A presentation of two stories in the Indian classical dance style called Bharatanatyam - one extolling Goddess Durga and her valor, and another about little Lord Krishna and his pranks. Follow me on Twitter @chinmayib to get updates on my rehearsals and background/ evolution of the pieces I will present.
Name - Durga Stuti (Prayer to Goddess Durga)
Description:
Energy or Sakthi is the source of everything. It is energy that empowers matter thus giving rise to life. Energy, thus being the creative aspect of life, was given a feminine manifestation and the worship of the Goddess played a significant role in Hinduism. Among the many manifestations of this Energy or Sakthi, is Durga, who is worshipped for the destruction of the fears and negative forces within us. She is portrayed as slaying Mahishasura – the bull headed demon who represents ignorance and evil.
The dance, choreographed by Ramaa Bharadvaj, begins with a Sanskrit prayer describing the many aspects of the Warrior goddess. This verse is believed to have been composed by the warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra in the story of Mahabharata. "Oh Katyayani, Victorious One, one who carries the flag with the peacock emblem, clad in golden ornaments, carrying the trident, shield and sword, sister of Krishna . Slayer of mahishasura, I bow to you oh Durga." This will be followed by Mahishasuramardhini prayer composed by St. Adi Shankara.
Name - Theerada Vilayattu Pillai (The ever-playful boy)
Description -
This piece, choreographed by Ramaa Bharadvaj to music by Sudha Raghunathan, is about Krishna and the pranks he plays with the Gopikas, the women of the village. The women are complaining about young Krishna’s mischiefs. In the following three stories Krishna plays on the women’s greed (by offering up a delicious fruit and giving it back after biting into it), jealousy (by enticing her with a beautiful flower and giving it to another Gopika), and vanity (by throwing mud on a meticulously dressed up Gopika).
Performing in front the Stage