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Flamenco flights
P. ANIMA
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Manuela Carrasco’s Flamenco performance recreated the spirit of Spain.
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Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Power and grace Manuela Carrasco in performance.
Number 12, Prithviraj Road, House of the Spanish Ambassador, came alive with lights over the weekend. The security was tight and as cars zipped in and out, brawny fire-eaters welcomed the guests. The occasion was the Spanish National Day and quintess
ential Spain was for every one to see.
The highlight of the evening was a breathtaking Flamenco performance by the Spanish maestro Manuela Carrasco and her group. Heralded as a stalwart of Flamenco, Manuela showed why she is still the empress on the Flamenco stage.
Well-supported by her circle of artistes to the accompaniment of the guitar, claps and frequent shouts of “Ole!,” Manuela and her group brought to life the spirit of the land of bull-fighting and the gypsies. For many in the audience, it was an introduction to Flamenco. The Flamenco, an undeniable part of the Spanish identity, especially of the gypsies, brought to fore their earthiness, their flair for music, rhythm and dance.
Sublime show
As the accompanying artistes began the music and the instruments gathered tempo, Manuela, clad in polka-dotted flowing black and white dress, walked in to perform “A taste of the sublime.” Soon the singers sitting in a semi-circle took turns to pep her up with their songs and the claps and the taps reached the crescendo. Manuela’s steps too gathered steam.
It culminated in a flurry of furious taps and movements from the veteran. Even as she soaked in the music and the strums around her, her face fixed in concentration, her taps rhythmic, the grace of Manuela’s fingers was not to be missed. The performance highlighted the power of her feet, the energy, zest and her grace. The other artistes on stage too proved they were no lesser dancers. As Manuela retreated, they took over the stage. It was music and dance from them till Manuela re-appeared in a flaming red dress. The artiste, who has no formal education and who performed for the first time at the age of 11, gave another glimpse of her expertise in her second coming too. The entire evening was a celebration of everything Spanish – from Don Juan to Don Quixote, everyone found a mention. The focus of the evening’s event was on the Spanish region of Andalusia, the place best known for Picasso, Lorca and of course the Flamenco.
The Regional Minister for the Presidency of Andalusia Gaspar Zarrias Arevalo, the Spanish Ambassador Ion de la Riva and the Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma too took part in the event. To round it off was quintessential Spanish food from tapas to paella. The Spanish porcelain brand Lladro too displayed their wares here.
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
|
