On the Virtual Stage On the virtual stage of Apsaras Arts, we are excited to have premiered a series of new works in the month of September. Starting with the Dance India Asia Pacific inauguration at Singapore, a collaborative presentation of three classical dance styles, Kanna Va was released, in quest of the divine love of Lord Krishna. Natya lahari was premiered by Raga online series by Esplanade Theatres on the Bay in collaboration with Apsaras Arts, featuring 14 Singapore dancers across the industry, presenting six choreographies by DIAP faculty members. In remembrance of legendary M S Subbulakshmi on her birth anniversary, “Geetham Madhuram” a digital dance presentation by Apsaras arts Dance Company was premiered. We are humbled by the encouraging support we have received from our viewers of all these new digital presentations through likes, comments and shares.
On September 4th, at the Dance India Asia pacific inauguration, IndianRaga Singapore in partnership with Apsaras Arts premiered a collaborative dance video “Kanna Va.”
“Kanna Va” depicts three searches with one quest for the divine love of Kanna (Krishna).
A nayika who pines for another meeting with her beloved Krishna.
A nayika who yearns just to get a glimpse of Him.
A nayika who relives His embrace.
Just as their experiences differ, so do their forms.
Featuring three dancers presenting the styles of Bharathanatyam, Kathak and Odissi, Kanna Va showcases the seamless co-existence of solo abhinaya experiences in an ensemble setting. Notice how the three dancers do not have any interaction with each other yet have a common connection through their love for Krishna individually. The seamless use of a common ensemble space while showing the individual styles and expressions is a delight to watch.
What makes this performance even more special is the soulful rendition of a Tamil song as the supporting music for all three dance forms – truly bringing to life the message that dance and music are beyond boundaries!
Credits:
Creative Director & Choreography: Mohanapriyan Thavarajah
Original Music composition: Madurai R Muralidharan
Singer: G Srikanth
Performed by Apsaras Arts Dance faculty members:
Bhartnatyam- Seema Hari Kumar
Kathak- Shivangi Dake Robert
Odissi- Soumee De
On September 11th, Dance India Asia pacific in collaboration with Esplanade theatres on the Bay, Raga online series, premiered NATYA LAHARI, a dance presentation that showcased selected choreographies learnt at the master classes held over the years during Dance India Asia Pacific (DIAP) programme. Performed by Singapore dancers, it included three Indian classical styles such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Odissi, which have held regular workshops at DIAP since 2012. The choreographies featured in NATYA LAHARI were creative works by DIAP faculty members Shreejith Kirshna, Priyadarshini Govind, Rama Vaidhyanathan, Bragha Bessell (Bharatanatyam), Vaishali Trivedi and Birju Maharaj (Kathak) and Ratikant Mohapatra (Odissi).
The online showcase commences with a Ganesh Vandana followed by the Kathak dance Sargam and Thevara Thirattu in Bharatanatyam. Following this Ardhanareesawara Ashtakam is presented in Bharatanatyam, subsequently a pure dance item called Pallavi delivered in the Odissi tradition, Javali in Bharatanatyam before the showcase concludes with a pure dance item called Thillana, in the Bharatantaym style Click Here.On September 15th, IndianRaga Singapore in partnership with Apsaras Arts Dance Company premiered a new work as a tribute to the legend M S Subbulakshmi on her birth anniversary (September 16). “Geetham Madhuram” is a dance presentation that brings to life 2 musical masterpieces popularised by MS Subbulakshmi – Madhurashtakam and Kurai Onrum Illai. Madhurashtakam expresses the qualities and deeds of Lord Krishna which have been described to be as sweet as nectar. The dancers dazzle as Gopis with their interpretations of Lord Krishna and bring out the experience of Madhura Bhakti (the Divine Love). The Gopis subsequently dance to the beautiful Kurai Onrum Illai melody blending into the Madhurashtakam piece. As beautifully depicted by the dancers, this segment highlights how in the divine grace of the Lord and his benevolence, there is nothing more to ask for! Immerse completely in the devotion depicted by the Gopis who also represents the relentless pursuit of the Atman to be one with the Paramaatman. Artistic Director: Aravinth Kumarasamy Choreography: Mohanapriyan Thavarajah Music composition: Dr Rajkumar Bharathi Singer: Savita Narasimhan
Performed by
Ashmita Prakash
Kshirja Govind
Nikita Menon
Maanasa Sri Ganesh
