Arresting images of an epic
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The Bharatiya Kala Kendra's ballet `Kamayani' was superbly executed.
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Man to Moksha: A scene from `Kamayani'.
The Bharatiya Kala Kendra presented a new ballet, `Kamayani', based on the epic poem by Jaya Shankar Prasad. Choreographed by Shobha Deepak Singh with assistance from Raj Kumar Sharma, this production brought to a close the Festival of Ballets hosted by the BKK over the past week. The BKK troupe has become known for its use of Mayurbhanj Chhau in many of its ballets, and the distinctive creative movement style - both free flowing and vigorous - associated with its dancers is due in large part to the use of this dance technique from East India. And while creating a ballet using a mix of styles is one thing, it is more challenging to restrict the choreography to one particular form, which the choreographer did in this case. To add to the challenge was the nature of the poem, which deals with philosophical concepts and whose narrative thread cannot be relied on to create the stage interpretation.
The final scene in which Shraddha leads Manu on the yogic path to self-realisation was beautifully conceived. On the stage were the two main characters and the corps de ballet, presenting yoga postures in acrobatic formations that were at once aesthetic and suggestive of the theme. As the audience applauded enthusiastically to each new formation, it was debatable how much philosophy was on people's minds, but there can be no doubt it was a superb scene, executed to near perfection.
Stamp of BKK
The rest of the ballet contained the stamp of BKK, with smooth changeovers and interesting group formations juxtaposed with intense duets. In the scene in which Ida's subjects awaken to Manu's encouragement, the arm movements seemed nether completely coordinated nor completely random. Purnima Roy as Shraddha and Swapan Mazumdar as Manu combined extremely well.
Their stamina, grace and coordination was to be admired. Havisha Sharma as Ida had the required haughty demeanour of intelligence devoid of emotion, but the character had a startlingly plain walk that contrasted with the stylised movements of the other dancers.
The leap-and-slide entry of the deer in Manu's hunting scene was impressive. It is a matter of pride for BKK to have a uniformly well-trained corps de ballet that can rise to the demands of such challenging choreography.
As this is a new production, which Shobha Deepak Singh says is the first she has choreographed herself fully, a few edges remain to be smoothened out. Music by Atul Desai was evocative if jarring in places. Light design by Gautam Bhattacharya added immensely to the mood and appeal of the presentation, while the costumes, designed by the choreographer, were aesthetic and appropriate for the dance style.
ANJANA RAJAN
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Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
