| 'History of Unforgetting' 2007 |
| History of Unforgetting explores the
hierarchy and exploitation inherent in the tradition of temple-court
dancing along with the displacement suffered by these artists during
colonization. |
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| 'Ekaantha Seetha...a lonely furrow' 2006 |
| CCA's production, Ekaantha Seetha is a Bharatanatyam
dance drama celebrating women of extraordinary courage and character,
of gumption and grace: Sita of Hindu theology, Rani Lakshmi Bai
of Indian Freedom movement, Aparajitha of today's India. The underlying
theme says it all: We reap the harvests of the loosened fields of
lonely furrows ploughed by such women. |
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| 'Masters of Kathakali’ Tour 2005 |
| Keli kottu (drumming sound) announcing the commencement
of Kathakali drama echoed not on the steps of the temple courtyard
but in the lobby of the Broadway Theater in the city of New York
on April 1st, 2005.The legends of Kathakali from Kalamandalam, Sadanam,
Margi and Kottakal came together to form the nostalgic 'Masters
Of Kathakali' troupe. The Masters of Kathakali troupe traveled 8000
miles from their home town in Kerala, India to perform in the cities
of USA. This unique troupe performed in 28 cities spanning the entire
USA in the months of April-May, 2005. |
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| Atlanta hosts the ‘Ambassador of Mohiniattom’
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The lights dim, and there is an expectant hush
as the audience falls silent. A spark of light appears on the darkened
stage, which sways and flickers and then grows into a flame from
a burning wick. A dancer, a vision attired in the purest of whites,
steps slowly, languorously to the front of the stage, bearing in
her hand the traditional ‘Nilavilakku’ (lamp) of Kerala.
No, this scene was not set in ‘God’s own country’
in the south-east corner of India. It was at the Hindu Temple of
Atlanta in Riverdale, Georgia, and the occasion was the mesmerizing
evening of Mohiniattom performance by Kalamandalam Radhika on September
6, 2003. |
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