Presiding Guests;- Padmashri Darshana Javeri , Padmashri Dr Puru Dadheech , Shri Sandip Soparrkar, Kathak exponents Rajashree Shirke ,Shila Mehta Dr Radha Mohan & Mohan (Kuchipudi)
Sponsor – Mahendra Finance
& Anjali Bharatanatyam Research Trust (Regd)
Kalashri Dr Lata Surendra known for curating festivals with unique themes once again came up with SHAPATH- An Ode unto Vows, Oaths, Resolutions in mythology An exploration of cause and effectt to endorse the meanings in the weaving threads of our mythologies by imaginative ,adventurous choreographers and Seasoned practitioners of the city on May1’2024 at the Mysore Association Auditorium ,Mumbai .
The momentum for the celebration was set by Bharata College of Fine Arts & Culture , the founder Principal of which is Dr Sandhya Purecha ,Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi. ‘Swarajya’ absolutely set the prelude to the exploration of SHAPATH . Vibrant and seasoned dancers Chitra Dalvi , Pushkar(Bharatanatyam ) Latasana Devi (.Manipuri) and the renowned Shubhada Varadkar also the choreographer (Odissi) brought to life the theme of ‘Swarajya’ . It was just the right start to compliment the Maharashtra Divas that at Mysore Auditorium , sought to celebrate the World Dance Day with a potent theme of ‘Shapath’ . ‘Swarajya’ highlighted the pledge of freedom taken by Bal shivaji to fight for freedom , to worship, to speak and live without fear, and a pledge not to suffer injustice .
The choreography with experienced dancers made explicit the scenes very evocatively. Commencing with the visually aesthetic and pulsating ‘Jadev Jaydev jay ” what followed was Queen Jijamate’s lullaby . A unique lullaby that sought to awaken the Bal Shivaji to enemies around . It was such an apt choice of the. Choreographer to havie it enframed in Manipuri
The experienced Exponents depicted the journey of Shivaji to Chatrapthi Sh ivaji . Highlighting the strength and sacrifice of a commander such as Bajirao Prabhu who though critically injured motivated the army to hold fort until Shivaji’s safe journey to Vishalgadh was signaled. The well knit performance impacted within the capsuled framework stipulated and higighted that impacting in dance absolutely transcends time . In th e blink of an eye and epoch can take shape and the one solo can impact as much as a group because the dance is about the one in all and all in the one. Kudos to the choreographer , the team, the edifice nurturing the city with the aesthetics of fine arts !
The anticipation in the fully packed auditorium was evident as Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya (the founder Principal of which is none other than the late legendary veteran Padmabhushan Dr Kanak Rele,) sought to explore the theme .
A thought provoking choreography was presented defining Shapath through strategic episodes from Mahabharat by the. Competent , imaginative Principal Dr Uma Rele that stirred profound questions!
Why morality remained the substance of truth and truth the essence of all morality ? Why a Bhishma’s commitment to the throne , Draupadi’s humiliation ,Bhima’s loyalty to his brother despite their shortcomings.? The gripping choreography through probing delved into the morality lacing all actions defining the Ode to Shapath through a skillful weaving of potency of chosen styles and a team of vibrant
dancers – Taamohar Biswas ,Radhika Nair,Mohan Acharya,Jainami Gada, Gauri Ajith, Meera Wagh, Kavya Varma,Urvashi Gupta, Karthika Murugan, Venkateshwari Nadar, Amanda Chetty. The right choice of performers and the right styles to drape an emotion /character is always crucial to impacting and Kudos to Uma Releji for the well meditated upon weaving bringing to life a theme so solendrously!
