Dear Friends,
The 5th chapter of Eka Bhavana, a solo bharatanatyam festival, co-presented by Suvarna Fine Arts (Johor Bahru), Lahari Theatre and Thanjavur Heritage Arts and Cultural Academy, premiered last night on 13 Sept, 2024 at the Tan Sri Soma Auditorium.
The festival, co-directed by Guru Ajith Bhaskaran, musician Theban Arumugam and Shri Thavasakayam Suppiah, endeavours to revisit the splendour of solo dance. The 3-day festival features emerging and established solo bharatanatyam dancers in Malaysia.
The festival was graced by pioneer dancer and guru, Dr Chandrabhanu, who spoke of the need to have a platform, able to evaluate and elevate the bharatanatyam standard and the accompanying music, in Malaysia.
For its first day offering last night, Eka Bhavana presented two solo artists Ananda Sharma and Sheela Raghavan. Both dancers displayed two different approaches and visages of this Southern classical style. Ananda Sharma presented a more vigorous tandav style and Sheela, a softer lasya quality of interpretation.
Invitee dancer Ramli Ibrahim spoke on ‘redefining the usage of “modernity” and “contemporary” within the context of Indian classical dance’ and the need to de-colonise public perception of the evolving Asian dances from simplistic western viewpoints.
Eka Bhavana should endeavour to continue to feature excellent dancers representing the diverse banis within the thriving bharatanatyam communities in Malaysia, reflecting the tradition of their founding fathers.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the varied solo talents available in Malaysia!
Sutra.