Workshops, lectures and performances in World Dance Day celebrations by Geeta and Rajiv Chandran

These might be the hot, dry summer months in Delhi when little happens, but the Chandrans’ World Dance Day celebrations always bring a breath of fresh air to the slow dance scene in the summer. As they do each year, Geeta and Rajiv Chandran and their Natya Vriksha foundation are organizing a packed two-day World Dance Day celebration this weekend, on April 28 and 29.

Bharatanatyam exponent Geeta Chandran

Day 1, April 28 – this Saturday – will see a morning workshop on ‘Theatre and movement’ by Prof. Anuradha Kapur, renowned theatre director and innovator. The afternoon lecture is on ‘Serpent Worship and its Influence on Indian Iconography and Art’ by Dr Shreedevi Nair Pal and a display of paintings and sculptures curated by Rasaja Foundation. The Natya Vriksha Lifetime Achievement Award this year will be awarded to photographer Avinash Pasricha, also on Day 1. That evening, the Young Dancers’ Festival will see Bharatanatyam by Shweta Prachande, a disciple of Guru Priyadarshini Govind, and Odissi by Monami Nandy, a disciple of Guru Sharmila Biswas. Culture minister Dr Mahesh Sharma will be the chief guest here.

Day 2, April 29 – Sunday – will see a morning workshop on ‘Brahmari: Enhancing skills for kinetic movement and body transformation’ by renowned Odissi dancer Sharmila Biswas. The afternoon lecture will be on ‘Traditional Performing Arts in Education’ and ‘Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy and her case of the Devadasis’ by Dr V. R. Devika, founder of The Aseema Trust. The second day’s Young Dancers’ Festival will have Kathak by Vidyagauri, a disciple of Guru Rajendra Gangani, and Kuchipudi by Sreelakshmy Govardhanan, a disciple of Guru Sri Pasumarthy Rattaiaha Sarma.

The venue for these activities is the India International Centre (IIC) on Lodhi Road. For further details and inquiries, please email natyavriksha@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.
And if you love dance, please try to attend as many of these as you can!