Ms. Swati Sinha, a Kathak Dancer performed on the first day of Holika Dahan Festival 2013 at The Manek Chowk, The City Palace Complex, 06.30 pm onwards on 23rd March 2013
Ms. Swati Sinha performed on ‘Nritya Rang’ - an interpretation of the various colours that we adorn ourselves with and dissolve completely into this sea of colours to be one with all ,through the medium of Kathak
Nritya Rang
Holi is a festival of colour, brotherhood and intoxicating revelry. Each and every person is coloured in myriad hues of Gulal, which is considered auspicious. Nritya Rang is an interpretation of the various colours that we adorn ourselves with and dissolve completely into this sea of colours to be one with all ,through the medium of Kathak.
Indigo, Red, Orange, pink, yellow and green have their effects on the mood of men. Each colour is associated to one of the sapt chakras in the human body. Indigo is the colour of meditation and deep contemplation, Red is that of love and vitality, orange of devotion and endurance, pink of tenderness and nurturing , yellow of enthusiasm and cheerfulness and green of fertility and growth.
Indigo- The power of meditation
We commence our performance with the story of Holika dahan. Prahlad refuses to treat his father Hiranyakashyap as God and prays to Lord Vishnu instead. This infuriates his father who asks his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. Holika then lures her nephew into fire where she thought she could burn him to ashes and save herself through a boon in the form of a shawl. However, there is a gust of wind and the shawl falls over prahlad who was meditating and the evil Holika is smoldered to death.
Green- Regeneration
Green is the colour of fertility and growth. In this item we show the emotion of joy that the kadamb tree goes through when Krishna plays the flute sitting in its shade and the sadness and compassion that it feels for Radha when Krishna leaves vrindavan forever. Shattered and leafless it comes to life again in spring when the koel sings on its branches. Come autumn and the leaves and flowers start falling away from the branches and are swept by wind and water into unfamiliar territories where they begin a new life. The kadamb tree is a symbol of human life, the trials and tribulations that we all go through and pass on a part of our history to the next generation.
Yellow- Enthusiasm
The energy and enthusiasm of the colour yellow is depicted through pure dance in Kathak. Kathak is a lively and energetic dance form which gives a lot of space for open dialogue between two dancers and between dancer and musicians.
Pink- Hope
Maand the traditional folk song of Rajasthan is presented in the parameters of Kathak. The nayika waits for the nayak to return from war and passes the time in imagining his homecoming along with her friends. “kesariya Balam aao ji padharo maro des”
Orange- devotion
The colour of devotion is best shown through Meera, the saint poetess of Rajasthan. She begs Krishna to understand her emotions and come to her house where she will welcome him with complete grandeur and will sing songs with him. “ thane kai kai keh samjhawa mhara saawra girdhari”
Red- love
Holi was one of the favourite festivals of Lord Krishna. He and his friends used to drench Radha and the gopis in myriad colours. This holi has been written by kavi Surdas.
Credits:
Dancers: Swati sinha, Diksha Gupta, Shalini Negi, Wanda chiu
Mujaffar, Manoj, Manvendra Singh
Musicians: Zohaib Khan-Tabla
Vijay Parihar- Vocal
Lavinya Kumar- Sitar
Rohit Prasanna- flute
About Ms. Swati Sinha:
Ms. Swati Sinha is one of the foremost practitioners of Kathak today. Having learnt the nuances of the Jaipur style of Kathak from the great master Pt Rajendra Gangani at the Kathak Kendra New Delhi, she has committed herself to practicing and propagating the art form. Sharp yet graceful movements combined with command over deft and intricate rhythm patterns, lithe footwork and subtle, poignant expressions, mark her style. The right blend of ‘taalim’ and’ upaj’ i.e; the practiced aspect and improvisational aspect, find a place in her recital.
http://www.swatikathak.com
Swati Sinha, Kathak Dancer performing in Holika Dahan Festival 2013 at The Manek Chowk, The City Palace Complex, 06.30 pm onwards on 23rd March 2013
Swati Sinha is one of the foremost practitioners of Kathak today. Having learnt the nuances of the Jaipur style of Kathak from the great master Pt Rajendra Gangani at the Kathak Kendra New Delhi, she has committed herself to practicing and propagating the art form. Sharp yet graceful movements combined with command over deft and intricate rhythm patterns, lithe footwork and subtle, poignant expressions, mark her style. The right blend of ‘taalim’ and’ upaj’ i.e; the practiced aspect and improvisational aspect, find a place in her recital.
http://www.swatikathak.com
