NCPA Welcomes SAAYUJYA Tonight

By: Sep. 24, 2013
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This September, The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), India's premier arts and culture institution will present the Mumbai premier of Saayujya, a creation by two of India's brightest stars in the Indian music and dance traditions- Bharatanatyam exponent Priyadarsini Govind and Carnatic vocalist T M Krishna tonight, September 24, 2013 at the NCPA. This unique audio visual concept is an attempt to watch a conversation between two forms of expression in a way that has never been seen before. The concert is presented in association with the Chennai-based performing arts initiative, Aalaap.

Saayujya, literally meaning merging oneself with the divine, is an exploration, investigation, expression of dance through music and music through dance. The resonant, mellifluous and 'bhava'- laden voice of T M Krishna will juxtapose with the crisp, strong lines and exquisitely subtle 'abhinaya' of Priyadarsini Govind's dance.

The next evening, on September 25, dance students in the city have a rare opportunity to pick up some of her acclaimed 'abhinaya' through our Pratipadarshini workshop where Priyadarsini Govind will be conducting a module on the subtleties of the form. The first half of the workshop also includes a session on 'taal' (rhythm) in the Carnatic idiom conducted by renowned percussionist Satish Krishnamurthy.

Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, Head-Programming (Dance), NCPA says, "To witness Priyadarsini Govind and T M Krishna perform together is a rare opportunity. It is part of NCPA's constant efforts to showcase the best in dance and to bring in new experiments and collaborations that take Indian performing arts to the next level. This performance will certainly be a treat for all music and dance aficionados."

Priyadarsini Govind is one of the foremost Bharatanatyam dancers among the current generation. In addition, she was recently appointed as the Director of Kalakshetra, a famous school for classical dance and music. Trained by two stalwarts, Kalaimamani S K Rajarathnam Pillai and Padma Bhushan Smt Kalanidhi Naryanan, Priyadarsini has imbibed this art form from the best. With her natural aptitude for abhinaya coupled with her passion and dedication to her art, Priyadarsini has become a flag bearer for Smt Kalanidhi's Padam repertoire. Priyadarsini's 'nritta' or pure dance is intense and vigorous. A dancer known for her adherence to tradition, Priyadarsini manages to seamlessly blend new choreography with the traditional, thereby gently redefining the boundaries of Bharatanatyam repertoire.

T M Krishna is one of the leading artists in the field of Carnatic music (Indian classical music-south Indian style) today. His resonant and mellifluous voice and strict adherence to classicism have enriched his musical outpourings. His music is marked with a very high level of aesthetics in conception and execution. He is known for his tremendous 'manodharma' (imagination) and 'sampradaya sangeetha' (traditional music). His complete involvement and his ability to unfold 'ragas' with ease, has left many a listener lost in his music. His renditions of 'vilamba kalam' (slow tempo) compositions soaked with 'bhakthi' (devotion) and 'bhava' (emotion) are a treat to every listener.

September 24, 2013

Saayujya: Bharatanatyam by Priyadarsini Govind accompanied by vocalist T M Krishna

7.00 pm

Tata Theatre

Tickets: Rs 375, 225, 150/- for members

Rs 500, 300, 200/- for public

September 25, 2013

Pratipadarshini: Step 2, Understanding the Carnatic 'taal' system by Satish Krishnamurthy followed by an 'abhinaya' workshop by Priyadarsini Govind.

6.30pm to 8.30pm

Sea View Room

Tickets: Rs 300/-

To register, call the dance department on 022-66223805 or email sdasgupta@ncpamumbai.com. Box Office opens on September 10 (for NCPA members) and September 13 (for public). Call 66223724/ 66223754 to book tickets. To use the online booking facility simply log on to NCPA official website: http://www.ncpamumbai.com/buy-tickets or visit www.bookmyshow.com.

About the NCPA: Opening its doors to the world in 1969, the NCPA became the first multi-venue and multi-purpose cultural centre to be built in South Asia. Vibrant and diverse, the NCPA today is recognized by artistes, patrons and media alike as India's premier performing arts institution. The Centre provides a fine showcase for India's rich performing arts traditions, all thanks to the institution's training and research initiatives.

The NCPA presents over 600 events each year across all major art forms, most notably Indian Music, International Music, Theatre and Film, Dance, and Literature, Visual Arts and Photography. There are Heads of Programming for each of these art forms who curate innovative events and festivals; representative of everything from classical to contemporary throughout the year. The NCPA produces its own programmes as well as collaborates with leading cultural promoters from around the world.

About Aalaap: Aalaap is an initiative in the performing arts based in Chennai. It works both as an independent entity as well as in collaboration with performing artistes from across India and assists them in the many aspects of the arts, its production, promotion and presentation. Designed as an artiste-centric initiative that is sensitive to the style and sensibilities that qualify and constitute every artiste, Aalaap's focus areas include ideation, curation, execution, content creation, research, management and promotion. Under this umbrella, Aalaap also publishes a high-end, bi-monthly performing arts magazine by the same name. It is has launched four thematic editions.



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