8-day National Classical Dance Festival begins today

SD Sharma
Chandigarh, October 23

The North-Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, is organising an eight-day National Classical Dance Festival where top maestros and troupes from various regions will perform a spectrum of classical dances. The festival will begain on October 24 at Kalagram.

On October 24, the Kuchipudi dance which combines ‘lasya’ and ‘tandava’ will be presented by Guru Vyajanathi Kashi. She is one of India’s most respected classical dancers. She has performed in India and in 28 countries.

On October 25, the elements of the Kathakalli dance, dominates in this dance drama format of classical dance from Kerala, to be presented by Guru Sadanam Balakrishnan, a renowned Kathakali composer, choreographer, and director. He is known for his contributions to the art form by way of performance, research and propagation.

Ranjana Gauharm, a world renowned Odissi dancer, trained under legendary Guru Mayadhur Raut, will be performing at the festival on October 26.

Gauharm is a multifaceted artist as she has worked in theatre, films, production, choreography, dance education and painting. She has also authored a book titled, Odissi – The Dance Divine.

Mohiniattam or the Kerala Nritya, performed by female artistes, is full of charm. Versatile choreographer and danseuse Jayaprabha Menon and her troupe will perform here on October 27.

The new entrant to classical dances of India — Sattriya dance — will be presented by Dr Anjana Moyee Saikia and her troupe from Guwahati on October 28.

The Manipuri dance form reaches the heart of the nature and epitomizes its beauty and its riches. On October 29, it will be presented by the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, which is a constituent unit of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.

Kathak classical dance, associated with the Natwari nritya performed by Lord Krishna is a leading dance form of the North, Trained by Gopi Krishna, Vidushi Geetanjali Lal and troupe will perform the dance form here on October 30.

The oldest dance form of India — Bharatantyam — is steeped into religious traditions. The artistic director of Bharatnatya, Niketan Vidushi Vani Raj Mohan, and troupe will perform on the concluding day of the dance festival on October 31.

All performances will start at 6.30 pm.