Delhi celebrates WORLD DANCE DAY with Stellar dance performances

World Dance Day 2014,No Boundaries-IV organized by Sadhya –a unit of performing arts was an impeccable event conceptualized by Santosh Nair in association with Sangeet Natak Akademi and Indian Habitat Centre. This year celebration was in two-folds 1) April 27, 2014 at Sangeet Natak Akademi and 2) April 29, 2014 at Indian Habitat Centre. With an aim to bring together established and upcoming talents, Gurus and students on the same platform to celebrate the art of dance, the event saw some great responses in forms of filled theatre and applauds after each performance.

Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it is not mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself.

The annually observed World Dance Day which was introduced in 1982 under UNESCO — of which the above is the quintessence of this year’s special message — is to enhance overall awareness of the importance of dance among the general public.

The two day celebration saw a mix of  Solo, Duo, Trio and group performances with the blend of classical and Contemporary dance forms. It started with the Solo Performances by was with the Colombia-citizen Caroline Prada, disciple of guru Janme Joy Saibabu, who presented a mesmerising Nataraj, Mayurbhanj Chhau. Then came Sanjib Bhattacharya, disciple of Manipuri guru Bipin Singha,. Next was a spell bounding performance by Vrinda Chadha, disciple of Odissi guru Ranjana Gauhar. Followed by eye struck Contemporary dance by Rishi Sharma, Santosh Nair’s disciple, performing Rudra — the destroyer for salvation of all.  Seraikela Chhau, Sagar, came from Govind Mahato, student of Shashidhar Acharya, with mask and ocean’s blue attire.

Neha Sharma, disciple of Santosh Nair, presented contemporary dance, Detox. Kathakali by Vishnupriya Marar, disciple of guru Evoor Rajendran Pillai. Kathak by Amit Khimchi, disciple of guru Rajendra Gangani, showcased with impressive foot-work. The finale was resplendent Ganapati Tanam by Dakshina Vidyanathan, disciple of Bharatanatyam guru Saroja Viadyanathan.

The 1st day turned out to be a great success with outstanding crowd presence to cheer the artists and their gurus. The ardent fans of different dance genres also relished Duet/Trio dance forms in Odissi-by Guru Ranjana Gauhar’s students, Kathak by disciples of Guru Rajendra Gangani-Piyush Chauhan & Preeti Sharma, Contemporary: disciple of Santosh Nair,-Nanda Kumar, Bharatanatyam: by disciples of Guru Jayalakshmi Eshwar, Contemporary: Asamanjas: disciples of Santosh Nair, Saraikela Chhau: disciples of Shashadhar Acharya-Shagun Bhutani, Shubham Acharya, Contemporary: disciples of Santosh Nair-Sudhir Kumar & Himesh Parcha, Mohiniyattam-disciples of Guru Jayprabha Menon, Contemporary: Bhavini Misra, Urshila Dance Company, Vishnupriya Mara: Kathakali, disciple of Guru Evoor Rajendran Pillai.

Day 2 was again bliss, watching more than 130 artist in a seemless performance. Audience at Indian Habitat Centre was swayed in the mood celebrating dance with the tapping foots. The programme started with  Manipuri: Sanjib Bhattacharya & Group, Odissi: disciples of Guru Ranjana Gauhar, Contemporary: Bhavini Misra-Urshila Dance company, Bharatanatyam: disciples of Guru Saroja Vidyanathan, Mayurbhanj Chhau: Santosh Nair: Sadhya, Hip Hop: Charlie, Popinticko & Sandeep, Puppetry & dance: Vikram Mohan, Belly Dance: Mehar Malik, Kathak: disciples of Rani Khanam, Contemporary: Yuko Harada, Contemporary: Sadhya, Contemporary: Delhi Dance Theatre, Jazz, Ballet & Contemporary: Danceworx, Jazz  & MJ: Gaurav & Amit.