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Eight Classical Dances Explore Mahabharata's Emotions
31 Aug
Summary
- Eight Indian classical dance forms merged in a unique presentation.
- The performance explored key Mahabharata stories through Natya Shastra's Bhavas.
- It showcased a fusion of dance, music, and expression of the epic.
Pune recently experienced a remarkable artistic convergence, showcasing India's eight classical dance traditions. The event, titled 'Ashta Bhava, Ashta Nritya - Mahabharata,' was staged at Balgandharva Rangmandir.
Presented by the Pune Art and Culture Foundation, the production brought together diverse forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Sattriya. These dances narrated eight distinct stories from the Mahabharata, including the dramatic Lakshagriha and Draupadi Cheer Haran.
The performance masterfully employed the eight primary Bhavas, or emotions, as outlined in the Natya Shastra. A key highlight was the innovative fusion of varied dance vocabularies, musical styles, and rhythmic patterns. This blend created a unique emotional landscape of the Mahabharata.
Conceptualised by Gayatri Mishra and coordinated by Dr Devika Borthakur, the production successfully united one epic, eight emotions, and eight diverse dance traditions into a cohesive and captivating artistic experience.
