Seher presents Ananya Dance Festival '08 October 11 - 15, 2008 New Delhi October 7, 2008 SEHER presents ANANYA DANCE FESTIVAL '08: a five-day classical dance extravaganza at Purana Qila, New Delhi from October 11, 2008 till October 15, 2008 from 7pm to 8.15 pm daily. The event is being held in association with Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Sahitya Kala Parishad. Organised by SEHER, one of the premier organizations in the area of performing and visual arts, ANANYA: 'The Unparalleled - A dialogue of Indian classical dance with heritage monument' is an annual dance festival held at Purana Qila which celebrates the beauty of Indian classical dance forms and focuses on group choreography in particular. Sanjeev
Bhargava, Festival Director, Ananya Dance Festival says: "Ananya, now
in its seventh year is an attempt to popularize Indian classical arts amongst
the youth. In this age of television boom, growing TRP's of reality
television, our heritage and culture needs to be preserved and marketed
smartly amongst the youth or else there is a danger that most of it would
be declared intangible heritage shortly. Ananya is one such attempt of
ours to showcase Indian classical dance in its pure form but packaged sleekly
for the younger generation and first time enthusiasts of Indian culture.
This festival's growing popularity amongst all sections of Delhi's audience
is true testimony that our classical arts have what it takes to weather
all storms."
One of the
highlights of Ananya '08 is that it would be Kalakshetra's first performance
after renowned dancer Leela Samson took over as the famed institution's
director. Moreover, in keeping with Ananya's tradition of identifying younger
and lesser known talent, two of Delhi's young dancers Malti Shyam and Jayaprabha
Menon would be creating a special site-specific choreography at Purana
Qila. This year's Ananya is also being keenly awaited because of hosting
Jai Kishore's (Kuchipudi) first group performance in Delhi. Also, this
year SEHER has gone one step ahead in adding an academic perspective to
performing arts with a two-day interactive seminar on October 13th &
14th at Alliance Francaise titled Pratibimb where stalwarts like
Leela Samson, Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and Jai Kishore Mosalikanti among
others would reflect on the varied nuances of group choreographies.
This will be followed by another traditional dance form from Kerala, Mohiniattam by Jayaprabha Menon. One of the most accomplished dancers of the new generation and a disciple of Bharthi Shivaji, Jayaprabha's dance is rooted in tradition. Her themes are not only contemporary and interpretative, bold and novel but, she also blends in her dance a refreshing originality with traditional discipline. Says Jayaprabha, "At this Ananya Fest, we will be performing Layalahiri, a combination of Kathakali (a representation of tandava) and Mohiniattam (an expression of lasya - an extremely feminine, graceful and fluid type of dance). In this particular choreography the contrasts and similarities of these two major art forms of Kerala will be explored." Another accomplished participating choreographer is veteran Guru Durga Charan Ranbir who will be presenting Odissi. Says Durga Charan Ranbir, "Odissi's color, rhythm and gaiety evolve from the sculpture of the temples. Its spontaneity and outflow of ecstasy is unparalleled, depicting beauty and subtlety, grace and charm while being completely engrossed in the varied moods and sentiments of sringar rasa." His troupe will start with Siba Mangalacharan (offering of flowers by the dancers on the manchprabesh followed by bhumi pranam and a prayer to deity of choice); Sthayee (based on sabdaswarapata and shilpasastra) and Aditya Archana (prayer to the sun god).
The finale of Ananya Dance Festival '08 is with Malti Shyam's performance of Kathak, the major classical dance form of northern India. Belonging to the Lucknow Gharana, Malti credits her growth and formation as a dancer, her energy and inspiration to the great master Pt Birju Maharaj's expert guidance in all aspects of Kathak. Says Malti, "At Ananya, our presentation begins with prayers offered to the Lord of the Lords, Shiva. Then there is the Thumri (tender, evocative turn of wrists); Dadra that gets into the heart of the stealer of hearts, and last is the Tarana and Sargam." Program
(Featuring group choreographies)
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The
festival begins with the famed institution Kalakshetra from Chennai,
who are renowned for featuring different styles of music and dance from
across the country. Choreographed by Leela Samson, they will be performing
the most popular and widely performed dance style Bharatanatyam, a classical
dance form originating from Chennai. Says Director, Kalakshetra, Leela
Samson: "Our presentation begins with a keerthanam (song) on Lord
Shiva's Ananda Tandava, followed by Kalinga Nartanam which speaks
of Lord Krishna's victory over cobra king Kalinga. Then we have tried to
do a dance theatre narrative through the French novel - The Three Musketeers
and lastly the grand finale would be a medley of three Tillanas."
A
highly sought after nattuvanar, Jai Kishore Mosalikanti has not
only mastered the intricate Kuchipudi style of Andhra Pradesh but also
developed a unique personal style with innovative use of rhythm and rhythmic
variations. Says Jaikishore, "The innovative choreography we have used
retains the essence of Kuchipudi form. With lilt and drama, the dance is
rooted in classical poetry, appropriate raagam and an expert play
with rhythm which is always with strict adherence to taalam." At
Ananya, Jaikishore will be showcasing his recent works along with five
dancers. They are Kuchipudi Nrityamaalika (traditional prayer song
to the goddess Balatripurasundari of Kuchipudi Village); Saraswati
Stuti (in praise of Saraswati); Tarangam (praise of Shiva);
Keerthanam (the dancers portray the beauty and charm of the gopikas
who are adorning themselves and getting ready to join Krishna on a boat
ride on the river Yamuna) and Thillana (creates a mood of joy and
climax of the performance with complex rhythmic movements, footwork and
patterns).