ARPAN - solo Kathak recital by Debashree Bhattacharya

Ranan and Samskritiki Shreyaskar present 'Arpan',

a solo Kathak recital by Debashree Bhattacharya

Friday, 7 June 2013

Gyan Manch

7pm

All are welcome. Call 9830015510 / 9830260206 for any further information.

"For those who believed in me through out and constantly pushed me – my guru, my parents, my family, and my very close friends,

I now believe I owe it to people to dance.  To develop my own confidence again, to explore what it is I have to offer people and try and share that through my dance.
Kathak is not limited to chakkar, footwork and Radha Krishna chedchad…. But A LOT MORE…

Depth

Elegance

Dignity

… not mere physical, technical skills

This realisation perhaps comes as an artist matures, and ‘Arpan’ looks Kathak through this approach."

- Debashree Bhattacharya

Programme notes from Debashree

1. Nibhrito Praner Debota
‘SEARCH’…..  What I am searching for…….
Individual self to larger Individual self?  When my sorrow becomes world’s sorrow….my happiness becomes world’s happiness. But easier said than done… very important – how you move from the individual self to larger individual self?How you reach out to people and open their eyes….

GOD? The other me…?   My Art?   The artist within me?

Have always believed the “POWER” lies within. The joy lies within us. Finding something larger ---------

NATURE = GOD

[*This composition has been choreographed with Smt. Vandana Alase Hazra. Scroll down for Choreographer's Note]

2. Traditional presentation

Vilambit and Drut Teentaal -

Exploring speed, tempo, fluidity of movements, grace, fast footwork & vibrant spins -------

linear & circular movements

How to explore “stillness” through all these – also elegance & grace, dignity.

3. Chatushpadi and Chakradharan

It portrays the charms of Krishna …… KAMDEVA – The God of Love. The beauty of Krishna’s attire & appearance, his love dalliance with the sakhis….. the poet is inspired to express this beauty as Immortal.

This is followed by a different Krishna as Warrior – CHAKRADHARO KRISHNA.

a very uncommon dance composition. You don’t usually get to see Krishna wielding the ‘CHAKRA’.

*Choreographer's Note for Nibhrito Praner Debota

The need or appropriateness to use a Tagore poem for a classical dance performance at all, is questionable. To add to this, it is not an easy task to dance to any and all of Tagore’s poem-songs even though the challenge to do so may be tempting. So often, the poetic text reflects the state of mind with such simplicity and lyrical beauty, that it most spontaneously urges movement. However, as one proceeds to ‘ choreograph’ the piece, there is the danger of either becoming ridiculously literal, or else ambiguous and vague. This was a challenge.

It is from these concerns that the song ‘Nibhrita Praner Debota’ was initially viewed with skepticism. However, as Debashree insisted, and the work proceeded, things happened. The notes of the evening raga holding the words most lightly within their fabric, revealed another degree of freedom, and the dance started building it’s own edifice drawing from the poetic fabric as well as the musicality.

The text is also interspersed with dance pneumonics at times so as to create space  and scope for movement and expansion of ideas.

Gist of the song

The song is addressed to the ‘seeker’. It expresses the futility of roaming endlessly in search of the divinity that dwells nowhere but in the innermost quarters of ones being - in deep seclusion. Once this is realized, there is a sense of awe, wonder, and joy. It relates the isolated seeker to the larger, why, largest conceivable universe and a sense of oneness with the ‘whole’ is experienced. It is only then that one’s existence, however small in proportion to the Hugeness of the Universe, becomes tremendously meaningful and joyous as it is an indivisible part of it.

The poet urges the seeker to realize this.

Choreography

 A lonely, solitary ‘seeker’ enters with the customary puja ‘thali’ only to realize the meaninglessness of ritual. The day has passed and evening has set, and yet life seems dull and meaningless.

The opening up to life with humility and acceptance creates a difference—the Universe unfolds its beauties and hidden treasures. The senses of sight, sound smell and touch are brimming with the abundance of life….the light of the day, fragrance of flowers, sounds of rushing streams, the touch of grass, all seem to declare their relationship with me. Here there is nothing ‘personal’, yet personally experienced. There is nothing to possess though endlessly granted. Nothing to lose even as it remains strangely elusive.

This experience then releases the tiny isolated self from its agony of ‘separateness’ to rejoice in the ‘light-festival’ of the Universe even as it participates in the Larger ritual, holding up its small lamp of glistening light.

~ Vandana Alase Hazra