An ode to dance
SHYAMHARI CHAKRA
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The Konark dance festival entertained the audience with different dance forms.
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SPECTACULAR SHOW Dance troupes added warmth to the winter evenings .
Like the majestic and magnificent Sun temple of Konark, the Konark national festival of Indian classical dances, conducted here every year by the Orissa Government, stands apart for its ambience and performances. And carrying ahead the 18-year-old legacy, the just concluded five-day festival went off pretty well.
The aesthetically designed open-air auditorium with the well-lit black pagoda serving as its perfect backdrop and a green belt of plants all around, as the troupes added warmth to the winter evenings by their spectacular shows. The event, with two performances every evening, showcased seven styles - Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Chhow, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Sattriya, the youngest Indian classical dance form from the north-east that had its maiden performance at Konark this year.
Odissi, being Orissa's own dance form, had a lion's share in the festival with four of the ten troupes that may be termed as `an overdose of Odissi'. Ironically enough, while the three troupes from the state failed to make any impact on the audience, it was the Bangalore-based Nrityagram dance ensemble that was the real show stealer.
With star dancers Surupa Sen and Bijayini Satpathy, the globetrotting troupe stormed the stage with their display of exceptional synchronisation, creation of powerful imagery and pulsating performances throughout.
The other troupe that left a lasting impression upon the spectators was from Bangalore too. Kuchipudi dancer-choreographer Vyjayanthi Kashi and her young troupe members presented both traditional and contemporary compositions. While Shrushti, a brief dance-drama depicting the emergence of the universe, was impressive for its stagecraft, costumes and teamwork, it was amazing to watch Kashi's teenaged-daughter Prateeksha performing the complex piece of Ardhanariswara with ιlan, in a duet with her mother. Well-known Mohiniattam dancer Pallavi Krishnan and her troupe from Kerala were enchanting as the dance form itself. The troupe's superb synchronisation both in the pure and expressional dance numbers was their hallmark. Assam's Sattriya dance received rave response from the audience that had no exposure to this youngest Indian classical dance style. Accompanied by simple and soul-stirring music and clad in elegantly-crafted costumes, the troupe led by pioneer dancer Sharodi Saikia presented an exciting jugalbandi of dancers and musicians on stage in vandana. They concluded with an impressive presentation of Dasavatara ballet.
The unmasked Chhow dance of Mayurbhanj, another unique martial dance style of Orissa that was presented by Mayur Art Centre of Bhubaneswar, was captivating for its wonderful teamwork, vigorous presentation and an excellent stage-space exploration. The most moving presentation was the war dance number that was specially choreographed way back in 1912 for the visit of King George V of England to India. Mumbai-based Kathak exponent Uma Dogra had a grip over the audience with her intricate footwork apart from the fast and fluid movements.
However, barring the episode on Devi Durga, the team members failed to supplement Uma's spirit.
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