An evening of two exquisite choreographic works in Kathak & Bharatanatyam idioms

Articulate Trust for Arts brings to Mysuru, two choreographic works, one in chaste Kathak format and another in Bharatanatyam form during Articulate Festival series-33 on Sunday, the 17th February 2019 at Ramabai Govindarao Memorial Hall in the premises of Ganabharathi in Kuvempunagar starting 6 pm.

Mysore B. Nagaraj has choreographed this special work stringing compositions penned by Bindadin Maharaj who was in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Sha of erstwhile Awadh, now known as Lucknow.

Nine disciples of Nagaraj at the Articulate Dance Studios, Bengaluru, unfolds through the compositions Krishna’s influence on Maharaj Bindadin’s thoughts that became the grammar of Kathak, Krishna’s Pranks on the Gopis, Krishna’s influence on the hearts of the maids of Brindavan, Krishna’s realisation of Radha’s pure love and finally Radha-Krishna’s Jhoolan. What is otherwise thought of Kathak as just foot works and speedy turns, the work brings to forefront the abhinaya and the story-telling format back in vogue.

The lilting music and vocal rendition of Sri Shankar Shanboghue is mesmerising adding to an already enchanting choreography of The Lakshan Geet, Thumris, Bhajans and Bhaav.

Mysuru-born Nagaraj has put in his best efforts to create a beautiful canvas that blends the choreographic technique of his Guru Dr. Maya Rao and at the same time breath life onto the miniature paintings of Kangra that will surely captivate the audience.

Swiss-based dancer, teacher and choreographer Sujatha Venkatesh, along with her daughter-disciple Divya Venkatesh, brings her new choreographic work ‘Jala — The Dance of Water’ in Bharatanatyam format.

Performed by the mother-daughter duo, including a star billed cast of professionals from Bengaluru, Jala looks at how water connects all humankind together through cleverly conceptualised Bharatanatyam sequences, colourful costumes, specially composed music and audio-visual effects.

“Jala is a dedication to my grandmother, and women everywhere who face the hardships brought on by water scarcity, yet do their best for their families day after day with nothing but smiles on their faces. In such parts of the world, water is celebrated, revered, conserved — an appreciation that many of us who can access free flowing water so easily forget and don’t think twice about.  Every drop counts, and I’m thrilled to be able to convey this message through my art form,” says Sujatha Venkatesh, Artistic Director of Omkara School of Indian Dance, Geneva, Switzerland.

A performance that will awaken social consciousness through traditional dance arts.