Sunday Tribune

SOUL DANCE

Classical diva lines up culture feast for Mitchell Park

- ARUSHAN NAIDOO

Soul Dance Takes to the Park. Verushka Pather and Sureka Singh take a classical Indian dance pose in front of the bronze bust of King Zwelithini kabhekuzul­u at Mitchell Park.

From page 1 PICNIC blankets and samoosas will mix with classical bharatnaty­am this morning as the Soul Dance programme breaks new ground in Durban’s popular Mitchell Park.

The free public performanc­e under the trees is the brainchild of India-trained dance diva Verushka Pather. She heads the Natya Ananda Fine Arts Academy, which promotes classical dance teaching and performanc­e.

“I’ve learned that, as with many forms of art, the purpose is to tell a story. The dancer is a canvas. Adorned in fine silk, jewellery and make-up, the dancer conveys emotion, passion and artistry through rhythmic gestures set to classical music,” she said.

Pather was ecstatic that the Mitchell Park Trust, chaired by local vet Drsanil Singh, embraced the idea. Public parks in the city and around the world have become popular as relaxed venues for concerts. The programme will also be a platform for Pather’s young protégés to show off their talents. The setting is especially poignant as it will be in front of the bronze busts of former president Nelson Mandela and King Goodwill Zwelithini.

The sculptures, along with the Sivananda Peace Pillar, were erected by philanthro­pist Ishwar Ramlutchma­n and unveiled by the king earlier this month.

With last month marking the arrival of the first Indian indentured labourers in South Africa, it is significan­t that the backdrop will also be the granite wall paying tribute to their sacrifices in building our economy and our democracy.

In addition to the dance programme, Pather said there would be displays of costumes and adornments, and samples of traditiona­l foods.

An unusual touch will be the painting of mandalas by members of the public under the direction of the White Canvas artists.

“Painting also gives the artist an opportunit­y to tell a story. An artist can capture a million moments in a single masterpiec­e,” said Pather.

She described the interest in the programme as “phenomenal”, especially since it broke out of the confines of the formal theatre into public spaces.

The programmes starts at 11am and is expected to end at 3pm. Pather suggested bringing a chair if reclining on the grass is not one’s cup of tea.

 ?? Arushan Naidoo ??
Arushan Naidoo

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