‘ Bhagirath Shapath ‘ that followed, Choreographed by the renowned veteran – Kathak Exponent Founder & Artistic Director Guru Shila Mehta was a studied interpretation of the layers of Bhagavati Ganga’s descent .Commencing with Gangagayatri Mantra it mirrored the distinctive touch of the creator . It was interesting on the dance day to also watch the related chemistry and connect of every mentor with their Shishyas that made Diksha so meaningful . Under the astute watchful eye of the Guru the sacred river came to life answering the cry of Bhaveeratha . Guru Shila Mehta’s talented senior disciples- Mansi Somaiya, KrutikaSawant, Sumana Sachidananda were graceful and impacting in their subdued yet powerful execution . A very energetically aggressive contrast to the softness was ‘SHAPATH’ – by dancers with passion & fire in their hearts, who had all the audience charged with an infectious momentum through the synergy of Odiss i ( Sanatan Chakravarty) Kathak (Aditya Garud )& Bharatnatyam (Nilesh Singha) – the city’s very dynamic male dancers . Determination laced the delineation of each of the artists . Their intent and conviction and a desire to break through with their signatures had their identities exuding masculine power and grace endorsing a strong pledge to surpass every challenge to stand out amidst a sea of human faces Panchali Sapatham , draped in Bharatanatyam style based on the lyrics by Tamil nationalist poet laureate Subramania Bharati, popularly known as “Bharatiyaar” was Choreographed in the signature style of the imaginative Mentor – tthe experienced choreographer Smt Jayashree Nair and executed by dedicated dancers – Aarya Kumar, Adwita Pradeep, Dhananandini Rajaruban, Jasmeet Taak, Jhassithaa Balakrishna, Namrata Paralkar, Neha Nair, Saritha Pradeep, Sashank Shetty, Shrushti Jayaprakash & Vishesha Adhvaryu. It was a meaningful exploring of r Draupadi’s Oath that had the rooted attention of the fully packed auditorium . What enhanced the choreography was the Music by late K Narayana with vocals by the mellifluos Sri Siva Prasad N N and Smt. Sujatha Nair renowned Dancer , daughter / disciple of the Guru . It was amazing how a chapter unfolded dance to dancer!
The oath of Panchali to the oath of Parvati was just a dance step away ! The greatest oath always is the one to love unconditionally and Parvati proving her love to become one with Shiva eternally that ultimately had Amba and Shiva merging as -Sambasadashiva was what followed . It was visually etched evocatively by Dr Piyush Raj andDr Sunil Sunkara with a deep rooted commitment to do justice to its pulsating lyrical content penned by the great Master himself – Padmashri Puru Dadeech What a blessing indeed for the experienced performers to present the creation in the witnessing presence of their Mentor and creator – who had not only penned lyrics and compoosed it but also choreographed it. It was a task whether to look at the Mentor watching the disciples or gather him through the disciples !
From Kathak to contemporary , the dance and choice ofsubject changed . World Dance Day it was with a draping of the theme in contemporary dance by the exlerienced intense performer Ammith M L Kumar kumar & Ritika Ochani – DANCE WORX (TDX )! A jaw dropping exploring it was truly , with ethereal Echoes in endless corridors resonating with oaths orbiting in tunneling corridors of time . Excellence followed excellence and the sensitive audience were enthralled by the Yakshagana that followed.
What a splendid performance it was with Bhasmasura -Mohini episode in Yakshagana by Ankita Naik – the disciple of Guru Gopala Ganiga Heranjalu – renowned Yaksha Guru . Ankita as Bhasmasura was endearing ,adorable ,a well practised delineation that gathered a flowing spontaneity developed to bring a laughter ,a smile that had our hearts go out to the demon … a desire to hug the demon too at times ! Ankita was complimented by Sapna Thapa as Mohini Majestic and purposive and intriguing the demon with a body language that bespoke of her maturity . Kashish as Shiva helped provide the reason for the causal drama . Bhasmura- Mohini merited a standing ovation from the very sensitive audience that made every reaching out ever so blissful. Two experienced exponents Dr Sailaja Desai ( Kuchipudi)and Dr Suman Badami( Bharatanatyam) came together in the artistic dimensions of May1’2024 to gather the descent of the Ganga to accord salvation to the sons of sagara .. an answer to the penance undertaken by Bhageeratha. Visually pleasing in white they complimented each other effectively draping their choreography through Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam Curators of the Powai Fine Arts that they are their acute awareness of each other’s style ,their concern with the message highlighted that dance should seek to express more than impress. The cry of the Ganga reluctant to leave heaven echoed in the turmoil racing within Yashodara by accomplished exponent Pallavi Shome, an alumni of Kathak Kendra, New Delhi who very sensitively exploredthe great poet Maithili Sharan Gupt’s- ‘ Re mann, aaj pariksha teri’ from his work titled ‘Yashodhara’ Inspite of a knee Injury that curtailed her movements with skillful modification of her own choreography she draped the stirring poem’s intensity with a subdued delineation that highlighted her obvious experience .
