The Hindu : New Delhi News : Showcasing a dynamic dance tradition

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 12, 2006
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New Delhi

Showcasing a dynamic dance tradition

Madhur Tankha

`ANANYA': A unique dance festival

NEW DELHI: It is a dialogue of Indian classical dance with a heritage monument. Delhi Tourism in collaboration with Seher is all set to organise an annual festival of classical dance titled "Ananya" against the backdrop of the historic Purana Qila on Thursday.

Now in its fifth year, Ananya has come to be known internationally as one of the most prestigious dance festivals. Bringing to art connoisseurs the vibrancy of contemporary creativity in the Indian dance tradition, the special feature of the five-day festival is that dancers drawn from different styles will explore new vistas in responding to the challenges of our times. It will also exemplify the inherent resilience of our dance tradition to cope with new ideas and changing contexts.

This year Ananya will feature some of the foremost dance groups of the country, commencing with Odissi by Nrityagram from Bangalore, Kathak by Parwati Dutta and dance by Natya Stem Dance Kampni from Bangalore and Bharatanatyam by B. Bhanumati and group also from the Garden City.

This festival of Indian classical dance that features the major classical forms on a single stage is perhaps the only one of its kind to present group choreography in various styles. `Ananya' is simultaneously a venue for vital creativity and choreographic daring -- a festival that renders irrelevant the duality of the classical and the contemporary.

Each year `Ananya' is held at the picturesque Purana Qila.

Built in the 16th Century by Humayun and completed by Sher Shah Suri, it stands on the ruins of Indraprastha.

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