World Music Institute presents 4th annual "Dancing the Gods" Festival of Indian Classical Dance
Company:
World Music Institute
WORLD MUSIC INSTITUTE
Par Neiburger, Artistic Director
announces the return of
DANCING THE GODS
A two-day festival at NYU Skirball Center featuring some of
the world's most celebrated performers of Indian classical dance
Saturday, April 25, 8:00 p.m.
Rama Vaidyanathan & Dakshina Vaidyanathan
“DWITA – Duality Of Life”
A Bharatanatyam Duet Recital
Pre-performance lec-dem: "Gurus and Dance Lineages" with Rajika Puri, 7pm
Post-performance "Chat & Chai" with the artists
Sunday, April 26, 7:00 p.m.
Prashant Shah & the Parul Shah Company
“Kadamb & Beyond: A Tribute to Kumudini Lakhia”
Traditional and Contemporary Kathak
Pre-performance lec-dem: "Gurus and Dance Lineages" with Rajika Puri, 6pm
Post-performance "Chat & Chai" with the artists
NYU Skirball Center
566 LaGuardia Pl (Washington Sq Park)
Tickets: $35-$40; WMI Friends: $30-$35; Bring a Kid: $5
worldmusicinstitute.org/events/?series=dancing-the-gods
Rama Vaidyanathan and Dakshina Vaidyanathan
Saturday, April 25, 2015
8:00 p.m. — Mainstage Performance
7:00 p.m. — Lecture-demonstration on "Gurus and Dance Lineages" with Rajika Puri
After the show — Chat & Chai discussion with the artists
Premier Bharatanatyam exponent Rama Vaidyanathan made her New York debut at Dancing the Gods in 2011, a performance praised as "vivid" and "exciting" by The New York Times. This time she returns with her daughter, upcoming star Dakshina Vaidyanathan in “DWITA – Duality Of Life.” In DWITA, a Sanskrit term that means duality, a mother and her daughter remind us of the dualities in that pairing. While both complement and empower each other, one symbolizes the present and the other is significant to the future. They explore how there are always two sides to a coin, two paths to a goal, and discover that, for both to coexist, both must be recognized. The production, choreographed by Rama, is accompanied by her ensemble of musicians from India.
“Another artist now showing real mastery was Rama Vaidyanathan; and in her recital, the surprising element was humor, with constant dashes of satire, wryness and amusement.”
– The New York Times
“Ms. Vaidyanathan showed the beauty and expressiveness of Bharatanatyam
in terms of full-stretched line, gesture and rhythm.”
– The New York Times
Prashant Shah, and the Parul Shah Company
Sunday, April 26, 2015
7:00 p.m. — Mainstage Performance
6:00 p.m. — Lecture-demonstration on "Gurus and Dance Lineages" with Rajika Puri
After the show — Chat & Chai discussion with the artists
Prashant Shah and Parul Shah Company each perform a tribute to their shared teacher Padma Bhushan Kumudini Lakhia, a legendary pioneer in contemporary Kathak and founder of Kadamb Centre for Dance & Music. Prashant Shah’s solo work has focused on returning to the traditional roots of Kathak, with its brilliant footwork and compelling rhythms; he is accompanied by a master tabla player. Parul Shah excels also in contemporary group choreography often set to new music; her new work "Can't Trust the Bols" is accompanied by tabla and cello.
“…new thinkers like Prashant Shah gives Kathak dance a promising future.”
– The Hindustan Times
“Parul Shah danced a 'Chasing Shadows' solo that brought the house down.
Her sources are splendidly hybrid: contemporary dance, the Kathak technique of north India,
the female temple-court artists of south India.”
– The New York Times
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
In 2011, World Music Institute launched the annual Dancing the Gods festival, which has since established itself as an essential platform for Indian classical dance in New York City. Dancing the Gods spotlights veteran masters and emerging ones, and has been met with substantial critical acclaim, including a New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie) "Outstanding Performer" nomination for Shantala Shivalingappa, and a rave New York Times review for the U.S. premiere of Nrityagram's Samyoga. Performances take place downtown in NYU Skirball Center's beautiful 800-seat theater. In addition to the MainStage events, the Festival offers free activities such as lecture-demonstrations and "Chat & Chai" with the artists.
Tickets at $35-40 (Bring a Kid tickets available for $5) are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.worldmusicinstitute.org, by calling (212) 545-7536, or in person at the WMI Box Office at 101 Lafayette Street, #801. They can also be purchased through the NYU Skirball Center Box Office, LaGuardia Place between Washington Square South and West 3rd Street,
(212) 998-4941, nyuskirball.org.
