NCPA Welcomes Kumudini Lakhia's Kadamb Centre for Residency, Now thru 17 Aug

Each year, the NCPA invites a renowned dance institute from India to showcase their work in a series of performances, master classes and seminars. This year, the NCPA plays host to one of the most prestigious Kathak dance schools of our country, Kumudini Lakhia's Kadamb Centre for Dance. This one-week residency promises captivating performances, engaging master classes, interactive activities with schools and an enlightening conversation with the dance maestro Lakhia herself.

Kadamb Centre for Dance was founded by Kumudini Lakhia in 1967, with the sole aim of promoting Kathak. 46 years later, Kadamb has gained the reputation of an institution that imparts training in Kathak along with a holistic view of dance education. Kadamb's dance ensemble is particularly known for their creative innovations and imaginative approach of the time and space concept, thereby establishing a unique style of their own that displays virtuosity, precision and elegance.

Kumudini Lakhia is considered a pioneer in her field due to her involvement in Kathak for over 60 years. Her holistic approach to performance pays close attention to details, especially with respect to music where she stresses its importance beyond accompaniment. In addition, her natural sensitivity to colour and presentation has redefined conventional notions of costumes, lighting and set design.

To acknowledge her outstanding contribution in the field of Kathak, the Government of India presented her with the prestigious titles of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.

Pranaam
14th, Wednesday
The Little Theatre
7:00pm

The dance residency commences with an evening of dance and discussion lead by young students of dance welcoming Kumudini Lakhia and dancers of the Kadamb Dance Centre. Students from the different classical dance schools across the city will devote dance presentations to Kumudini Lakhia based on varied subjects like History of Kathak, the life of the legendary Kumudini Lakhia, etc.

Some of the participating schools will be Pt. Chitresh Das &Seema Mehta's ChhandamSchool of Dance (Kathak), Smt. Daksha Mashruwala'sKaishiki (Odissi), Dr Sandhya Purecha's Kalaparichay (Bharatanatyam) and Uma Dogra's School of Kathak.

GatiPravah
15th, Thursday
The Experimental Theatre
7:00pm

GatiPravah (Gati literally meaning speed and pravah meaning flow) is a collage of kathak compositions presented by the accomplished dancers of Kadamb Centre of Dance.

The programme commences with Dhamar, a piece based on the movement structure of 'Nritta' (pure dance), very abstract in form. It comprises of graceful movements that are also brisk and the dancer covers the floor area in fast moving patterns of the feet, arms and pirouettes exhibiting virtuosity and control on the traditional Kathak dance.

The second item MeroMan, depicts the love of Radha and Krishna in the 'Sringaar Rasa' with the emphasis on the abhinaya of the dancer. This is followed by Suverna, a dance piece that was specially choreographed to celebrate the fiftieth year of India's Independence, hence the celebration of Gold (Suverna). A group of dancers continuously weaves patterns in dance, decorating the space with movements and rhythms bringing a sense of joy and celebration among themselves and their audience. This composition in Kathakcombines its various elements of the physical structure and rhythmic virtuosity to create an eloquent flow of kinesis. It begins with a slow tempo with lyrical movements and progresses towards a faster rhythm and linear forms culminating in the fast and unique foot-work of Kathakdance.

Sparsh is a surprise item presented by two senior most dancers and teachers of Kadamb, Prashant Shah and Sanjukta Sinha. This production was 1st premiered at the 'Dance India' programme at the Milap Festival in Liverpool in UK in August 2012.

GatiPravah concludes with a Tarana. In the repertoire of the Indian classical music, Tarana is a form of singing in which there is no content of poetry or words instead the singer uses 'bols' or syllables to the melody of the 'Raga' set to a given rhythm. This particular dance composition is visualization in the movements of the flow of the musical patterns of this melody.
Choreography by KumudiniLakhia
Music by Atul Desai

Tickets:
Rs.360 & 270/- (Members)
Rs.400 & 300/- (Public)
Box Office Now Open

Creations by Kumudini Lakhia followed by -"In conversation with Kumudini Lakhia conducted by RatnaPathak Shah"

16th, Friday
Tata Theatre
7:00pm

Creations by Kumudini Lakhiapromises to be a kaleidoscopic dance performance that starts off with Samanvay,a composition in the classical Kathak format where one sees the use of various floor patterns as well as structures appearing and changing into movements where space becomes a part of the dance. This is followed by Thumri, the abhinaya or narrative aspect of the traditional Kathak dance where the dancer expresses the lyrics of the song through hand and facial expressions.

Gat-Gati is yet another abstract form of 'Nritta' which is a composition in two different 'Taalas' (rhythm patterns) where the dancers exhibit their skill and control on the Kathak technique.

Sufism is an intensely spiritual belief system which teaches harmony and humanitarian values. It is concerned with the personal and mystical experience of God conveyed through dance, music, poetry and passionate yearning for the beloved. This piece is composed in trying to understand the message of the great Sufi tradition using the technique of the classical Kathak dance which also boasts of the body turning in circles when in ecstasy.

The next item Chaturangis a style of singing in Hindustani Classical music, it compactly combines sections from four diverse classical forms, Khayal, Tarana, Sargam and Tirvat all in the same Raga. It brings together the spectrum of 4 (Chatur) - colors (Rang) in one band each standing separately but together to give a rainbow effect. It starts with Bada Khayal in Raga Bageshriand will conclude with Chaturang. This performance too ends with aTarana in Raag Darbari

The performance will be followed by one to one conversation with Kumudini Lakhia hosted by renowned actor Ratna Pathak Shah. The conversation aims at providing an insight into Kumudini Lakhia's work, inspirations, choreography and Kadamb.
Choreography byKumudiniLakhia
Music by Atul Desai

Tickets:
Rs.450, 375, 270 & 195/- (Members)
Rs.600, 500, 360 & 260/- (Public)
Box Office Now Open

Master class
15th& 17th Aug
10 am - 1pm
Sea View Room

The master class offers seniors students of dance a glimpse into the world of Kadamb and the teachings of Kumudini Lakhia.

Registration criteria: Open to performers, teachers and students of dance. Participants should have completed at least four years of training and should be 14 years or above.