The Hindu : New Delhi News : Showcasing Indian classical `dharohar'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 14, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Showcasing Indian classical `dharohar'

PICTURE PERFECT: The students of Natya Vriksha at a performance.

A unique two-day classical Bharatanatyam festival titled "Dharohar 2005", featuring 65 students of Natya Vriksha, a contemporary gurukul right here in the Capital, opens at Hindi Bhavan in New Delhi this Thursday. The festival is the brainchild of dancer-choreographer Geeta Chandran, the founder of Natya Vriksha. Now celebrating 15 remarkable years of teaching Bharatanatyam, Geeta wants to put her best foot forward showcasing Indian classical culture through the dancing skills of her students. "Artistes are only caretakers of heritage. It is their unique privilege to be able to pass on that tradition and its vitality to the next generation," says Geeta.

At Natya Vriksha, Geeta has evolved a holistic method of teaching dance. Her approach encompasses training students both in dance -- theory and practice -- and aesthetics. In this dance institution, students are also made aware of the related fields of music and aharya (costume and make-up) besides stage design and sound-and-light technologies.

Geeta takes special care and interest in imparting the inherent meaning and ideas to her students. She also familiarises them with ancient epics, legends and mythology. -- Madhur Tankha

-- Madhur Tankha

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