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Austin Dance India Mixes Traditional And Contemporary Dance

Updated: Thursday, March 29 2012, 04:17 AM CDT
By Rob Faubion, Austin On Stage - www.austinonstage.com

Austin Dance India places one foot firmly in the contemporary realm with the other in ancient, traditional Indian dance with the unique new performance project Journey: Tradition to Innovation.  Pairing dances dating to 1,000 BC with contemporary choreography created last month, the new dance project bridges a 3,000-year gap on April 21 and 22 at the Boyd Vance Theatre
   
Dance and choreography for the production was conceived by Austin Dance India creative director Anuradha Naimpally - who has been promoting the disciplined study of Indian dance in the Austin community for more than 20 years through presentations and performances.  A highly unique performance of the Bharata Natyam style of Indian dance, Journey: Tradition to Innovation will juxtapose traditional and contemporary choreography - giving ancient tradition a modern edge through an infusion of live music, song and spoken word.
     
The classical dance style Bharata Natyam originates from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and dates back to 1,000 B.C.  The dances take inspirations from the sculptures of the ancient temple of Chidambaram - exploring all emotions, from sorrow and hatred to love - and are one of the oldest dance forms of India.
    
Two ensembles will provide the live accompaniment for the dances.  A traditional South Indian ensemble of vocal, instrument and percussion will accompany dance pieces featuring new choreography utilizing traditional technique.  A contemporary ensemble of spoken word, Indian pop vocal and percussion will accompany the new choreography with a contemporary edge.  The performances will feature Eastern soul diva Naga Valli and spoken word poetess Chandra Washington with Shiv Naimpally, Soumya Ashok, Ratan Kumar, and V. Sriram.
    
Dancer and choreographer Anuradha Naimpally has studied and performed the Bharata Natyam style worldwide for more than 30 years.  She is the only Indian dancer to win the prestigious Jacqueline LeMieux Prize from the Canada Council and she holds the title of Sringara Mani, or “Artistic Jewel.”  She was also named "Best Dancer" by the Austin Critics Circle in 2001, was nominated again in 2008 and 2011, and won "Best Concert of the Year" for her 2011 production, Parampara II.
    
Guest artist Naga Valli is well-known for her rendition of Indian devotional and spiritual music.  Performing an infusion of pop, rock, soul and East Indian melodies, Valli has recorded with several well-known artists and performed at prestigious venues such as the Cactus Café and One World Theatre. 

Poet Chandra Washington combines world-class musicianship, soulful dance and animated spoken-word poetry to tell personal stories that evoke feelings of celebration, introspection, motivation to action.

Performances will be April 21 at 8 p.m. and April 22 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $17 for students and seniors.

Boyd Vance Theater is located in the Carver Cultural Center at 1165 Angelina Street.  For tickets and more information, visit www.AustinDanceIndia.com.

(Photo courtesy Austin Dance India)Austin Dance India Mixes Traditional And Contemporary Dance