The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ISKCON temple to host dance drama

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

ISKCON temple to host dance drama

Staff Correspondent

The programme will be a reproduction of the dance choreographed by the late Rukmini Devi

BANGALORE: For perhaps the first time, Bangaloreans will witness Valmiki Ramayana in the form of a dance drama. The programme will be staged by the Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, from August 10 at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple auditorium.

Six parts

The dance drama will be held for a week and will include all six parts of the Valmiki Ramayana, each lasting two and a half hours.

They will be staged from 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

"This dance drama is an attempt to revive the traditional heritage and legacy of our country. It is a reproduction of the dance choreographed by the late Rukmini Devi, with the lyrics adopted from the original Valmiki Ramayana. The drama is a blend of beauty and compassion, which she tried to portray in all her works," said Leela Samson, the Director of Kalakshetra, Chennai.

Carnatic style

She added that the dance has been choreographed representing Natya Shastra. In a few places, Kathakali techniques have been employed. Elaborating on the music composed for the programme, S. Rajaram, the former Director of Kalakshetra, Chennai, underlined that the music will be in Carnatic style.

The first four episodes will incorporate music composed by the great scholar and musician, the late Vasudevacharya. Mr. Rajaram composed the music for the latter part.

The six episodes encompass Sita Swayamvaram, Sri Rama Vanagamanam, Paduka Pattabhishekam, Sabari Moksham, Chudamani Pradanam and Maha Pattabhishekam.

Details can be had from Shubhanaga Chaitanya Dasa at ISKCON by calling 23471956

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