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Kuchipudi dance for Ugaadi celebrations
A deeply poetic experience, combined with a dash of drama and conveying a rare sense of harmony. So refined and beautiful is kuchipudi, the Andhra Pradesh-born classical dance, that any opportunity to watch a live performance is an event in itself. A gala show programmed at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC), in Phoenix, on Sunday evening was like a natural extension to the celebrations of the Telugu New Year, Ugaadi.
Ugaadi 2005 is named Paarthiva, from the word Paarthivudu (king)- also one name of Arjuna. A direct reference to Krishna, protector of the universe, and Arjuna, both prominent figures in the Bhagavad Gita. For this very special occasion, Mrs Sailaja?s group, a company of ten kuchipudi dancers and musicians from India, has been here since last Friday and is performing dance and carnatic music from the 8th to the 15th May.
Among the items presented : allegoric compositions portraying Lord Krishna?s pranks - he lifted Govardhana Mountain to save shepherds. This piece ends with a typical dancing over the rim sequence. Another portrayed Lord Shiva as Nastaraja, the destroyer of ignorance.
<B>Expressive features</B>
Kuchipudi takes its name from the village where it was born. Like some other major forms of dance, it has evolved a lot during the past centuries. Its expressive features, wavy hand movements in rapid tempos, dancing performed over the rim of a brass plate with a vessel full of water, have progressively integrated a strong theatrical element. It has evolved into a solo tradition in recent times.
The present shows result from the combined efforts of the ICCR, India, the Mauritius Telugu Cultural Centre Trust (MTCCT), the IGCIC and the Ministry of Arts and Culture.
Tonight, the group is presenting a show in Rivière-du-Rempart. Another one is scheduled tomorrow in Circonstance, St-Pierre. The closing shows are on Thursday 12th in Plaine-Magnien and Sunday 15th in Surinam. All shows start at 7 p.m. and entrance is free.
<B>Robin RAMPERSAD</B>
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