Seher presents Ananya Dance Festival

On October 11, 2008 at around 7pm the darkness of twilight will convert to the luminosity of the majestic Ananya Dance Festival at Purana Qila. For this, Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Sahitya Kala Parishad has joined hands with Seher, India’s leading cultural organization, to bring about a cultural revolution in the country.

“In this age of television boom and growing TRP’s of reality television—our heritage and culture needs to be preserved and marketed smartly amongst the youth or else there is a danger that most of it would be declared intangible heritage shortly ”, says Sanjeev Bhargava, Festival Director, Ananya Dance Festival.

Ananya is an attempt to showcase Indian classical dance in its pure form but packaged sleekly for the younger generation and first time enthusiasts of Indian culture. ANANYA: ‘The Unparalleled - A dialogue of Indian classical dance with heritage monument’ is Seher’s annual dance festival which celebrates the beauty of Indian classical dance forms and focuses on group choreography in particular.

One of the highlights of Ananya’08 is that it would be Kalakshetra’s first performance after renowned danseuse Leela Samson took over as the famed institution’s director. Moreover, in keeping with Ananya’s tradition of identifying younger and lesser known talent, two of Delhi’s young dancers Malti Shyam and Jayaprabha Menon would be creating a special cite-specific choreography at Purana Qila. This year’s Ananya is also being keenly awaited because of hosting Jai Kishore’s (Kuchipudi) first group performance in Delhi. Also, this year SEHER has gone one step ahead in adding an academic perspective to performing arts with a two-day interactive seminar on October 13^th & 14^th at Alliance Francaise titled Pratibimb where stalwarts like Leela Samson, Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and Jai Kishore Mosalikanti among others would reflect on the varied nuances of group choreographies.

The festival begins with the famed institution Kalakshetra from Chennai, who are renowned for featuring different styles of music and dance from across the country. Choreographed by Leela Samson, they will be performing the most popular and widely performed dance style Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form originating from Chennai. Says Director, Kalakshetra, Leela Samson: “Our presentation begins with a keerthanam (song) on Lord Shiva’s Ananda Tandava, followed by Kalinga Nartanam which speaks of Lord Krishna’s victory over cobra king Kalinga. Then we have tried to do a dance theatre narrative through the French novel – The Three Musketeers and lastly the grand finale would be a medley of three Tillanas.”

This will be followed by another traditional dance form from Kerala, Mohiniattam by Jayaprabha Menon. One of the most accomplished dancers of the new generation and a disciple of Padmashree Guru Bharthi Shivaji, Jayaprabha’s dance is rooted in tradition. Her themes are not only contemporary and interpretative, bold and novel but, she also blends in her dance a refreshing originality with traditional discipline. Says Jayaprabha, “At this Ananya Fest, we will be performing Layalahiri, a combination of Kathkali (a representation of tandava) and Mohiniattam (an expression of lasya - an extremely feminine, graceful and fluid type of dance). In this particular choreography the contrasts and similarities of these two major art forms of Kerala will be explored.”

Another accomplished participating choreographer is veteran Guru Durga Charan Ranbir who will be presenting Odissi, the classical dance form of Orissa in north-east India. Says Durga Charan Ranbir, “Odissi’s color, rhythm and gaiety evolve from the sculpture of the temples. Its spontaneity and outflow of ecstasy is unparalleled, depicting beauty and subtlety, grace and charm while being completely engrossed in the varied moods and sentiments of sringar rasa.” His troupe will start with Siba Mangalacharan (offering of flowers by the dancers on the manchprabesh followed by bhumi pranam and a prayer to deity of choice); Sthayee (based on sabdaswarapata and shilpasastra) and Aditya Archana (prayer to the sun god).

A highly sought after nattuvanar, Jai Kishore Mosalikanti has not only mastered the intricate Kuchipudi style of Andhra Pradesh but also developed a unique personal style with innovative use of rhythm and rhythmic variations. Says Jaikishore, “the innovative choreography we have used retains the essence of Kuchipudi form. With lilt and drama, the dance is rooted in classical poetry, appropriate raagam and an expert play with rhythm which is always with strict adherence to taalam.” At Ananya, Jaikishore will be showcasing his recent works along with five dancers. They are Kuchipudi Nrityamaalika (traditional prayer song to the goddess Balatripurasundari of Kuchipudi Village); Saraswati Stuti (in praise of Saraswati); Tarangam (praise of Shiva); Keerthanam (the dancers portray the beauty and charm of the gopikas who are adorning themselves and getting ready to join Krishna on a boat ride on the river Yamuna) and Thillana (creates a mood of joy and climax of the performance with complex rhythmic movements, footwork and patterns).

The finale of Ananya Dance Festival ’08 is with Malti Shyam’s performance of Kathak, the major classical dance form of northern India. Belonging to the Lucknow Gharana, Malti credits her growth and formation as a dancer, her energy and inspiration to the great master Pandit Birju Maharaj expert guidance in all aspects of Kathak. Says Malti, “At Ananya, our presentation begins with prayers offered to the Lord of the Lords Shiva. Then there is the Thumri (tender, evocative turn of wrists); Dadra that gets into the heart of the stealer of hearts, and last is the Tarana and Sargam.”

Special Feature of the festival: SEHER presents a two day interactive seminar - PRATIBIMB (A reflection on Ananya Dance Festival) with the artistes of Ananya Dance Festival’ 08 will take place at Alliance Francaise de Delhi, 72, Lodi Estate, New Delhi on October 13^th & 14^th , 2008 from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. The eminent panel of speakers will include Leela Samson, Jayaprabha Menon, Guru Durgacharan Ranbir, Jai Kishore Mosalikanti and Malti Shyam.

The five day festival starts from October 11, 2008 till October 15, 2008 at Purana Qila, New Delhi

Programme

(Featuring group choreographies)

Saturday, October 11, 2008: 7 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.

Bharatanatyam: Kalakshetra

(Chennai)

Sunday, October 12, 2008:7 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.

Mohiniattam: Jayaprabha Menon and group

(Delhi)

Monday, October 13, 2008: 7 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.

Odissi: Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and Nrutyayan group (Bhubaneswar)

Tuesday, October 14, 2008: 7 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.

Kuchipudi: Jai Kishore Mosalikanti and group

(Chennai)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008: 7 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.

Kathak: Malti Shyam and group

(Delhi)

Special Highlight:

October 13 & 14 October, 2008

Two day interactive seminar - PRATIBIMB (A reflection on Ananya Dance Festival) with the artistes of Ananya Dance Festival’ 08 will take place at Alliance Francaise de Delhi, 72, Lodi Estate, New Delhi on October 13^th & 14^th , 2008 from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.