Indian classical dance to impart Bapu’s teachings
Afeast for your aesthetic senses await as artists of national and international repute come together to perform at the annual celebration of classical dances at the Lalit Arpan Festival. From dance ballet on Swachh Bharat to kathak recitals, the 18th year festival will commence by celebrating Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. It will stage two productions on Gandhi.
Kathak danseuse and Padma Shri awardee Shovana Narayan, who conceptualised the show and will be staging the dance ballet, Rashmirathi, says, “We try to relate elements of our classical dance with a narrative that the youth can identify with. In this endeavour, we have succeeded in engaging their attention. Through this festival, we present various dimensions of the rich canvas of classical performing arts through solo and group presentations, dance dramas, ensembles and many more. Even after several years, people come to us narrating how our performances have impacted their lives.”
Kathak dancerKomal Biswal, who will stage a 40minute performance, says, “My experience has been amazing and I’ve learnt a lot from Shovana Narayanji. I’ll be performing at the Lalit Arpan festival for the first time. I’ll start my performance from Tripali, followed by Devi Stuti and will proceed to Ashtmangal taal, a cycle of 11 matra.” In its 18th year, the festival has seen over 95 pioneering Indian classical performances and this year, the two-day festival will see four performances. Kavita Thakur, who will present a Swachh Bharat dance ballet with her group, says, “Dream of Swachh Bharat was close to Gandhiji’s heart. To present such kind of theme through classical dances is a challenge but the idea is creative and innovative. The classical dance technique connects with youngsters though its music.”