Transcend life through rich culture

IN A production that depicts the rhythmic cycle of life through Shastriya Sangeet (Indian classical music and dance), three soloists will unite for the Taal Chakara show this month.

In Taal Chakara, the artists perform spiritually uplifting acts. The show will be staged at the Aryan Benevolent Homes Pattundeen Theatre in Chatsworth on March 19.

Kanada Narahari (sitar player), Shri Revash Maharaj (tabla player) and Shri Manesh Maharaj (Kathak dancer) will have starring roles.

This show, presented by Kala Darshan, an institute of classical music and dance, and conceptualised by Manesh Maharaj, aims to preserve and propagate the rich cultural heritage of Indian classical music and dance in South Africa.

Maharaj said Taal Chakara reflects the natural process of life through specific art forms.

“As it progresses in this production, the artists are able to communicate with the audience through their instrumental and rhythmic performance.

“The Taal Chakara confines the artists to various rhythmic time cycles while affording them freedom for creative expression,” he said.

Maharaj said each instrument in the production had a deeper meaning than the audience might perceive.

“We greet the material world with the natural rhythm of our heart beat, manifested through the pulsating rhythms of the tabla.

“Our perception of our surroundings, our senses and nature are brought to life by the strings of the sitar.

“With life’s poetic imagery, we transcend to express our experiences and emotions through movement, which is captured through kathak.

“The artists will invoke the spiritual energy of 5 Taalas, namely Roopaktaal (7 beats), Jhaptaal (10 beats), Choutaal (12 beats), Dhamartaal (14 beats) and Teentaal (16 beats). Each unfolds its beauty and magic before the viewer,” he said.

Maharaj said the artists had prepared for six months.

“The performing arts is a universal language that transcends barriers. We need 24 hours a day to live a structured lifestyle and this production explores as well as reflects this cycle,” he said.