ARTS PREVIEW: TRADITIONAL KATHAK SOLO
Indian classic dancer Rina Mehta takes the stage in first-ever Kathak solo performance
Acclaimed Indian classic dancer Rina Mehta is expected to take the stage on Sunday, May 16th at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater in Los Angeles to perform her first-ever Kathak solo performance under the guise of the Chitresh Das Dance Company and the Chhandam School of Kathak.
A member of the Chitresh Das Dance Company and disciple of internationally renowned Kathak master and guru, Pandit Chitresh Das, Mehta’s debut as a “Traditional Kathak” soloist is intended to display the art form’s greatest skills, including lightning-fast footwork and pirouettes, rhythmic interplay, and nuanced, graceful movements characteristic of Kathak dance.
As part of Mehta’s solo performance, the Indian classic dancer plans to stay true to Kathak’s roots by also incorporating a substantive storyline into her routine. Under the traditional rules of Kathak dance, the performer is expected to bring to life “the ancient myths of India — the sensual love between Lord Krishna and Radha or the wrath of Lord Indra, god of rain and thunder.”
In addition to her traditional numbers, Mehta is also expected to introduce to audiences a newer form of Kathak known as “Kathak Yoga,” which she explains is “a ground-breaking innovation that highlights the sophisticated mathematics involved in Indian classical dance.”
While Mehta will be performing a solo, she will not be on stage alone. Joining her on stage is her guru, Pundit Chitresh Das, as well as three classical musicians in Sri Abhijit Banerjee (table), Sri Jayanta Banerjee (sitar) and Sri Debashish Sarkar (vocals). Banerjee will be opening the evening’s festivities with a solo table performance.
This weekend’s performance is also held in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Chitresh Das Dance Company and the Chhandam School of Kathak. The anniversary celebration began in San Francisco in March with a performance and gala event entitled India Jazz Suites and featured the award-winning collaboration between Pt. Das and tap dance star Jason Samuels Smith. The anniversary celebration continued this month in India alongside the opening of Chhandam’s newest branch in Mumbai.
During the solo Kathak performance on May 16th, several key individuals, presenters and community leaders are expected to be recognized, including Michael Alexander, Aman Dance Company & Grand Performances; Leona Wood, Aman Dance Company; Harihar and Paula Rao, Music Circle; and Harkishan Vasa, president of the Anekant Community Center.
A disciple of Pandit Chitresh Das since 2000, Mehta officially joined the Chitresh Das Dance Company in 2004 and has performed in several of the troupe’s critically acclaimed productions including Sampurnam, Pancha Jati and Shabd (featuring the groundbreaking technique of Kathak Yoga).
In 2009, Mehta was awarded the Apprenticeship Grant from the Alliance of California Traditional Arts for intensive training with Pandit Chitresh Das in the Traditional Kathak Solo. She recently returned from India performing with dance company in Kolkata at the NCPA/Tata Theatre in Mumbai, at the Shaniwarwada Dance Festival in Pune, and at the Bangalore Club in Bangalore.
EVENT DETAILS:
WHO: Rina Mehta and musicians Abhijit Banerjee (tabla); Jayanta Banerjee (sitar); Debashis Sarkar (vocals)
WHAT: A Traditional Kathak Solo by Rina Mehta, accompanied by live Indian classical music; also a special opening tabla solo by Sri Abhijit Banerjee.
WHEN: Sunday, May 16, 2010, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
