponents like Anuradha V Singh and Chandan Thakore gave their splendid performance at Shaheed Bhawan.
The programme was organised by Vrinda Kathak Centre, Bhopal. The dance exponents also paid tribute to Pandit Kartik Ram to observe his fourth death anniversary.
Anuradha is noted Kathak dancer for her innovation and improvisation in traditional Kathak techniques. She began the programme with ‘Shiva Vandana’ in Jog and Rupak Taal that portrayed the different forms of lord Shiva and his Tandava Angas.
The programme was followed by Tarana in Hasdhwani Teen Taal. The audiences were mesmerized to watch the jugalbandi of music with the rhythms of ghungroo.
She then performed ‘Chaartaal ki Sawari’, one of the rarest forms of Kathak dance presentations. With Rhythmic understanding, ability to extemporize with speedy rhythms and preserving pure Kathak classical style her performance left the audiences awestruck. She wonderfully performed ‘Ghungroo Vadan’ in Raga Shivranjani. She beautifully performed it for 10 minutes in continuation matching the footwork with Violin and Tabla live on stage. She wrapped up her performance with Sufi Kathak on the poetry recitals of Amir Khusro ‘Nami Danam’.
She was accompanied by Salim Allahwale on Tabla and vocal. Experimenting with classical Sufi Kathak, she has evolved a sophisticated style in pure classical form, based on fast speeds, swift turns, mind-thrilling footwork and impressive expressions. The next performance was given by a noted classical choreographer and founder of Nritya Bharati troupe Chandan Thakore. He performed Bharatnatyam before the audiences. He began his performance with Gajanan Stuti followed by Panchyatan Devta, Tillana and wrapped up his performance with Mangalam.
Chandan has pioneered choreographing dance recitals in solo and groups. He has also experimented blending Uttar Hindustani music with South Indian dance for his choreographies, which is a novel experiment in Bharatanatyam.
The last performance was given by the tiny tots of Vrinda Kathak Centre. The refined rhythmic and the stylized presentations of classical dances delighted the audiences and they enjoyed the International Dance Day with lot of fervour.