Press Release
On the occasion of ‘World Dance Day’, Jawahar Kala Kendra presented three brilliant ‘Astha Nayika’ classical dance performances at Rangayan. Renowned dancers, Lipsa Sathpaty, Rashmi Uppal and Sneha Chakradhar presented a dance extravaganza which was manifestation of their talent and skill. The performances explored the different Avastha ‘state’ of a Nayika (heroine) towards her Nayak (hero/lover).
The cultural evening began with an Odissi performance by Lipsa Sathpaty. To depict the Nayika-Bheda, she used the text from the immortal poem, ‘Gita Govinda’. The dance piece was based on ‘Raas Leela’ format of Orissa. Ms. Sathpathy presented 4 Nayika Bhedas – ‘Vasakasajja’, ‘Virahotkanthita’, ‘Khandita’ and ‘Svadhinabhartruka’.
This was followed by a Bharatnatyam performance by Sneha Chakradhar. She presented a ‘Varnam’ depicting ‘Virahotkanthita Nayika’ in Bharatnatyam style. She flawlessly combined pure dance with abhinaya (acting). The dance piece presented a ‘Nayika’ (Lord Karthikeya) who is distressed by her lover’s absence and suffers the pain of separation and yearns for a reunion.
The evening concluded with a Kathak performance by Rashmi Uppal, who presented ‘Khandita’ and ‘Svadhinabhartruka’ in Kathak style. The performance showcased a ‘Nayika’ whose beloved has not returned home and has instead spend the night with another woman. In her second piece, Ms. Uppal presented a woman whose beloved loves her very much and she tries to control him. Ms. Uppal was accompanied by Ashish Gagani (Pakhawaj), Mohit Gagani (Tabla) and Rajendra Mehwal (Vocal and Harmonium).