The World Music Institute Announces the Return of DANCING THE GODS, 4/25-26

The World Music Institute is proud to present the fourth annual DANCING THE GODS festival, to be held April 25 and April 26 at NYU Skirball Center (566 LaGuardia Place). This festival unites some of the world's most talented Indian classical dancers with live musicians for two spectacular nights of performances and free activities that bring the audience closer to the artists.

Rama Vaidyanathan and Dakshina Vaidyanathan

Saturday, April 25, 2015
8:00 p.m. - Mainstage Performance
7:00 p.m. - Lecture-demonstration on "Gurus and Dance Lineages" with Rajika Puri
After the show - Chat & Chai discussion with the artists

Premier Bharatanatyam exponent Rama Vaidyanathan made her New York debut at Dancing the Gods in 2011, a performance praised as "vivid" and "exciting" by The New York Times. This time she returns with her daughter, upcoming star Dakshina Vaidyanathan in "DWITA - Duality Of Life." In DWITA, a Sanskrit term that means duality, a mother and her daughter remind us of the dualities in that pairing. While both complement and empower each other, one symbolizes the present and the other is significant to the future. They explore how there are always two sides to a coin, two paths to a goal, and discover that, for both to coexist, both must be recognized. The production, choreographed by Rama, is accompanied by her ensemble of musicians from India.

Prashant Shah, and the Parul Shah Company

Sunday, April 26, 2015
7:00 p.m. - Mainstage Performance
6:00 p.m. - Lecture-demonstration on "Gurus and Dance Lineages" with Rajika Puri
After the show - Chat & Chai discussion with the artists

Prashant Shah and Parul Shah Company each perform a tribute to their shared teacher Padma Bhushan Kumudini Lakhia, a legendary pioneer in contemporary Kathak and founder of Kadamb Centre for Dance & Music. Prashant Shah's solo work has focused on returning to the traditional roots of Kathak, with its brilliant footwork and compelling rhythms; he is accompanied by a master tabla player. Parul Shah excels also in contemporary group choreography often set to new music; her new work "Can't Trust the Bols" is accompanied by tabla and cello.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

In 2011, World Music Institute launched the annual Dancing the Gods festival, which has since established itself as an essential platform for Indian classical dance in New York City.Dancing the Gods spotlights veteran masters and emerging ones, and has been met with substantial critical acclaim, including a New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie) "Outstanding Performer" nomination for Shantala Shivalingappa, and a rave New York Times review for the U.S. premiere of Nrityagram's Samyoga. Performances take place downtown in NYU Skirball Center's beautiful 800-seat theater. In addition to the MainStage events, the Festival offers free activities such as lecture-demonstrations and "Chat & Chai" with the artists.

Tickets at $35-40 (Bring a Kid tickets available for $5) are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.worldmusicinstitute.org, by calling (212) 545-7536, or in person at the WMI Box Office at 101 Lafayette Street, #801. They can also be purchased through the NYU Skirball Center Box Office, LaGuardia Place between Washington Square South and West 3rd Street,
(212) 998-4941, nyuskirball.org.

Photo Courtesy of WMI

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