Curator Kalashri Dr Lata Surendra and her disciples Ananya Mohan, Lavanyakshi Uchil,Megha Pillai,Mahek Prajapati ,
reached out with three vows Lord Shiva urged Parvati to keep . The fact she could not keep it led to the causal trail of events where Sati awakens her Father Daksha Prajapati of his own entreaty unto her – Shakthi , to be born as his daughter . His insults and rage has Sati reveal her true form as Shakti and in a bid to severe the worldly bond between her and her father she self- immolates herself in fire to the dismay of all present.
The choice of music , Indian,Indo- western,with Synergy of Carnatic swaras came into its own in the ‘Ardhanareeshwar’ composition penned by Padmashri Guru Puru Dadheech . Deftly the swaras draping lyrics were woven to embrace the Adi Thalam format by the experienced Curator. .
Lata was supported by her mature disciples and the item merited appreciation by the legendary Veteran Guru Shri Puru Dadheech himself.
A stirring ‘Chanakya Shapatham ‘ by Samidha’s Institute of performing arts and her
Disciples –
Madhavi Ghante,Anushree Kumbhar, Lithika Prabhakar, Kanchan Salve, Ranika Pathak, Jahnvi Joshi, developed the theme of the day . With maturity using the young talented moulds Samidha explored sincerely -Chanakya taking his oath after being insulted by King – Dhanananda in the royal assembly; His one thought of revenge that had him train Chandragupta Maurya and finally his crushing the Nanda dynasty to establish the glorious Maurya Empire.. The scenes impacted through the carefully worked out choreography using the young dedicated disciples skillfully .
A sankalp vital in defining a ‘savitri ‘ the strong woman in every woman , “mai savitri” underlined the obvious efforts put in by Gayatri Bhat the tres talented disciple of Guru Ranjana Phadke . An impacting performance endorsed her creative acumen . It is this alone that takes any artist far .. with a name to reckon with amidst a sea of human faces. The growth of this artist i have observed . An innate pathos that resurges with the cry of humanity that will have her make a distinctive mark and have all absolutely relate her name with the style . The all favourite of the day seemed Draupadi and young ,talented ,dedicated
Krishnabhadra Namboodiri – Disciple of the committed Guru Gayatri Subramanian endeared herself to all hearts , with her sensitive exploring of Draupadi .
What a subdued yet strong defining of a well meditated choreography , young yet intense . Her adherence to the detailing prevalent in the subdued and powerful choreography of her Guru was remarkable. A whisper they say can be louder than a shout and it is one feature of her Guru Gayatri Subramaniun i always appreciate. The day stretched on and yet the timeless was experienced through every reaching out. Jayalakshmi Anand & Anand Satchidanand .. chaste , intense and dignified ,a duo who never fail to stir aesthetic hearts . It was an interesting dimension throughTirunavukkarasars Thevaram padigam – Maathar Pirai.
Shiva fulfilling both vows – that of the Bhakta to see Shiva and Shakti (Kailasa) and his vow to guide his Pasus to realise the Pati What a command performance . Such is the potency of compositions that to relate it’s universality to life through art , all it takes is to relate to the words waiting in compositions seeking to be draped in chords and yearning to dance into hearts as a message !
