SAMARPAN
Samarpan comes from a Sanskrit word , which means to surrender or dedicate. Here, the dancer surrenders her art to the Goddess of Art and Knowledge herself, Goddess Saraswati in form of a Vandana /Prayer seeking her blessings as the dancer continues on her Path to self discovery through dance. This production concludes with a pure technical Kathak piece in a 16 beat cycle called ‘Teen Taal’
ROOTS
A dancer, at any stage of their dance progression keep revisiting their foundation and the training which has brought them this far and for us, this foundational training is the root, without which there is no growth. Nidhika and Sonali Loomba are presenting a pure technical Kathak piece called Tala Mala in which the various aspects of this art form are interwoven and characterized by elaborate footwork, rhythmic intensity and elegant stances.
Roots & Rhythm| Exploring the Kathak-Flamenco Kinship
Both Kathak& Flamenco depict a common ancestry, which is India, mainly – Northern India. Both dances started in private settings. Kathak stemmed from a village of nomadic storytellers who performed in courtyards and temples. Flamenco stemmed from the Gypsy culture of people who were oppressed and suffering, they often performed in Gypsy family courtyards and bars. Both dances relate to a specific type of peoples striving to keep a tradition, later moved into a more open context, Kathak into more lavish courts and Flamenco into non- Gypsy owned cafe cantantes. As the dances grew more popular they became more of a spectacular dance for an audience versus an individual expression of spirituality and emotion. Now these styles are internationally recognized and are national dances. Kathak & Flamenco employ improvisation, similar lyrical upper body movements and percussive footwork. With an obvious difference being that the Kathak artist dances barefoot and wears heavy ankle bells while the Flamenco dancer wears shoes. The gypsy culture is one of the prime factors which led to the exchange of cultures and art and that explains the similarities between the dances both in history and style/ technique.
Invocatory Dance -Ganesh Vandana
As per tradition every presentation would begin with a Ganesh Vandana, a composition in praise of Lord Ganesha, a deity who is most intelligent, most compassionate and remover of obstacles. Presented by Students of Kaladharaa Dance at their Annual Baithak, 2023.