www.thestar.com

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, September 23, 2006: A 10-day festival featuring Indian dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Chhau started on September 22 at the Harbourfront. “Troupes from India, South Africa, Malaysia, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S., as well as Canada, will present dance based on modern interpretations of the Indian epics or blend traditional Indian styles with Western or African dance forms. Indians who have settled all over the world have adapted traditional dance styles to the cultures where they live. A dance troupe from South Africa will present a fusion of Bharatanatyam with Zulu dance at the festival, while a British group will perform Bharatanatyam paired with ballet, ” the news release explains. Sudha Khandwani, the festival’s artistic director, says, “We wanted to showcase the current evolution in Indian dance as it has travelled outside of India and taken root with the diaspora in other places and cultures. Dance does help to pass on the culture, because of all our art forms it is highly narrative and tells stories of the Hindu epics, so children can learn the culture through dance. But there is also tremendous visual beauty in these dance forms.” Rasesh Thakkar, the festival’s co-producer and brother to Khandwani, adds, “The source is still the great epics, but from a contemporary point of view reflecting contemporary sensibilities and issues. People of Indian origin who are born and raised out of India straddle two cultures in their lives, and it is quite expected that in their artistic expression also they would blend dance forms. The human body is the common heritage of all dance forms, though different dance styles use it differently. Indian dance styles are very firmly rooted on the ground, while ballet is more airborne.” In summary the article says, “The festival also presents workshops and talks by international scholars and critics, examining issues such as how to remain true to tradition while giving full scope to creativity.”

Post Views: 664