It was the turn of the rasikas to stretch their feet to participate and the ‘Movement Metaphor in DMT an interesting session by Dr. Lata Narayan -a retired Professor from TISS, in the discipline of Social Work did just that . She had the audience come on to the stage!
It is the bond between the audience and rasikas that has kept tradition alive through the times Talented disciples of Guru Smt. Alakananda Mukherjee Sanjana Kamble, Vedanti Parab, Vaishnavi Menon, Prakriti Mahapatra, Nidhi Kamble, Sanika, brought to life their Guru ‘s choreography to visually etch the profound promise shared by Radha and Krishna ..a promise embracing all that is romance in this world . It was inspired by Bhanusingha Thakurer Padavali that comprised of Vaishnava verses penned by Rabindranath Tagore in Brajbuli and the disciples endeared themselves to all with their commitment and dedication.
Dedicated Saranya Jaselin performed Arjun Chaturang – A unique chaturang in Arjun Taal (24 Matra) written by Sunil Sunkara and composed by Advaith Roy that brought forth the journey of Arjun upto the moment on the battlefield. Where with Gita as Sakshi he took the oath to move forth as the protector of Dharma as Gandivdhari Arjuna.The Mentor is reflected in the shishya .. Sharanya’s execution carried her dedicated observation and an awareness . A deep passion for her dance form and her respect for those who were instrumental in shaping her talent . Her Guru Padmashri Puru Dadhich and her imaginative choreographer/ bhaiya Sunil was very much mirrored in her evocative delineation .
The absorbing delineation.
Beautiful Neha Banerjee and Akshobhya Bharadwaj reached out with Draupathi Shapath – a part from ‘Sairandri – the musical’. It was a dramatic portrayal by the two very seasoned performers that evocatively mirrored the humiliation with realistic intensity that had the hearts of the audience desire to free the beastly hands tugging at the highlighted tresses of a beauty in pain. The vow continued to enlarge with Abhishek Rathod -a wonderful contemporary dancer and teacher who draped the entreaty and cry of the devotee , anchoring in that faith that trusts the promise of the Lord unto devotees !
Urging an oath from all humanity was Taalmani Pandit Brijraj Mishra Kala Foundation . The gentle ,feminine grace that is Dr Anupama Harshal visually highlighted the necessity of an oath by every human being to plant a tree because each tree is a sentinel, standing tall and proud with roots entwined with stories. The sensitively woven choreography awakened all to Trees as being truly the guardians of serenity, in shades of green .
When it’s the Maharashtra Divas – Labour day that you are. Celebrating a World Dance Day , how can one miss out on a Lavani ? Lavanyavati Nilesh Auti was at his coquettish best with the romance stirrring Item- ‘Hichkee’.
Debabrata Pal had the curiousity of the crowd as he synergised – ‘Dance and painting ‘ The canvas, the dance ,the audience all smiled with Debo who related to the spirit of the dancer as he blissfully stood gathered with his creativity in the limelight. The page concluded with the veteran exponent of Kathak Rajashree Shirke inspiring dancing feet to awaken to the connotations of dance it’s capacity to link worlds . She created the Tree of life rooted in tradition , endorsing the perennial cycle of Diksha with a quest go imbibie if only to inculcate !
” Creativity is reaching out with what is often thought but never so well expressed .It is about seeing the same world but thinking different because it is not what happens to us but how we react to it that separates us from each other . In that separation is the birth of a new inspiration which when transformed to a poem ,when draped in lyrics ,when brought to life through gestures becomes a dance unique as ever and timeless in its message ! ” Kalashri Dr Lata Surendra.
CELEBRATING WORLD DANCE DAY WITH SHAPATH – An Ode To Vows ,Oaths, Resolutions In Mythology Curated By Kalashri Dr Lata Surendra