Twin Sisters Riya & Sara Kapoor to Jazz Up Traditional Indian Ceremony at Lincoln Center, 12/12

Twin sisters Riya and Sara Kapoor will make their Rangapravesh, or onstage debut, on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall in a show they have entitled "A Night of Moves." In the ceremony, the girls will perform the traditional Bharatantayam dance form accompanied by a Carnatic Orchestra, a classical South Indian Musical genre, and a New York Jazz Quartet. This performance will mark the first time this ancient tradition will be done in its current format and choreography.

In their Rangapravesh, 15-year-old artists Riya and Sara Kapoor will share what is the culmination of over 10 years of intensive dance training and mastery of the Bharatanatyam dance form. According to their Guru Swati Bhise, the over 2,000-year-old dance form requires mastery of dance, music, theater, mime, iconography, geometry and mathematics. When combined the audience is presented with a beautiful display of a dance and acting performance that invokes varied emotions over the course of the two-hour, ten part recital.

Bhise, a protégé of Sonal Mansingh, India's pre-eminent practitioner of the Pandanallur style which emphasizes geometric movements of the Bharatantayam form, has previously announced that "A Night of Moves" will be her final student presentation. At her students' request, and staying true to the Carnatic and Bharatanatyam traditions she has melded jazz into the usually classical program.

For the girls, it was important to take this dance outside of their traditional school of thought. For them, it was important to incorporate jazz music as it acts as a reflection of their New York identity and they wanted to generate more cross-cultural appeal. Both girls are students at The Trinity School in New York, and Riya is a student at the acclaimed Alvin Ailey School of Dance.

World renowned jazz producer George Wein will attend the Rangapravesh ceremony as the guest of honor, and to bless the girls on their debut. The girls have chosen to incorporate his music as a salute to his countless contributions to music and the performing arts. Eager to share their groundbreaking performance with fellow budding artists Riya and Sara have invited students and faculty from several schools throughout Manhattan to attend.

Immediately following Riya and Sara's performance, there will be a dinner with the theme of a traditional Indian street market held at Jazz at Lincoln Center followed by an after party in Parkview Lounge starting at 10:00 PM.

IF YOU GO:

Saturday, December 12, 2015

6:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Cocktails: 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM

Performance: 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM

Dinner: 9:00 PM- 10:00 PM

After-Party: 10:00 PM- 1:00 AM

Jazz at Lincoln Center Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, New York, NY 10019

Parkview Lounge, Broadway at 60th Street, New York, NY 10019