Dance demystified!

Ashtanayikka, the  picturisation of ‘women in love’ in eight situations is a classical concept. The presentation of such a concept to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s lyrics by Sonal Mansingh as a troupe was amazing. They (Ashtanayikka)impressed the rasikas when they stretched their arms out to scatter the stars in space. The show was a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore, to mark his 150th anniversary. Off-beat choreography coupled with classical concepts, using different ragas, to weave the garland of situation for the Brahma Gana Sabha was excellent. The four dancers, who represented the classical dance styles of Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Mohini Attam and the male dancer ‘protagonist’, presented eight kinds of situations, as described in traditional literature, interspersed with the musical typical to that style, where Nayikka experiences love in its many dimensions. First,  Vasakasajja (wanting to meet the lover); Second, Abhisarika (leaving home to meet the lover); Third,  Vipralabdha (Lover not being seen at the appointed place); Fourth, Virahot kanthita (yearning for the beloved); Fifth, Khanditha (lover approaching after the appointed time and nayika hurling harsh words); sixth, Kalahatarita ( experiencing a sense of remorse); seventh, Proshita Patita (Nayika counting days for his return) and finally; eighth, Swadheenabhartrika (The happy meeting when the beloved returns)The Bhavas were explored, revealing the aesthetic pursuits. All the artistes with their own attributes of style and vision, recaptured and performed appreciably.The feminine graceful dances, were juxtaposed with the vigorous male dancing in Chhau style, depicting the Nayaka.The entire presentation directed and choreographed by this Padma Vibhushan Awardee, fulfilled every rule of the dance’s grammar and style, enhancing the aesthetic quality. It showed that her choreography was not of the hybridised variety, but innovating within the dance parampara. This undoubtedly required a genius like Sonal Mansingh to build a structure that transcended the mundane.

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