Daryll Garcia
Auckland, June 25, 2024
Directed by internationally renowned dancer, choreographer and teacher Vivek Kinra, Vismaya is a celebration of classical Indian music and dance, presented in collaboration with Chamber Music New Zealand. This vibrant programme showcases the dancers from the acclaimed Mudra Dance Company, accompanied by an esteemed ensemble of South Indian musicians. The five centre tour will be presented in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Nelson, and Christchurch from June 29, 2024 – July 6, 2024.
Dates and Locations
Q Rangatira, Auckland
Saturday, June 29, 2024, 7.30pm
The Meteor Theatre, Hamilton
Sunday, June 30, 2024, 7.30pm
Little Theatre, Lower Hutt, Wellington
Tuesday July 2, 2024, 7.30pm
Nelson Centre Of Musical Arts, Nelson
Thursday July 4, 2024, 7.30pm
The Piano, Christchurch
Saturday July 6, 2024, 7.30pm
About the Show
The classical ensemble includes a vocalist and nattuvangam player who guides musicians playing traditional instruments such as the mridangam (a two headed drum), flute, and veena (a traditional Indian string instrument). The vocal percussion of the nattuvangam not only provides musical cues to the instrumentalists but also synchronizes with the dancers’ movements, maintaining rhythm and signalling changes in tempo.
Vismaya, meaning ‘amazement’ in Sanskrit, explores the wonders of complex emotions and philosophical thoughts through the expressive art of Bharata Natyam dance and the intricate melodies of classical Indian music. Through the narrative of the love story between Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, musicians and dancers come together to depict nine prime emotions – Love, Disgust, Terror, Wonder, Laughter, Valor, Fury, Compassion, and Peace.
“The art form of Bharata Natyam blends South Indian music and dance synergistically to create a magical theatre experience. I am thrilled to be able to present an exhilarating combination of South Indian music and dance to New Zealand audiences through this new work of Vismaya, performed by senior dancers of Mudra Dance Company, accompanied by a live ensemble of distinguished musicians visiting from South India.” – Vivek Kinra, Director & Choreographer.
Shifting fluidly from its graceful and elegant introduction to the lively finale, brimming with percussive precision and vibrant energy, Vismaya is a powerful and moving display of motion, colour, melody, and rhythm.
Artists
Vivek Kinra, Director & Choreographer
Mudra Dance Company Dancers
Ranjani Ganesan Ramesh, Vocalist & Nattuvangam
Adyar K. Gopinath, Mridangam (Percussion)
Tiruchy L. Saravanan, Flute
Jaishri Suresh, Veena (Traditional Indian string instrument)
This Chamber Music New Zealand Series tour is generously sponsored by the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
Daryll Garcia is an Indian Newslink Audience Engagement Expert based in Auckland.
