Jacob's Pillow Welcomes Kuchipudi Dancer Shantala Shivalingappa, Now thru 7/7

Jacob's Pillow presents preeminent Kuchipudi dancer Shantala Shivalingappa from today, July 3-7 in its Doris Duke Theatre. Born in India and raised in Paris, Shivalingappa "erases cultural boundaries with her lightness, wit, and musicality" (The New Yorker). Her vivid interpretations of the classical South Indian dance style, Kuchipudi, are steeped in expressive narrative with flowing lines, nimble leaps, and percussive footwork. Joined by four master musicians, Shivalingappa presents the U.S. premiere of Akasha, a program showcasing her artistry with five solos, all inspired by ancient Hindu poems.

Ella Baff, Executive and Artistic Director of Jacob's Pillow comments, "Shantala Shivalingappa is star dancer. She embodies the grace and virtuosity of classical Indian dance, which is as challenging and precise to perform as classical ballet. It also requires a deep understanding of music. The dance and the music depend on one another, and together they express emotion, beauty and soul."

Akasha, featuring choreography by Shantala Shivalingappa and Vempati Ravi Shankar, son of Shivalingappa's Kuchipudi guru Vempati Chinna Satyam, is a program of five Kuchipudi solos, each performed by Shivalingappa and accompanied by live singing, flute, and percussions. In Sanskrit, the classical language of India and Hinduism, Akasha means Sky or Space and is regarded as Luminous and the Source of All. Each work in Akasha is inspired by a traditional Hindu poem, with one particular poem dating back to as early as the 13th century, describing various Gods. Om Namo Ji Adya,danced and sung by Shivalingappa, begins the program as a salute to Ganesh, the elephant-headed God who isknown as the light that enlightens themind. Krishnam Kalaya is inspired by Krishna, the Supreme God, Light of the Universe, and conqueror of demons. Next in Jaya Jaya Durge, she praises Durga, a form of the Goddess mother who embodies power and the destruction of Evil. Challenging herself in Kirtanam, Shivalingappa depicts herself as two characters, telling the story of a love quarrel between Alamelu Manga, the narrator, and her husband, the God Venkateshwara. Rounding out the program is a final solo entitled Bhairava, representing an aspect of the God Shiva (also the lord of the Dance) in its terrible and destructive form as the Divine Protector.

The daughter of acclaimed dancer and choreographer Savitry Nair, Shantala Shivalingappa has been compared to "the dancing glow of a flame, which enlightens us" (Paris Vogue). After being raised in Paris, Shivalingappa returned to India at 16 to receive training in the Kuchipudi form of dance that she now brings to the Pillow. "Dance for me is joy and beauty," Shivalingappa said in an interview for European magazine Culture Kiosque "I want to change the stereotyped image that some people have of Indian dance. I don't only dance for myself, but for my musicians and my audience...it doesn't matter if people don't understand the story or the significance of certain gestures." She has performed Kuchipudi in Portugal, France, Morocco, Italy, Belgium, and New York City. Though she is trained classically in Kuchipudi, Shivalingappa's work is influenced by contemporary choreographer Pina Bausch, in whose company she has performed, appearing in many works including O Dido and Bamboo Blues.

Kuchipudi is a classical dance form of South India characterized by its rhythmic, vibrant style, full of quick, intricate footwork, and jumps. Originally a sacred men's dance, Kuchipudi is a combination of abstract and narrative movements based on Hindu mythology. The focus is on the use of gestures, facial expressions, and body language; the hand gestures, or mudras, are codified into a very precise language. Vempati Chinna Satyam, Shantala Shivalingappa's guru, is regarded as Kuchipudi's most influential practitioner, and is credited with spreading knowledge of Kuchipudi worldwide.

Tickets $22-$38. Under 35 Friday Tickets are available for $19 on Friday, July 5 (ages 18-35), two per person, must show I.D. when picking up tickets. $10 Youth Tickets, sponsored by ALEX, are available for Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7 at 2:15pm (must be accompanied by an adult ticket).

Now on sale online at jacobspillow.org, via phone at 413.243.0745, or in person at the Jacob's Pillow Box Office. Under 35 Fridays Tickets and Youth Tickets areavailable by phone and in person only.

Box Office hours: Monday and Tuesday, 11am-5pm, Wednesday through Saturday 11am-8pm, and Sunday 11am-5pm.

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