'Charishnu' makes a comeback to Mumbai after a decade
As one of the most noteworthy Classical Dance Shows, ‘Charishnu’, is returning to NCPA
Leela Samson’s initiative that created a rippling effect in the classical dance community is now returning with the same brilliant troupe.
After nearly a decade-long wait, Mumbai on August 3 will once again see some of the stalwarts of Indian Classical Dance come together to celebrate the ‘desire to move’- Charishnu. An alternative to the Sanskrit word, ‘Carishnu’, the prestigious dance festival is being organized by the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, in collaboration with Sahachari Foundation Events and sponsored by Creaticity, Pune.
Conceptualized by the former director of Kalakshetra, Leela Samson, Charishnu brings together nearly 45 dancers, each showcasing at least one of the major classical dance forms, and a selection of folk and martial dance forms of India, along with an ensemble of drums from different parts of the country. Aditi Mangaldas(Kathak), Aruna Mohanty (Odissi), Priti Patel (Manipuri), Sadanam Balakrishnan (Kathakali and Mohiniattam), Imocha Singh (Thang-ta), Mahesh Vinayakram (percussion) and Leela Samson (Bharatanatyam) lead their troupes, with each individual dance style in dialogue with the other, and all coming together in a spectacular finale.
Charishnu was conceptualised with Padmasree Leela Samson was asked to create a production which would include the versatility of Indian dance forms. Handpicking some of the most skilled individuals in their field of art, Samson’s artistes have not been replaced ever since, and the names above have remained the same over the years. Speaking with Asian Age, Aditi Mangaldas has explained, “This is a dance production which has short vignettes of many dance styles from India as well as a percussion interlude.” While Priti Patel added, “I was inspired to bring together two pieces. One is an excerpt from the Rasaleela of Krishna and the Gopis, which began with an excerpt from the Sankirtana tradition. It is a presentation of the pre-Vaishnavite tradition of Lai Haraoba and Thang-ta, the ancient martial art form of Manipur. Both are very different — one being soft and lyrical, and the other, strong and dynamic. While in the Rasaleela, the lyrics used are from Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda, the dance forms of Maibi and Thang-ta are accompanied by the sounds of drums and the pena — a string instrument.”
‘Charishnu’ or ‘the desire to move’ is returning to Mumbai after nearly a decade. (Google Images)
Speaking of the incredible uniting among the leading dancers of the production, Samson exclaimed to the Hindu, “What is incredible is the love and respect among the artistes and the fun we have presenting this. One has to believe in the production. We did not find much to add or subtract after so many years.” It should be noted that Charishnu has been brought back by Sahachari Foundation, a charitable trust which besides collaborating with NGOs for social causes has been working with NCPA to present some brilliant music and dance productions. Samson mentioned, in this regard, “Sahachari is celebrating its 10th year and I am thrilled that they chose to present ‘Charishnu’, a production we had done for them a decade ago.”
Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, Head, Dance Programming, NCPA, has said, “This year is very special for the NCPA as it celebrates 50 years of service to the Arts. The year also marks the 10th anniversary of our long-time collaborator Sahachari Foundation. Most fascinating part of Charishnu is that it has been able to retain the same collaborating dancers, who are some of the biggest names in their fields.”
