Siva Dorairaj
Wellingtonians will have the first-hand experience of witnessing two forms of Indian classical dances at a programme scheduled to be held on October 3, 2015.
Mayur Dance Academy is organising the event at the Performing Arts Centre, Sacred Heart College located at 65 Laings Road in Lower Hutt.
Produced, directed and choreographed by Academy Director Suparna Basu, the programme will provide a unique opportunity for her students to showcase their talent.
Kathak format
Kathak is a classical dance form that traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathakars or storytellers, primarily as a means of portraying the epic tales.
It absorbed traces of temple and ritual dances, the influence of the Bhakti Movement and certain features of Persian and Central Asian dances imported by the Royal Courts of the Mughal era.
Out of three major schools or Gharanas of Kathak, Mayur Dance Academy specialises in the Jaipur Gharana, which was born in the courts of the Kachwaha Rajput Kings.
Bharat Natyam
As often reported, Bharata Natyam combined Bhavam (expression), Ragam (music), Thalam (rhythm) and Natyam (dance).
It is a form of Indian classical dance that originated in the Temples of Tamil Nadu.
Bharata Natyam is known for its grace, purity, tenderness, expression and sculpturesque poses.
Suparna extensively promotes Kathak and Bharata Natyam in the Wellington region. 
She established her Mayur Dance Academy four years ago both in Kilbirnie and Lower Hutt and in Johnsonville in 2013.
The Academy follows a skill-based system under which students are categorised by their skill level rather than their duration as a student.
This provides students the flexibility to learn at their own pace.
Tickets, priced at $20 (Adults), $15 (Children between 5 and 15 years) are on sale. Free entry for children below five years of age.
Siva Dorairaj is President of Wellington Mutamizh Sangam. Further details can be obtained from him on 021-1733044 or from Suparna Basu on 021-1431341.
Emails: suparna.basu2010@gmail.com; sivadorairaj@gmail.com
Photo Caption:
- Kathak-Bharata Natyam combination with Nimmi Gnanasekaran, Vinita Gupta and Diasha Jangid
- Nimmi Gnanasekaran strikes a Bharata Natyam pose
