Appreciation of Indian Classical Arts (AICA) Dance Festival 2019, an initiative of Kalai Koodam Academy of Performing Arts Trust, managed by the renowned Bharatanatyam artiste and research Scholar L.Murugashankari, in Madurai, the city of temples.
Inaugurated in 2018, the AICA Dance Festival featured five classical dance styles on the same stage for the very first time in the city of Madurai. People of Madurai loved it as they rarely (if not never) see such quality performances of the classical dance forms that were presented, Sattriya, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam and Kathak on the same stage. The support was humungous and the event received an outstanding and overwhelming reception.
The second edition, AICA DANCE FESTIVAL 2019 held on 19-20-21 Oct. 2019, featured Anusua Roy (Manipuri from Mumbai), Lalitha Sindhuri (Kuchipudi from Rajahmundry), Dr Tina Tambe (Kathak from Mumbai) and Dipanjana Dutta (Odissi from Kolkatta) who thoroughly captivated the audience and took the city of Madurai by storm with their talent and professionalism.
On the Day-1, Manipuri and Odissi dance forms were introduced by the artistes to the students at Sitalakshmi School, Madurai.
The main event AICA DANCE FESTIVAL 2019 was held at the Hatsun Auditorium of Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce on second day witnessed a full house with art lovers and supporters. Dr Tina Tambe gave a vibrant start to the evening with a splendid Kathak performance.
Most of the performances these days resemble acrobatics where the essence of Classical dance is missing. However, the fact is, any amount of acrobatics or gymnastics can never replace the charm and spiritual upliftment one feels when watching a good dance performance. Tina’s dance was one such exceptionally ‘good’ performance with all the beautiful aspects of the dance form intact even when she was moving at a rapid pace in her swift chakkars or her crisp fiery footwork. She was grace personified in every micro-movement of hers. The audience was thrilled to bits to watch her perform the Nritta piece where she recited the bol-s and performed for them, something that many people here have never seen. She commenced with a ‘Devi Stuti’ and concluded with ‘Holi’.
When Anusua Roy entered the stage as Radha, one could hear an audible gasp from the stunned audience. Almost all of them were watching Manipuri for the very first time and what a splendid performance it was!!! Being the disciple of legendary gurus of Manipuri, Padmashri Darshana Jhaveri and Latasana Devi and learning the art form from 3 years of age, it is no wonder that Anusua performed with such composure, mastery and elegance even while reprimanding Krishna in anger and hopelessness. The highlight of the evening was her coming to the stage as Krishna in entirely different attire (in no time) and performing the tandava aspect of Manipuri. Hats off to her commitment and effort in showcasing Lasya and Tandava aspects of Manipuri in just 25 minutes allotted.
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While watching Lalitha, one could easily find out that she is a dancer by birth, which she is. She hails from a family of stalwarts in the field of Kuchipudi and has learnt from great traditional masters in the field. Her years of training and passion for the art form is evident in her every move, every gesture, every expression! She commenced with the Shiva Stotram and moved on to perform Maragatha Mani Maya Sela where she showcased the dance on the brass plate, which was done with such grace, superb control and élan. The audience, needless to say, applauded and cheered her enthusiastically as they were understandably astounded. Her stamina, energy levels, striking stage presence and her effortlessly fluent dancing left the Madurai audience mesmerised.
Dipanjana Dutta commenced with Ganesha Vandana followed by Durga Stuti. Blessed with beauty, a persona that exudes calmness, a striking stage presence, Dipanjana’s performance was poetry in motion that filled the mind with tranquillity. A student of the dedicated and talented guru Poushali Mukherjee, every pose and movement of her stood testimony of years of practice and her hold over the technique of her art form. She concluded her performance with the bhajan ‘Vaishnava Jana to’ in the special occasion of Mahatma Gandhiji’s 150th birth year.
Lecture Demonstration
Another part of the festival was a Lec-Dem and interactive session, which was held at the Thiagarajar Arts College where Kathak and Kuchipudi dance forms were presented.
This was organised with the support and encouragement of Mr. Hari Thiagarajan, Secretary -Thiagarajar Arts College. Tina Tambe and Lalitha enthralled the audience with their traditional performances. Tina showing how she stops an auto-rickshaw the Kathak way with bol-s left the audience in splits. Lalitha’s javali was spontaneous and so incredibly beautiful and apt for the college crowd who thoroughly enjoyed it. The students showed their gratitude t the artistes with a standing ovation.
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Kalai Koodam Academy of Performing arts Trust is run by a dancer and performer, who is passionate about arts. Hence, this 3-day festival was conducted in such a way that the artistes and art are given their due respect in every way possible. Meticulous planning and care go into providing hospitality for the artistes from the time they land in Madurai till they leave with the help of JC Residency and Linga Chemicals. Curtain-raisers and coverage in all the major Newspapers and News Channels, adverts in theatre, flyers distributed across the city and most importantly care is taken to give a good remuneration to the artistes. Divine blessings and generous souls called Sponsors to support the event. This makes AICA DANCE FESTIVAL one of the most sought after dance festivals for genuinely talented dancers.
