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Nritya
Natya Kala Bharati's
Annual recital rocks Georgia Tech
BY
KAVITA CHHIBBER *
The
theme was the Wheel of time - but time stood still for nearly
five hours as students from Kumud and Sandeep Savla’s Dance
and Music Academy Nritya Natya Kala Bharati took center stage
at the Robert Ferst Center for the Arts auditorium at Georgia
Tech on May 18th, to present their annual recital.
Perhaps
the most endearing thing about Kathak as a dance form is its
free flowing style which gives you the freedom to do so much
even when you stay within the tradition.
Kathak
is one of the six major classical dance forms of India and
through song, dance and mime, rhythmically complex footwork,
and spinning, it depicts epic poems and myths in a dramatic
form. It focuses especially on the great Indian epics the
Mahabharata and the Ramayana and the Puranas of Sanskrit
literature. |
Initially
Kathak was used as a devotional presentation in temples but then it
graduated into the royal courts of both Hindu and Muslim rulers of
India. Soon a class of elegant courtesans and dancers made Kathak an
enticing and exhilarating form of visual phenomenon. It took on a
different hue in different regions. While you were dazzled by the
technical mastery of the Jaipur Gharana on one hand, you were seduced by
the sensuous and dramatic allure of the Lucknow gharana nurtured in the
courts of King Wajid Ali Shah who studied Kathak and was a poet
extraordinaire.
The
first half of the recital showcased various classical pieces that Kumud
Savla and her husband Sandeep create from scratch every year. “It is
really important also that whatever we present is diverse so that the
audience doesn’t get bored, because if the themes and footwork are
repetitive, then even an hour of classical presentation becomes tough to
watch,” says Kumud.
The
first half was a visual delight-with color, diverse age groups, and
classical pieces being presented on stage. You saw items from the very
basic with enchanting little girls from ages four onwards to the more
complex and breath taking rhythmic circles, hand movements and vigor for
the older teenagers who have been at the Academy for a few years. The
dancers danced to raga based taranas, prayers and had the audience
enraptured as a live orchestra comprising of both accomplished
professional and trained musicians like Alamgir, Mahua Mukerjee, Jayur
Patel, tabla player Dexter Raghunanan, Phillip Hollenback, Sandeep
himself, wonderfully gifted flutist Apurva Shrivastava, and the young
upcoming students from the music academy that Sandeep is rightly proud of.
The pros and the amateurs blended very well. Sandeep says creating the
pieces was the easy part. Getting everyone’s time coordinated for
rehearsals was the tough part. Many came in for just one and at times two
or three rehearsals because of other commitments. At times, said Sandeep
with a laugh, he would do the female vocals to fill in for the talented
Mahua Mukherjee.
The
cutest visuals are always with the little ones. Dressed in beautiful, colourful
Indian outfits, they stand there, wide eyed, speaking the bols under the
guidance of Kumud, and bring the house down each time.
There
were several students who have really improved over the years and their
grace and stylish performances were highlighted by some lovely
compositions, and complex footwork. One segment had the older group of
students perform 50 circles non stop-its exhausting just to watch them and
be amazed that they don’t fall down. But then the real pros do between
100-500 such circles!
The
classical segments was followed by a few non themed items to popular songs
like Jhooti Mooti mitwa sung beautifully by Mahua and Piya Basanti as
girls and boys danced away.
Easily
the show stopper for the evening was a special fusion performance by a
young highly talented dancer-25 year old Ira Cambric 111. Ira has won many
prestigious dance competitions, teaches modern dance and has performed in
Thailand and Japan. Ira and Kumud met by chance. While visiting Global
mall one day he saw the dance academy. Kumud was not in and he left his
profile. She was intrigued, and invited him to perform with them. They
barely practiced three times but he brought the house dance when he
performed with Kumud on Soona Soona, Sonu Niigaam’s hit from his album
Classically Mild. It was a great moment for world art as Indian dance met
ballet, jazz and hiphop and created its own fragrance. Later in the
evening Ira wore an Indian outfit and looking quite dashing performed
Indian steps that Kumud taught him for the finale.
The
grand finale was a dream come true for Kumud in a way. “For years, I
have had songs imprinted in my mind that I could never forget all the way
back from my childhood, Then along the way I would hear more songs that
would touch my heart and I would wonder how to put these songs to dance,
but could never figure out what would work. Then it occurred to me to may
be create a time cycle and present songs from each era. Then the phrase
Wheel of time got stuck in my head and that is how the project began.”
Kumud
looked over hundreds of songs from the very beginning once sound came into
films, and realized that it was the forties that began the rich, timeless
journey of unforgettable melodies that are still enchanting. The wheel of
time took the audience back to each decade starting from 1947 and reached
its zenith in 2008. Wrapped in its melodies was host for the segment
Shiraz Sharief, who ushered in each decade with couplets, anecdotes and
appreciation of the melodies and the melody makers of each era.
Evergreen
songs from Afsana likh rahi hoon, mere piya gaye Rangoon, jawan hai
mohabbat, hawa mein udhta jaye, to the blockbuster mera joota hai japani,
man dole mera tan dole, the outstanding Shola jo Bhadke,
to Kaaton se khinch ke yeh aanchal, Jhumka gira re, hoton pe aisi
baat, all the way to Om Shanti Om were performed, as the dancers pulled
all the stops, recreating each era with props, dance, dresses made
specially for the items from these films. Silent Killers again rocked the
stage as they stepped it up along with a couple of segments from younger
boys as well.
The
Academy is now taking a step further and committing itself to several projects which include creating scholarships
ranging from 1500 to 25,000 dollars, affiliating with leading Ivy League
Universities in the US and prestigious music schools in India to add a new
dimension to the school. This will in turn also benefit many of its
students. Focus on community work and certification, and references to
colleges at time of admission will soon be another perk of being part of
NNKB. Sandeep says he is also planning to have a small musical recital to
showcase the progress his music students have made.
The
emcees for the evening were the charming Viren Mayani, whose natural
warmth, knowledge of music and comfort on stage kept the evening rolling,
and Sammy Bhura who was doing double duty as emcee and spokesperson for
American United Bank, looking pretty in pink.
A
special thanks to the Savlas for allowing Nupur Gupta one of the students
to dedicate the grand finale to Sunil Kapahi who passed away on 11th
May. Sunil was an active community member, a big favorite of all the
children and never missed a recital, even though his two daughters are not
in the Academy. It was just how he was-always there for the young ones to
support any thing they did. This was especially poignant, because the
finale had all the songs he loved. I know he was watching from above and
giving a big thumbs up to every little child that tapped her/his feet to a
melody.
* Kavita
Chhibber is an accomplished freelance writer and media
personality. She writes for Dr Deepak Chopra's website www.intentblog.com.
She is well-known for her interviews of celebrities, authors and
public officials. But she also writes hard-hitting news articles and
cover stories for publications.
Photos by: Prashant, ByteGraph.com
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