CLASSICAL DANCE : Pratidhwani presents "Utkalani" Odissi Dance Ballet by Ipsita Behoora & group at Kamani Auditorium - 27th April 08

ipsita behoora odissi dance
  • Time : 7:30 pm
  • Event Details : Headed by Smt Ipsita behoora, the ballet is presented by the group of Pratidhwani. The ballet is to be performed by 45 dancers and the same includes dance styles other than Odissi classical dance, namely, Chhau nrutya, Oriya folk dance, and the lathi nrutya.
  • The some highlights of the ballet will be the Lathi Nrutya.
  • This is a folk dance form from Orissa. It was born while the bhakti culture was taking over the state. Cowherds or gwalas used to be a part of bhajan-kirtans and used to express their devotions by dancing, using their lathis or sticks as props. The dance form is on the verge of extinction leaving out a few dancers who lead a gypsy lifestyle, performing and earning whatever they can.
  • Also present will be Shri Nityananda Das, a handicapped odissi dancer from Orissa. Das was a skilled odissi dancer who lost a leg in a very unfortunate accident. While it was a more than obvious decision that he would never be able to dance, Das decided otherwise. He decided not to let go of his passion i.e., odissi classical dancing. For ten years he dedicated himself to finding balance and technique to suit his requirement. For ten years he spent polishing and practicing the dance form with all his dedication. His performance in this ballet will be one of the first after a decade of committed devotion.
  • Concept Note : Orissa in the past was referred to as Utkal, as well as Kalinga. In ancient times Orissa was a very prosperous and beautiful state, rich in business and commerce. Agriculture and business was always on the prosper. Warriors were known and feared. It was an unthinkable task to conquer the state which was also the reason it was independent for a very long period. People were proud of their motherland.
  • But as of today Orissa is known as one of the underdeveloped states of our country. It has become a place known for its temple and religious culture.
  • What was the reason behind this down fall? Why did Orissa lose all its glory and grandeur?
  • When Orissa was in the peak of it glory, the Emperor of Magadh, Asoka, cast his greedy eyes on this coveted kingdom in his insatiable desire to become Emperor of the entire nation. What followed was one of the most devastating wars of history, the Kalinga war. The warriors fought with all their might. Each one of them was felled by the humungous army of magadh. After that, even the common man, the farmers and the business men, all came down to fighting for their motherland. But alas! Asoka became successful in conquering the beautiful state.
  • What was left behind of the beautiful state? Death, devastation, blood, screams of women, children, and injured men. Asoka did give up violence and took up the more peaceful path of Buddhism, but Orissa could not get up on its own feet after the wreckage.
  • People who were left behind after the war took up the path of spiritualism. They believed this would help them attain nirvana or salvation which would release them from the pain of life and death. The entire state moved on to the path of bhakti or devotion to the Lord jagannath. This is how Orissa changed from being a business rich state to one that is rich in temple culture and the spiritual cult.
  • This is the story if UTKALINI, about the soul of the motherland of Orissa which is the main theme of the ballet by the same name.
CLASSICAL DANCE : Pratidhwani presents "Utkalani" Odissi Dance Ballet by Ipsita Behoora & group at Kamani Auditorium - 27th April 08 CLASSICAL DANCE : Pratidhwani presents "Utkalani" Odissi Dance Ballet by Ipsita Behoora & group at Kamani Auditorium - 27th April 08 Reviewed by rohit malik on Sunday, April 27, 2008 Rating: 5

No comments:

Comment Below