Drama and the power of love

Choreographer Sandra Sookdeo will lead a troupe of young, talented dancers at the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre from September 2-3 at 3 pm each day.

The first half of the programme will begin with the traditional Oddissi recital consisting of dance pieces such as Ganesh Vandana, Buttu, Kalyan Pallavi, Moksha and Das Mahavidya (the ten incarnations of the Divine Mother).

Vocals will be done by Sanjaali Maharaj, Khimchan Bhairosingh, Keshari Pragg Pakh-awaj, Vijay Kissoon and Garima Sahatoo Parhant. Kreshma Roopnarine will play the basurie (flute) to accompany the songs.

The second half is the dance drama using a variety of Indian classical dance styles such as Kathak, Oddissi, Chau and creative movements to portray the divine women of the scriptures such as the Ramayana, Krishna Leela and the Devi Bhagavatam.

The excerpts chosen for the drama highlight the significance of a woman’s strength, compassion, duty, piousness and most importantly divine and immortal love.

One of the many highlights of the dance drama is the portrayal of the greatest love story in Indian history, that of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

Lady Mumtaz Mahal’s immortal love for her husband King Shah Jahan made him very depressed after her death and King Shah Jahan built a monument for the sake of love that would capture the imagination of the world, the Taj Mahal.

The theme of the pieces portrays the unconditional love a woman possesses and the different stages of a woman’s life such as a youth, a bride/wife, mother and widow.

The scenes are as follows: ‘Maakan Chor’, ‘Ras Leela’, ‘Mantra’s Evil Counsel’, ‘Shurpanakha Katha’, ‘Shabari Katha’, ‘Praises to Mother Kali’, ‘Preparations for Parviti’s Wedding’, ‘Rati Sukha Sare’, and ‘Ravana and Mandodari’.

Sookdeo was trained locally for 15 years by India-born dance tutors, the late Predeep Shankar, Shri Pratap Pawar and Priya Pawar.

She also spent five years advancing her skills in classical and folk dances, music, Hindi and Sanskrit in India under the expert guidance and blessings of the grandmaster of Oddissi — Guru Mayadhar Raut.

On her return from India Sookdeo dedicated her life to sharing her knowledge and presented dance recitals annually. These include ‘Swagatam’, ‘Sangeet Bhavana’, ‘Lok Utsav’, ‘Baal Krishna Leela’, ‘Krishna Avatar’, ‘Bhakti Sagar’, ‘Ramayan Katha’ and the very much acclaimed ‘Mahadev’ and ‘Maa Skakti’.

“Chamatkari Nariya” is in honour of the late Harichan Sookdeo. Tickets are available at Prishanti Orientals.