The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : When dancers hogged the limelight

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 27, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

When dancers hogged the limelight

Staff Reporter

World Dance Day fete was held on April 25

BANGALORE: Natya STEM Dance Kampni & Alliance Francaise de Bangalore celebrated World Dance Day and the 10th Year of STEM Dance Kampni on April 25 by showcasing an extravaganza of classical, contemporary, martial and folk dance forms. Artistes and critics including Maya Rao, Usha Datar, Ashish Khokar, Geetha Narayanan and Amit Heri were present on the occasion.

The programme started with Somana Kunitha performers leading the audience into the concert hall.

Natya STEM Dance Kampni presented excerpts from their various works, including "Mandala" based on the ancient Buddhist art of the same name, and "Tarana," a blend of Flamenco and Kathak. "Tarana" was a collaborative effort with artist Raghava K.K., with the dancers giving form, shape and movement to his paintings.

Kuchipudi dancer Vyjayanthi Kashi gave a dynamic depiction of the "Amrita Manthan" episode in Indian mythology. Sanjay and Shama Shantaram, trained in both Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, did a "tarangam" based on the six senses. Probal Gupta rendered an interesting "padam" choreographed by Kalamandalam Govindan Kutty in Kathakali style. Odissi dancer Vani Madhav from the Deba Prasad Das "gharana" presented "Dasavatara." Eric Rousseau, director of Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, said that the showcasing of Indian art in an essentially French space would make Indo-French cultural bonds more strong.

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