NYUAD’S Arts Center to host cultural programme
ABU DHABI: Ahuti by Nrityagram Dance Ensemble in collaboration with Chitrasena Dance Company, debuts at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (Nyu ad) on february 17 at 7:30 pm. the performance and live online pre-show conversation represent a lively and engaging dialogue between the distinct dance traditions of South India and Sri Lanka, in the second cross-cultural collaboration between the two acclaimed companies. Available for view exclusively on The Arts Center website, Ahuti was filmed at Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Bangalore, India in 2019. Audiences can book free tickets to watch the show online. Note that this program will not be available on demand and can only be watched at the scheduled time.
Ahuti has been brought to life under the artistic direction of Surupa Sen, the first student to ever graduate from Nrityagram–one of the world’s leading dance companies. Accompanied by a group of five musicians playing ragas, the fluid and precise Odissi classical dance aims to bring the stories of the Hindu epics to life. Meanwhile, Chitrasena’s Kandyan form leans more towards the muscular, vertical, and athletic. Both companies incorporate percussion in their music and are rooted in ancient religious rituals. The collaboration represents the reciprocation of differing styles of expression, shiting from one to the other throughout.
Centered around the season’s continuing theme, ‘A Bridge’, the performance highlights the important role that The Arts Center plays in connecting cultures and traditions, showcasing significant artists, and delivering an eclectic mix of programming to cater to its diverse audiences.
Executive artistic director at The Arts Centre at NYUAD Bill Bragin commented: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring innovative and boundary-breaking performances, such as Ahuti, to our growing online community. Our mission from the outset has been to take a bold and inventive approach to programming, creating a crucial plaform for cross-culture appreciation and understanding. Ahuti represents a contemporary reimagination of classical and traditional dance forms. It also reflects a deeply rooted East-east collaboration which brings together and extends the rich arts of India and Sri Lanka in a manner that will deeply resonate with contemporary audiences from all backgrounds.”
The Nrityagram School is a renowned center of learning where dancers from all over the world gather to live in an environment that aims to nurture artistic exploration and development. The School’s aim is to prepare dancers for careers that combine performance with teaching, community outreach, and leadership. To enrich their practice, dancers are taught yoga, meditation, and martial arts along with Sanskrit and ancient dance scriptures. Choreographers, musicians, writers, and theater practitioners from all over the world visit, to perform and conduct workshops and seminars in their area of practice.