Saturday, Aug 26
Third concert in the series of "Kala Virasat" - by "Banyan Tree".
Had seen Madhavi Mudgal's troupe on an earlier occasion and was quite unimpressed. On insistence by husband to give the performers a "second chance" we attended this concert.
Madhavi Mudgal is quite past her time: neither are the movements graceful nor the expressions spell binding. The performance was too rigid for Odissi really. (In the next month we attended an Odissi recital by "Daksha Mashruwala" and group under the concert series "Gati Gayand" that was a more "flowing" Odissi).
After 5 minutes of brilliantly choreographed stage formations by the group, one really keeps waiting for the "real thing" to start anytime. But no - the group formations and steps that keep repeating to (repetitive) music did not manage to hold our attention at all. I have learnt dance, but have outgrown the "demonstration of good steps, and stage formations" really. Even if projected as entertainment (which dance is NOT supposed to be in my opinion), to hold attention one needs mood variations, and twists which were completely absent. Mere tempo variations could not do the job at all.
We both enjoy the elaboration and expression of themes (most preferably explained in advance). More specifically - elaboration of STORY THEMES, and interpretation of classics. (Digressing: another unkind word towards "abstract themes" which are conveniently left to the audience 's interpretation, who are mostly left clueless on what angle are they supposed to interpret anyway - covered in yet another unkind review of "Leela Samson" and group).
More expressive performance came through from Aarushi Mudgal - the celebrated niece of Madhavi. Kalidasa's Kumarasambhavam piece was interpreted well. The story goes thus: Parvati is unable to attract Shiva in any way other than through penance/ meditation. So she undergoes strict austerities and physical hardships. Shiva teases her by taking the form of an ascetic. In the end all ends well and both unite.
(My commentary on this piece itself would take another blog - what a loser Parvati is to undergo austerities for her husband who is supposed to love and support her anyway. What a loser husband Shiva is: to be such a husband AND to tease her when she undergoes hardships. Please - someone CHANGE our "moral stories" to match societal evolution !!!)
Returning to the performance.
Our view: If you don't mind entertainment, and have some patience, please do go. If you are looking for creative expression beyond technical mastery: can be completely avoided.
Had seen Madhavi Mudgal's troupe on an earlier occasion and was quite unimpressed. On insistence by husband to give the performers a "second chance" we attended this concert.
Madhavi Mudgal is quite past her time: neither are the movements graceful nor the expressions spell binding. The performance was too rigid for Odissi really. (In the next month we attended an Odissi recital by "Daksha Mashruwala" and group under the concert series "Gati Gayand" that was a more "flowing" Odissi).
After 5 minutes of brilliantly choreographed stage formations by the group, one really keeps waiting for the "real thing" to start anytime. But no - the group formations and steps that keep repeating to (repetitive) music did not manage to hold our attention at all. I have learnt dance, but have outgrown the "demonstration of good steps, and stage formations" really. Even if projected as entertainment (which dance is NOT supposed to be in my opinion), to hold attention one needs mood variations, and twists which were completely absent. Mere tempo variations could not do the job at all.
We both enjoy the elaboration and expression of themes (most preferably explained in advance). More specifically - elaboration of STORY THEMES, and interpretation of classics. (Digressing: another unkind word towards "abstract themes" which are conveniently left to the audience 's interpretation, who are mostly left clueless on what angle are they supposed to interpret anyway - covered in yet another unkind review of "Leela Samson" and group).
More expressive performance came through from Aarushi Mudgal - the celebrated niece of Madhavi. Kalidasa's Kumarasambhavam piece was interpreted well. The story goes thus: Parvati is unable to attract Shiva in any way other than through penance/ meditation. So she undergoes strict austerities and physical hardships. Shiva teases her by taking the form of an ascetic. In the end all ends well and both unite.
(My commentary on this piece itself would take another blog - what a loser Parvati is to undergo austerities for her husband who is supposed to love and support her anyway. What a loser husband Shiva is: to be such a husband AND to tease her when she undergoes hardships. Please - someone CHANGE our "moral stories" to match societal evolution !!!)
Returning to the performance.
Our view: If you don't mind entertainment, and have some patience, please do go. If you are looking for creative expression beyond technical mastery: can be completely avoided.
