"When The Pleats Dance" an exhibition of Bharatanatyam Dance Costumes by Sandhya Raman, inspired by (Padmashri) Geeta Chandran at Main Building, India International Centre (IIC), Lodhi Estate > 11am-7pm on 10th to 21st June 2015

Time : 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

Add to Calendar 10/06/2015 11:00 21/06/2015 19:00 Asia/Kolkata "When The Pleats Dance" an exhibition of Bharatanatyam Dance Costumes by Sandhya Raman, inspired by (Padmashri) Geeta Chandran Event Page : http://www.delhievents.com/2015/06/when-pleats-dance-exhibition-of.html Art Gallery, Main Building, India International Centre (IIC), 40 Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi-110003 DD/MM/YYYY

Entry : Free (Seating on First-Come First-Served basis)
Note : Call 011-24619431 (IIC) to re-confirm any last minute change or cancellation of the event.

Venue : Art Gallery, Main Building, India International Centre (IIC), 40 Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi-110003
Venue Info : Events | About | Map | Nearest Metro Stations - 'Khan Market(Vilolet Line)' & 'Jor Bagh(Yellow Line)'
Area : Lodhi Road Area Events

Event Description : "When The Pleats Dance" an exhibition of Bharatanatyam Dance Costumes
by Sandhya Raman, inspired by (Padmashri) Geeta Chandran.

"Costumes begin their performance  when the dancer steps on to the stage"  
-- Sandhya Raman

Danseuse (Padmashri) Geeta Chandran has evolved an atypical holistic style of classical dance that occasionally borders on the contemporary. The costume’s ability to set the requisite tone at the start of a performance, is a moment of discovery, both for the audience, as it is for the dancer

When The Pleats Dance is a unique exhibition that traces the evolution of Bharatanatyam Dance Costumes over four decades and is based on the personal collection of  Geeta Chandran's costumes and jewellery  that have been  curated by designer Sandhya Raman. The exhibition is in collaboration with Natya Vriksha, Desmania Foundation and India International Centre.

Each decade represents an era in which the dancer explores the possibilities of experimentation with a pulse on traditional aesthetics. Beginning with the conventional pavadai (long skirt) Sandhya Raman experiments with the cycle-cut pyjama-style, saree and skirt style dance costumes, offering an introduction to the process of dance-costume designing, drawings and sketches, fabric samples, colour stories and other related, relevant elements.

Separated as costume theorised and designed over four distinct decades, the exhibition links dance, aesthetics and sociology, to narrate a different story through familiar and unfamiliar imagery that form four creative dioramas. The ingenious use of traditional fabrics in the costumes in various design styles, is further embellished with numerous drapes, making for a most remarkable design and visual journey. The dancer’s innovative choreography and desire to enhance her visual vocabulary and aesthetic construct, throws further light on creative collaborations which form a compelling narrative to this novel display.

The process of dance-costume designing emerges as choreography discussions, that yield to drawings and sketches. Fabric samples and colour stories are etched out and finally the pleats pressed into shape…

On the presentation, Geeta Chandran says, “My first realisation of costuming for dance came from my devadasi Guru Swarna Saraswathy who would wear shimmering Kanchipuram silks even to teach juniors like us. When she stood and tucked her pallu into her waist, the transformation was magical. She became a dancer. Subsequently, in my effort to re-imagine my dance. I worked on several aspects of performance. And of course, costuming became – and has remained,  an enduring passion. The past decade has been a unique collaboration with designer Sandhya Raman, who has curated this exceptional exhibition. I hope that my journey into the World of When The Pleats Dance will inspire other dancers and designers to explore how the dance can be enhanced further still, with the elements of aharya (costuming).”

On her journey of costume designing for When The Pleats Dance, Sandhya Raman says, "Costumes set the mood of any performance and bring centre stage the identity  adopted by the dancer "

Costumes photographed in action by Rakesh Sahai, and a display of dance jewellery add visual delight to this unusual exhibition.

To illustrate the link between movement and costume, dance demonstrations by senior dancers of Natya Vriksha have been arranged at 6:30 p.m. on June 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th. Through the performances, curator Sandhya Raman wishes to show / demonstrate how movement brings  costume design alive for dance. Thus, Sandhya Raman’s endeavour in ‘When the Pleats Dance’ resonates with the synergy between the dance, the dancer and the costumes. 
For information on Geeta Chandran, please view : www.geetachandran.in

Costume Designer : Sandhya Raman’s Profile:

Sandhya Raman cut her design teeth at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and has worked with dancers of national and International repute. She has worked with Malvika Sarrukai, Mallika Sarabhai, Leela Samson, Jonathan Hollandar, Aditi Mangal Das, Anita Ratnam and Geeta Chandran amongst others.

Wearing multiple hats for well over two decades she has been a successful Design Entrepreneur, Consultant, Mentor, and Design Advisor. Sandhya Raman's love affair with dance has honed her skills as a costume designer. Her keen eye for texture and fabric have led her to set new boundaries for the aesthetic vocabulary of classical dance.

Her understanding of the dance form has allowed her to evolve innovative costumes without detracting from the original spirit of the dance form. Sandhya’s work has been well received and she was awarded the Stree Shakti Puraskar and the UNFPA Creative Excellence Award. Her attempt to revive the use of traditional fabrics is a significant aspect of her work.
For information on Sandhya Raman, please view  : www.sandhyaraman.com

Related Links : Dance | Exhibitions