The finale of the silver jubilee celebration of Nrityadham, an institute imparting training in Kathak dance established by danseuse Prerana Deshpande (acclaimed senior disciple of Pandita Dr Rohini Bhate) is set to enthral the Pune audience today. An year-long celebration named Sam Se Sam Tak was held to mark the occasion. Sam, in classical music terminology, means a new beginning.
As part of the finale segment, an innovative concert called Shanyayan 7.5 Beats and Bells will be performed by Deshpande’s daughter, the young and talented Ishwari, along with other talented artists. Sitar maestro Pt Ravi Chary will present Taal ‘Shanyayan’ of 7.5 beats created and composed by Deshpande.
In this innovative presentation of Kathak, the Taal concept, which is unique to Indian classical music, is adapted to rhythm-dominated African, Latin American and Western drums. It will be a visual and audio treat.
Sam Se Sam Tak had a grand opening with ‘Taal-Mala’, then a three-day long ‘Dancing Flames’ festival and a unique concert named ‘Tridhara’ which brought three stalwart dancers of the country namely Sujata Mohapatra (Odissi), Prerana Deshpande (Kathak) and Rama Vaidyanathan (Bharatanatyam) together on one stage. Umang Tarang, the fourth concert in the series covered all aspects of Kathak as disciples from Pune and even abroad performed on the occasion. Now, this series reaches the finale (Sam), but Deshpande says it is also a new beginning.
Ahead of her performance in the city, we chat up Ishwari to find out more about the innovative concert.
The Unique Concept
“Even though this is my presentation, what is unique about the concept is that there is an eclectic ensemble of percussion and musical instruments by a number of talented artists that will bring a different kind of life to the stage,” says Ishwari. She points out that the concert is her guru Preranaji’s concept and is dedicated to the Shani Graha (Saturn). “As per Hindu beliefs, Saturn or Shani has negative effect on the lives of people,” she adds.
Ishwari says that the way the segment is choreographed, it is a representation of the sade sati or the 7.5 years that Shani is said to dwell in Hindu rashis (moon signs), one by one. People born in a rashi in which Shani is present, are said to be affected by this phenomenon. Ishwari will be accompanied by Krushna Salunke (pakhawaj), Umesh Warbhuvan (Western percussion), Shravan Samsi (drums), Aditya Apte (vocal) and Abhishek Shinkar (harmonium). “We consider ourselves blessed since Pt Ravi Chary, who is internationally acclaimed in world music, will be participating in this specific segment,” says Ishwari.
She explains that pakhawaj acts as the binding thread between the tradition and the modern concept of world music, to render an amazing collage of rhythms manifested through Kathak.
The Millennial Connect
According to Ishwari, millennials usually look and perceive classical dance forms as slow and extremely traditional — something that they probably cannot connect with. “As a generation, they like abstract forms and a certain chaos to the performance, so when it comes to my act in the finale, I am sure that they will instantly connect with it because it is not just a solo Kathak performance, but there are different elements on the stage that will bind the performance together — a variety that the millennial will connect with,” says Ishwari.
She also adds that since the concept is innovative and astrological, it is sure to please the young generation.
ST Reader Service
Shanyayan 7.5 Beats and Bells will be held at Shakuntala Jagannath Shetty Auditorium, Erandawane on June 29 at 6.30 pm. Tickets are available on bookmyshow.com
