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Shila Mehta A rare combination of Performer, Choreographer, Director, Mass Choreographer, teacher, administrator and an artist, Shila Mehta has worked tirelessly to promote Indian Classical Dance & Music, both in India & abroad. An internationally renowned Kathak dancer par excellence – she exudes positive vibrations and energy. Shila is recognised for artistry, eloquence and spirituality in her presentations. She has the blessing of Gurus like Late Pt. Prahalad Das, Pt. Vijai Shankar, Pt. Birju Maharaj, Pt.Suresh Talwalkar, Pt. Chitresh Das, Smt. Kumudini Lakhia, and Smt. Kalanidhi Narayana in grooming her as a dancer and an artist. She has learned Bharatnatyam, Manipuri and Folk Dances and has been trained as a Vocalist. Some of the honours received:
Shila has extended her studies with research in Charan Parampara of Gujarat and Kathak. “CHARANI KATHAK” and “CHAITANYA YOGA” are innovative concepts that were conceived and developed by her and speak volume of her creative abilities. Under cross-cultural section, she has done collaborative work with Flamenco, Modern dance, Jazz and ballet dancers. Her strong belief that Art along with all its values is essential to lead a quality life offers her fulfillment as founder and an Artistic Director of Nupur Zankar Academy of Performing Arts & Research Centre, Mumbai, India. A COLOURFUL & SPECTACULAR -SOLO & GROUP CHOREOGRAPHY IN KATHAK DANCE IDIOM [1st to 10th October, 09 in 9 cities of Kerala ] 1ST OCT-KOLLAM, 2ND OCT-ALAPPUZHA, 3RD OCT- KOTTAYAM, SOORYA FESTIVAL 2009One of the longest arts festivals of the world CONCEPT, CHOREOGRAPHY & DIRECTIONShila Mehta KATKAK SOLO
Shila Mehta KATHAK GROUPRekha Madkaikar MUSICVivek Mishra – Tabla LIGHTMohan  Art is a bridge to the values of life
[Some of the following items will be presented at each location]
A Dancer creates a serene atmosphere through devotion in the beginning of the Dance. The vision of Lord Nataraja in his avatar of Arhdanarihswar comes alive with this dance creating the mood of Devotion.The “Ardhnareshwar Awtar” of lord Shiva is indicative of duality. BANSIWALE:A Bhajan by Maharaja Swati Tirunal,-the great prodigy ,scholar bhakta and was singularly great in the infinity of variety and versatility of his compositions in their suitability for Dance and in the number of languages he handled with felicity. Bansiwale ne man moha- the poet says bans wale ne ie, Krishna attracts mind and makes Gopika happy bysinging & playing flute. Thinking about him of his cloud like tan and handsome figure Gopikas forget themselves. Lord Padmanabha is friend to weaker ones and protects all the people. RAM BHAJAN:A bhajan depicting different heroic deeds of both of Rama & Krishna is danced.
MANIPRAVALAM & PADA - SWATHI THIRUNAL:Four beautiful compositions of Swathi Thirunal are depicting different state of minds of Gopikas who are always pining for Lord Padmanabha’s love and grace. The first Manipravalam depicts the dialogue between two friends .One asking another that why she looks so tired and where she has spend her time. In reply her friend makes excuses but at the end gets caught that she was in the company of Lord Padmanabha. The second Pada reveals the inspiration of the rest of the gopis to be in company of Lord Padmanabha and pleads him to come. The third Manipravalam depicts the seperation of Gopi from her beloved Krishna and shares her feelings of seperation with other friends telling them how she now does not like her shringar, the singing of Birds and even the soft touch of couch reminds him of Lord. In the fourth Pada, Gopikas feel the presence of Lord with them who dances with them in joy and leaves them in ecstacy. SARANG:Sarang is a musical composition based on raag sarang and Tal Teen Tal ( drut laya)- 16 beats comprising of all intricate Toda, Tukra, Tatkar, Tihai and Parans. This choreography takes the excitement to a novel creation. It is yet another construction on the same foundation, but with a different mood of creation. It is a presentation of Tarana in traditional and innovative styles. It is a unique presentation of Kathak with Dandias (sticks). SAM CHAKRA VANDANA:Where the sounds of the bells will reach out to the inner self and ring in absolute silence .It is a unique experience of growing outside in .The significance of bells and potent power of rhythm can be best seen in this Solo presentation where a man in the journey of his life finds one-“SOOR”, i.e. one eternal spirit everywhere. He also finds that all are guided and linked by one spirit only - one “SOOR”. He questions, what is this Eternal Spirit? Where does it come from?
