
Image © John ross, ADT
Aum
world premiere: 2008 Critics' circle National dance Awards at London's sadler's wells theatre, 26th january 2009
Neo classical Bharatanatyam
solo inspired by the most sacred sound of Indian spirituality, Aum,
incorporating the story of conflict between Krishna the Blue God and
Kalinga the serpent, where Krishna represents the Self, and Kalinga the Ego.
Commissioned by the Critics’
Circle National Dance Awards UK, for the 2008 National Dance
Awards at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre, on Monday 26th January, 2009.
Concept and Choreography: Ash Mukherjee
Oordhava Tandavam
world premiere: 4 Rifles officers' mess summer ball june 2010
This work has the unlikely origin of having been
created for the 4 RIFLES Officers' Mess Summer Ball of 2010. The collborator is Arunima
Kumar, one of India's most versatile leading temple dancers.
When given the choice between a populist
Bollywood style dance piece or a classical piece with temple dance origins,
dating from 900 B.C, the army officers, chose to celebrate their return from
Afghanisthan with a temple dance piece. The piece itself, which is based on the
premise of a dance contest between the Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali, brought out
the differences and balance between masculine and feminine divinity through
grand virtuosic feats and remarkably fast and precise footwork. The reaction
from the Officers, at the right moments within the piece seemed instinctual yet
informed...they seemed to get it. Which just proved to us again that
although temple dance may be ancient, it certainly is not archaic.
Based on a concept by Ash Mukherjee. Choreography: Ash Mukherjee with Arunima Kumar