Abhinaya to Present LOVE EXQUISITE at Cowell Theater, 6/7

Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose will perform for the first time at the SF International Arts Festival, presenting Love Exquisite in the S. Indian classical dance style, Bharatanatyam. The performance explores the timeless concept of love through traditional and contemporary poetry, elucidating ancient Indian and modern concepts. The production takes the audience on a journey through the various stages of love, starting with blossoming of emotion, followed by the intensity of longing, the pangs of separations and finally, the bliss of union. The concept of sringara-bhakti, or personification of the soul yearning to be one with divine as a woman longing to be one with her beloved, plays a central role in the exploration of this theme. Drawing from the Sanskrit poetry of Kalidasa to the Tamil Poetry of the saint Andal, the different moods of love will be portrayed. The company of seven dancers will be joined by four musicians from Chennai, India. Choreography will be led by award winning Associate Artistic Director and principal dancer Rasika Kumar. Additional choreography will be by Artistic Director Mythili Kumar, and music composition by Asha Ramesh.

Abhinaya Dance Company under Mythili Kumar's direction is renowned for its innovative and professional quality performances. Founded in 1980, Abhinaya has staged over 30 original dance productions showing adherence to tradition as well as collaboration with other art forms such as taiko, and Balinese music. The company has appeared several times in the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. Abhinaya has been awarded several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and from state and city agencies. This year Abhinaya celebrates its 35th Anniversary.