Master of dance promises another treat

Wellingtonians and those interested in Indian classical dances could expect a scintillating evening as one of our most talented artistes presents a unique concert.

Vivek Kinra and students of his Mudra Dance Company will present a series of sequences depicting romance, disputes, conflicts, victories and vicissitudes of Hindu Gods and Goddesses from various epics, sacred books and scriptures.

The event, called, ‘Satvika,’will be held on May 25 and 26 respectively at 730 pm and 4 pm at the Whitireia Theatre (25 Vivian Street) in Wellington.

A press note said that ‘Satvika’ premiered at the ‘Body Festival’ in Christchurch, an annual programme of dance and physical theatre.

A highly talented dancer, choreographer, teacher and performer, Mr Kinra’s shows are replete with colour, costumes, vibrant music, exquisite stage settings and most important of all, awe-inspiring ‘mudras’(gestures), which are the quintessence of Indian classical dances in general and Bharata Natyam in particular.

Government honours

He has been a recipient of accolades and honours, the most significant of which came from the Government, which appointed him as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZOM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List three years ago for his services to the Indian traditional dance (Indian Newslink, June 15, 2010).

Mr Kinra is among a few who have upheld the traditional form of Indian classical dance, without straying into the repulsive area of Bollywood. Alumni of Kalakshetra, the world’s foremost dance academy based in Chennai, he has demonstrated the glory and dignity of Bharata Natyam for almost 25 years in the Capital.

‘Satvika’ is expected to reinforce the dynamism and creativity of the dancer, with a kaleidoscope of motion, colour, music, mime and rhythm.

Sparkling show

“The dances would highlight Mr Kinra’s choreography, which combines traditional and innovative elements of dance. It would be a visual feast of brilliant sari colours, traditional headdresses of braids and flowers and the sparkle of gorgeous jewellery,” the press note said.

The forthcoming dance drama will also feature Karthikeya or Subramanya, the younger son of Lord Shiva. Also known as Murugan, He is exclusively worshipped by Tamilians and is described as ‘The Tamil God.’

According to the press release, “Kartikeya is cosmically linked to the Pleiades, the cluster of stars that lie in a nearby galaxy 400 light years away.”