Block Your Calendar | Classical Dance Performances this Season

By Editors

inputs from Nehha Bhatnagar

We firmly believe that out of all metropolises in India, only in Delhi can one do a world tour and India darshan in any given evening. Gastronomically apart, culturally, Delhi is truly a smorgasbord of fun!

In the field of Indian Classical Dance specifically, there are two fantastic events coming up, which you should definitely block you calendar for.

The Divinity Series

For the true connoisseurs of Classical Dance, there is a three day festival of Bharatanatyam called The Divinity Series to be held at Chinmaya Mission, Lodhi Road. Each evening features an eminent Bharatanatyam danseuse who will perform an hour long recital along with her accompanying musicians.  The three dancers chosen for the festival are truly remarkable. One of them is the most prominent name in the field of Bharatanatyam today- Rama Vaidyanathan. On asking her about the Series and her compositions chosen for the evening, she said “I am delighted to perform for The Divinity Series. I will be showcasing my own choreographies and my work. Each piece will be different from the other in mood, format, structure and of course the language of Bharatanatyam.”

A presentation by acclaimed Bharatnatyam dancer Jyotsna Shourie and ace-mediaman and marketer Deepak Shourie, the Divinity Series will also be telecast live on Doordashan Bharati.  The other two eminent dancers who will be featured are Meenakshi Srinivasan from Chennai and Mythili Prakash from Los Angeles. You could choose which dancer you wish to watch, or you could really immerse yourself in the ocean of this classical dance form for all three days. Whatever you wish to do- you should pre-register on the website of Divinity Series to get hold of the passes before they're sold out.

Why we'll be there | This will be Bharatanatyam at its finest! The compositions sound most exciting. For example, Rama Vaidyanathan's will be performing her famous dance piece which showcases the peacock in all its glory.

TwoGether

The second program that’s a must watch is an evening called TwoGether: Duets in Classical Dance, where they're be recreating a setting of a thatched mud gazebo, mud flooring, oil lamps, marigold flowers, set in an open air ambience in the grass. Being held at the Zorba The Buddha, the evening will showcase 10 minute pieces by each Classical dance style on the importance of a particular colour in Hindu Mythology. Highlights include a beautiful meditative piece on the Advaita philosophy by the Bharatanatyam duo, dancing balanced on the edge of a brass plate by the Kuchipudi duo, Kathakali expressions highlighted by the glow of oil lamps and the fast spins of Kathak dancers. The dancers are senior disciples of Padma Bhushan Guru Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan, Padma Shri Guru Jayarama Rao and Vanashree Rao, Guru Rajendra Gangani and Guru Evoor Rajendran Pillai. The event is in its second year, and is organized by Sarvam Foundation. Entry is free but audience contribution towards the artistes is voluntary.

Why we'll be here | Rarely does one see so many forms of Classical Dance come together in such a succinct format- we're looking forward to how this plays out. Also, we're glad they're stepping into of the traditional setting of mud floors and open surroundings, outside the confines of an auditorium space.

Notes in our Little Black Book |

Divinity Series |

Dates | 27th, 28th, 29th September

Venue | Chinmaya Auditorium, 89, Lodhi Road

For more information | http://www.divinityseries.org/contact.php%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost

TwoGether |

For more information | https://www.facebook.com/ClassicalDuetsAndJugalbandis%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost