Indo-American Arts Council Presented Virtual Erasing Borders Dance Festival From 9/20-27

Indo-American Arts Council presented the Erasing Borders Dance Festival from September 20-27, 2020 at 8:30pm EST each day for free on Facebook Live at facebook.com/iaac.us. For its twelfth year of the Erasing Borders Dance Festival, IAAC expanded the event globally. For the first time, eleven artists trained in Indian dance forms from across the world were brought together in a virtual borderless festival. The Festival had more than 200,000 viewers in total, with approximately 17,000 tuning in each day. Details are available at iaac.us/erasing-borders-dance-festival-2020/ and videos are available at https://www.youtube.com/user/IAACEvent/videos

Deepsikha Chatterjee, Festival Director stated, "Moving to a virtual format has its own artistic challenges, but we believe it opened up many creative possibilities. Our artists are from across the world, representing many of India's dance forms. Bringing them together on an online platform was not only the most responsible and exciting way of showcasing their work but also displayed the virtuosity of diversity."

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Shambhu Nath Karmakar/Ashpara Care Club (Purulia Chhau)

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g7ZwECP7CM

Monday, September 21, 2020

Neha Mondal Chakravarty (Kalakshetra Bharatanatyam)
Krishnakshi Kashyap (Sattriya)

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRak4B0AieE

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Ganesh Vasudeva (Bharatanatyam)

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9tk0QhzK3c (Available through DATE TK)

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Divyaa Unni (Bharatanatyam)
Arun Mathai (Bharatanatyam)

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMutfx4Hl0w

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Sandhya Raju (Kuchipudi)

Friday, September 25, 2020

Damir Tasmagambetov (Kalakshetra Bharatanatyam)
Barkha Patel (Contemporary Kathak)

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ4rSrdcItI

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Mesma Belsaré (Shilpa Natana)

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpIIqSnsCaM

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Vishwakiran Nambi (Contemporary)
Workshops by Nahid Siddiqui (Sufi Kathak)

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0cfyiMygzI

The Festival Dancers, turned away from traditional performance spaces, took the time to reflect, activate, and energize through other forms of healing. Mesma Belsaré sought inspiration in the fluid lines of India's ancient architecture while Singapore-based Neha Mondal Chakravarty meditated on a tiny seed sprouting into the fullness of womanhood in Bharatanatyam. Vishwakiran Nambi collected his contemporary group in the urbanscape of Bengalaru to use their bodies in deeply felt and original ways. Through his Bharatanatyam performance, Arun Mathai drew inspiration and energy from the Great God Shiva to support the Black Lives Matter movement in the US. New Yorker Damir Tasmagambetov from Kazakhstan, trained in Kalakshetra Bharatanatyam in India bridged many cultures, and concluded his creative presentation through a prayer for Shanti or peace. US based Kathak dancer

Barkha Patel was nourished by her week-long walk in Gujarat in prayers for Goddess Bahuchara Maa, a deity for the transgender community in India. Divyaa Unni in Bharatanatyam depicted the unusually calm Goddess Kalika, who appears with neem leaves and holy water this one time to bring balance and tranquility back. Kuchipudi dancer Sandhya Raju's solo presented Lord Krishna, the one who lifted the Govardhan mountain to provide much needed shelter. Her Tarangam dance piece on a brass plate, built through years of training provided much needed charm. Ganesh Vasudeva's Bharatanatyam depicted the Ganga River flowing down from the icy Himalayas, believed to be Lord Shiva's locks of hair, into nourishing rivers and streams. Assam's Sattriya dancer and social entrepreneur Krishnakshi Kashyap reflected on the centuries old meditative performances of the region while Purulia Chhau artist Shambhu Nath Karmakar marched with his ensemble in the traditional acrobatic martial art form to show Goddess Durga vanquishing Mahishasur, the bull demon to restore peace and prosperity.

About the Performances

Mahisasur Mardini,

performed by Shambhu Nath Karmakar

A traditional piece in the Purulia Chhau repertoire, this ensemble number introduces the all-powerful Goddess Durga (demon Mahisasur slayer) and her family as she vanquishes the evil buffalo demon. Each of the members of the family, Gods Ganesha, Kartik with his peacock companion, the great god Shiva, Goddesses Laksmi, Saraswati, and Durga and her lion companion enter the playing space, supported by the percussion of the Dhamsa drum, dhol drum, and the shehnai pipe. They show off their acrobatic process through leaps, jumps, and somersaults. Then comes the buffalo demon with his retinue of minor demons causing much destruction. Goddess Durga activates her omnipotent energy to tackle the demon. After a display of their strengths, good prevails over evil and the buffalo demon and his aides succumb to divine power. The Godly family can now assemble and shower their blessings on the earthly devotees. This piece is popular in the Bengali Durga puja circuit in the months of September and October.

Sukriti,

performed by Neha Mondal Chakravarty

A woman who is born, like a seed within the depths of earth that has millions of possibilities waiting to start spreading its roots across the earth and reaching towards the sky. But not yet, as it awaits the perfect conditions like moisture which is karuna/compassion to nurture those possibilities. And then she rises like a million suns, protecting the world and its beings. A mother knows no bound, allowing the compassion to flow as her natural instinct. She also weeps silently when the human suffers! And when the equilibrium is disturbed in a world that lacks compassion/empathy/love we learn to evolve or co-exist. The presentation shall revolve around Love/compassion/Empathy, an attempt to look through and find references from the present and mythology, from sufi wanderers with their mysticism and philosophy on life, to Krishna, the charmer and forever longing for his love "Radha." The ultimate source of life "Devi", all pervading, and an epitome of compassion. Join her as she attempts to highlight and bring back these virtues, which are gradually being forgotten.

Rama Niranjana,

performed by Krishnakshi Kashyap

The abhinaya-mimetic piece 'Rama Niranjana' is based on 'Gunamala', a scripture written by the great saint, poet, scholar and social, cultural and religious reformer Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev in one night at the request of Koch king Nara Narayan in 1552. It is an abridged version of the ten cantos of the 'Bhagawat Purana'- one of Hinduism's eighteen great Puranas, where the poet recounts incidents from Lord Krishna's life. It will depict mythological stories-the lifting of Govardhana mountain, overthrowing Kaliya snake and the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This will be followed by two traditional dance types of Sattriya, the Ojapali and the Bhortal-cymbal dance. The music for this dance is specially recorded for performance using traditional musical instruments like the Khol, Flute, Cymbals and Violin.

Rojaghoria Saali,

performed by Krishnakshi Kashyap

This is a pure dance number in 'Lashya'-feminine style of Sattriya Dance. In Shankardeva's era and later, Ahom kings patronized the Sattriya culture. The dancers were initially reluctant to perform the traditional dance outside the monasteries but accepted the royal command. They reformed and revised a version of the traditional form for the King's court, thus preserving the original form for the monasteries. Thus, emerged the Rojaghoriya Saali where 'Roja' means king and 'ghor' means house (court/palace), revealing that this dance was performed in the king's palace/court, sometime during the Ahom era in Assam.

Descent of the Ganges,

performed by Ganesh Vasudeva Hindu mythology says Ganges, The river goddess Ganga, originally flowed through the heavens. She was brought to earth by devout Sage Bhagiraths. Goddess Ganga agreed to flow to earth for the benefit of mankind but warned her torrential currents would wash the world away. Upon Bhagirath's request, Shiva put his matted hair in the path of the heavenly river. Ganga in her arrogance, tried to sweep Shiva away. Upon realizing this, Shiva tied her up in his deadlocks. Mythology tells us that upon the request of Bhagiratha, Shiva splits Ganga into many streams. However, in this rendering, the story is imagined differently. Ganga upon realizing that she cannot sweep Shiva away with force, tries her feminine charm on him. She slowly trickles down covering his eyes, nose. When she is about to descend on his lips, Shiva realizes Ganga's pranks, and lets her off gently from his matted locks.

In the charming Padam, a young maiden curious about Krishna asks her friend for details about him. She says what kind of man is he? Tell me everything you know about him.

In the Javali, a young bride chides Cupid for shooting flower arrows at her when her beloved husband is not at home.

It's a New Beginning, performed by Divyaa Unni

Humans consider themselves the most significant creation of God. Yet, human greed has constantly overpowered this blessing as humans have looted, disrupted and continuously destroyed this planet.

Surrounded by the fearful dark clouds of uncertainty humans cease to introspect. From deep within shines a divine light, the form of Goddess Kalika-the destroyer of evil forces. The female energy that represents the fullness of time-the changing aspect of nature. Her hands usually carry a demon head and sword, only this time holding neem leaves and holy water. She starts to dance around the world sprinkling holy water on the entire creation. Glancing deep into the eyes of the introspective human, she compassionately sprinkles the holy water on him. White flowers showers from her hand onto his head, on to the rivers, trees, plants and animals. Back in tune with the divine melody and realization; man once again starts to live in harmony with nature.

Shivoham, performed by Arun Mathai

Based on an excerpt from the Skanda Purana, Shivoham, choreographed by Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan and composed by Sri GS Rajan, uses the idiom of dance to experience the presence of Lord Nataraja in the body and soul. "Jeevaha Shivaha. Shivo Jeevaha." Shiva lives in every soul. Shiva is existence.

Shiva is synonymous with the fires of dissolution, but also the primordial drumbeat of creation. While we see both around us on a daily basis, it is hard not to focus solely on the negative, especially in the US, where racially motivated acts of violence happen every day. Just as Shiva maintains balance through the cycles of destruction and creation, we have the ability to overcome the violence of racism and police brutality through protest and social activism. Just as Shiva destroys in order to create, we have the power to dismantle systems of oppression in order to create a more just future. Shiva lives in every being. We are Shiva.

Govardhana Giri Dhara, performed by Sandhya Raju

This is a Kuchipudi Tharangam composed by saint Narayana Theertha and choreographed by Padma Bushan Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam Garu. It is set to Raagamalika and Adhi talam. As a quintessential Kuchipudi solo presentation, the Tharangam is the main act or crux of the recital. The song is in praise of Lord Krishna, whose many attributes are described and praised. Primarily as the one who lifted the Govardhana Mountain with his little finger, to provide shelter to his community against the angry wrath of Lord Indira, who summoned floods and storms against Brindavanam as they chose to do annual prayers to the mountain gods instead of Him.

This story which is enacted in detail is preludes by two more joyous tales of Krishna's life in Brindavanam.

One episode describes his love of milk and how he steals it greedily under the watchful eyes of his mother Yashodhara.

Another piece describes the legend of how he stole the beautiful Gopikas clothes and demands they come out of the water nude and pray to him. Symbolising that he teaches the Gopikas that God doesn't differentiate man or women and there should be no shame or vanity regarding the human body. These episodes are followed by beautiful yet ancient dance jathis using some of the oldest unique steps to the Kuchipudi classical style. The piece concludes with a traditional dance on the brass plate mastered with many years of intense practice.

Invocation: Ganapathi Stuthi, performed by Damir Tasmagambetov

Bala Ganapathi is an aspect of the Hindu God Ganesha, the elephant-headed of wisdom and fortune, depicted as a child.

The beautiful and beloved son of Shiva and Parvathi, and whose brother is Lord Muruga. You are destroyer of all the obstacles, and you are full of mercy and compassion. We bow to you O'Lord Bala Ganapathi!

Main piece: Kumarasambhavam, performed by Damir Tasmagambetov

Kumarasambhavam is widely regarded as one of Kalidasa's finest works. This keertanam is an extract from kumarasambavams 7th Sarga, which describes Lord Shiva's preparation for marriage. Ragam: Bibhas, Talam: Adi, Music composer : Sree Madhup Mudgal, Choreography: Smt. Leela Samson.

Conclusion: Shanti Path - mantra for the well being of all, performed by Damir Tasmagambetov

Those verses taken from Shanti Path, which is a mantra of Peace, Harmony and Happiness. May peace radiate sky as well in the vast ethereal space everywhere. May peace flow over the whole universe. And may there always exist in all peace and happiness.

Aravani/Pad Yatra, performed by Barkha Patel

This work was inspired by a week-long walking pilgrimage Barkha participated in from her hometown in Gujarat to the temple of Goddess Bahuchara. After being pulled away from an interaction with a local hijrah on temple grounds, Barkha began to realize that while the worship of a Goddess helps to include aravanis/hijras, they are still largely excluded within the larger social context of Indian society.

The work is a response to the duality Barkha experienced while on the yatra. While a community gathered to pray to Maa Bahuchara to be included in her merciful glance, several members of the same community shunned interactions with the descendants of the Goddess, transgenders or hijras, creating a separateness.

Still under textual research, this work shares the emotional experience of a hijrah. Mindful of the fact that Barkha herself is not a hijrah, her intention with this work was to bring to the forefront the importance of a community that is constantly marginalized by cultural stigma.

Shilpa Natana (The Dancing Sculptures), performed by Mesma Belsaré

Choreographed by NYC-based Maya Kulkarni, Shilpa Natana (The Dancing Sculptures) is rooted in the Sanskrit texts: the Natyashastra, the Abhinayadarpana and the Shilpa Shastra. This dance-genre steps out of the traditional Indian classical repertory. Chola, Mathura and Gandhara sculptures in addition to the Ajanta cave paintings inspire not only the choreography, but also the āhārya (costume, hair and make-up) of the dancer. The New York Times describes the dance as a "virtuoso number."

The repertory includes a refreshing interpretation of Līlā Shuka's verses from the classic Krishnakaranāmritam and a dance inspired by Ardhanārīśwara that establishes parallels between the half-Śiva-half-Umā iconography and the Nāsadīya Sukta (Hymn of Creation) in the Rig Veda (c.1700 B.C.E.).

Pyre, performed by Vishwakiran Nambi

We are just like different rays of sunlight which ultimately originates in the sun, and so even our destiny is to be together. But with twists and turns of life we end up building walls and burning bridges. We go through deep internal journeys that find resonance in the spirit of a friend or stranger's witness. The humanity that inevitably binds us, also makes us fellow pilgrims in these purposes seeking intimate implorations that are but pilgrimages.

Pilgrimages invariably also have a test to clear in view of purifying the spirit. They have the capacity to turn one's spirit inside out and shatter hopes, all within its tender embrace.

And this test - the test of fire revisits a pilgrim at various instances throughout one's journey in search of meaning. The quantum of anguish, pain, doubt and determination is physically experienced not necessarily by walking on pyre that is tangible, but also a pyre that exists inside one's being. To be ready to walk that pyre means to be ready to take the responsibility of the choice of meaning you observe after, perhaps, even completing a journey that you needn't had to make.