Natawari Nritta means a pure dance number in which the intricacies of the style are unfolded gradually into complex rhythmic patterns. The expression of this dance is joy. It comprises various Thaat..Aamad..Toda.. Tukra.. Tatkar.. Paran.. Tihai..Kavitta in Tal-Teental-16 beats in 3 different Layas-Vilambit-Madhya-Drut Laya.
RAM VANWAS—A POPULAR EPISODE FROM RAMAYANA [Poet Tulsidas]:In the abhinaya section, an episode from Ramayana was danced depicting the characters like Dashrath, Rama, Sita, Laxman, Kaikayi,Manthara and the Ayodhya vasis. All the people of Ayodhaya are excited to hear the news of Rama becoming King and are getting ready for the celebrations. Manthara’s wicked mind plans on something else and reminds Kaikeyi to ask from King Dashrath the two promises promised by him. The first one is to make His son Bharat the new king instead of Rama and second to send Rama to forest for 14 years. King dashratha keeps his promise but sacrifices his life against that and all Ayodhyavasis are in a state of Shock.
This is a popular episode taken from Bhagvad Gita, one of the holy scriptures of India, which is actually a divine wisdom adhered to mankind for all times. When Arjuna, one of the heroes of Mahabharata entered the battlefield, he dropped all his arms and refused to fight - looking at all the dear ones, relatives, and friends on the opposite side. At that time Lord Krishna – the Supreme Being reveals the truth of life in his message to Arjuna, The message is renowned scripture of Gita where KRISHNA says, and “the whole world is pervaded by me, all being exist in me Those who worship me with devotion are in me and I am in them. Therefore, stand up and obtain fame, conquer the enemy and enjoy the unrivalled kingdom”. The Artist, through her solo Kathak dance presentation, will depict the above incident. Barkha Bahar (Message Of Monsoon):Unique compositions on Monsoon season evoking various Rasas on both worldly and spiritual planes will be presented in Kathak Dance style through Joola, Kajri, Dadra, Thumri and Sufi Music. Monsoon evokes different feelings at various stages of life. During childhood, the monsoon indicates a season of fun and frolic, playing and enjoying. In youth the monsoon invokes the feelings of romance, the desire to be close to one’s beloved i.e. Shringar Rasa.The same Monsoon has very different impact on the separation from ones beloved during late young age - Agony of separation - Viraha Rasa.As one moves towards the middle age and the later stages of life, the realization of the power of the almighty sets in. After all its He who runs the whole world, and it is His creation-the Nature-which beautifies our lives. The realization of this naked truth of the life gets maximum boost during the middle age and onwards. The NAZARIYAAN- outlook, towards life changes totally. During this age one reacts to the Monsoon as a gift from God - Shant Rasa. As the rains drench the human beings, they quench different kinds of thirsts at various stages of our lives. But towards the dusk of life, these rains, resulting from the merger of clouds with lightning seem to give a powerful message - essence of eternal happiness lies in the union of THE SOUL WITH THE SUPER SOUL.
Thumri is a class of composition of lyrics. It has only few lines but each phrase is repeated again and again with different mood that primarily focuses on Sringar Ras. Krishna tells Gopi to spend time with him where as Gopi all the time tries to keep Krishna waiting as she has to finish all her household works and also take care of her in-laws. At the end she dresses up fully in 16 adornments (sringar) and keeps her promise. RANG BAHAR- HORI :Different moods of Jashoda, Radha & Gopis in conversation with Krishna are depicted through 4 different Hori Songs based on different Ragas. A rare combination of Performer, Choreographer, Director, Mass Choreographer, teacher, administrator and an artist, Shila Mehta has worked tirelessly to promote Indian Classical Dance & Music, both in India & abroad. An internationally renowned Kathak dancer par excellence – she exudes positive vibrations and energy. Shila is recognised for artistry, eloquence and spirituality in her presentations. She has also mastered the art of Mass Choreography by working with 1500 participants on stage at a time. More than 1000 dance students have been trained under her. Her Solo performances and group choreographies presented all over the world have won her many prestigious awards.
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