(Menarfin– Age of Khaleej) Posted: Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 3:46 pm
The UAE capital will get a taste of India’s rich artistic heritage through classical performances at an event at a dance academy this weekend.
‘Natya 2023’, the Natya Dance Training Institute’s annual daytime event, will feature artists from Kerala Kalamandalam, South India’s premier school for training traditional art forms.
The event, which will take place at two different venues on Saturday and Sunday, will feature a performance by senior students of the college, the Bharatana Dance, a well-known literary work by Indian Vedic scholar Adi Sankaracharya.
Concept and choreography were devised by Abu Dhabi resident Kalamandalam Krishna Sreejith, who has been running the academy in Mussafah.
On Saturday, there will be ‘arangetram’ – the first performance by 10 students of the academy after more than five years of classical dance training. The musical ensemble includes Kalamandalam Krishna Sreejith, Kalamandalam Karthikeyan, Kalamandalam Kiran Gopinath and Padma Kumar Mancheri.
Up to 60 students will perform during the event (4pm-9pm) at the private International English School, commonly known as Bhavans International.
“Our 10 female students will be performing for the first time. This is their ‘arangetram’. It will be accompanied by a Bharatana dance performance. It will be a different and special experience for everyone,” said the female students. Teacher Krishna said at a news conference.
Sunday, Kalamandhir Melolsavam 2023 – Kalamandhir is a program of Natya Dance Training Institute’s associate and will be held at the Indian Social and Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi (4pm to 9pm).
Up to 12 adults, including a woman, will make their stage debut with the “chenda,” a drum used as a percussion instrument.
“Panchari melam (percussion ensemble) is one of the main forms of chenda melam. Renowned ‘chenda’ artist Kalamandalam Shivadas from Kerala will lead a performance of 60 artists,” said Kaali Kannan from Kalamandhir.
“Admission is free on both days. It’s a great opportunity for residents to enjoy and learn about traditional Indian art forms,” notes Biju from Kara Mandir.
