Gracing the stage with Odissi
Kiran Segal and her troupe perform at Osmani Memorial Hall
Mahmuda Afroz
Odissi (or Orissi) is the traditional style of dance that originated in the state of Orissa in Eastern India, where it was performed by the mahari (temple dancers). It is one of the oldest surviving forms of dance, dating back to 2200 B.C.E (evidence found in the caves of Khandagiri and Udayagiri in Orissa). Odissi is characterised by its curvaceous movements, sculpturesque poses full of languid grace and an imposing demeanour. The High Commission of India and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations organised a series of dances by Kiran Segal and her troupe. The troupe performed at the Engineers Institute in Chittagong on June 5 and at the Osmani Memorial Hall in Dhaka on June 8. Another performance will take place at B D Hall in Jessore today. Kiran Segal will also be conducting workshops for Odissi dance students during her trip. On June 8 the Osmani Memorial Hall was decorated with bright and colourful 'Rangoli'. Kiran Segal started the evening with the Mangalcharan -- a tribute to Mother Earth. In this dance the artiste offers flowers to the earth. She ends with the Trikhondi pranam -- a prayer offered to Shiva. The next performance is traditionally known as Sthayee. This showed the dancer looking in the mirror decorating herself. Though a traditional piece, Kiran had given the dance her own interpretation. The dance Ashtopati was based on a poem written in the 12th Century A.C.E. the composition talks about the rendezvous, love, separation and the reunion of Radha and Krishna. The dance portrays Radha finally meeting her beloved Krishna, but with telltale signs of his unfaithfulness to her. In total seven dances were performed by Kiran and her troupe. Anuradha Verma, Arushi Sen and Shupriya Nayak were the other members of the troupe. Kiran Segal is one of the most innovative among Odissi dancers and choreographers in India today. She is the finest exponent of Guru Mayadhara Raut style of Odissi dance. Her dance is known for its precision, lyrical nature and the traditional nuances, which are fast becoming rare. For her dedication and contribution to Indian classical dance, she has been honoured with titles and awards including Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Padmashree, Neelamadhava award, the Kala Shreshtha Samman, the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini award, the Kalpana Chawla award for excellence and more.
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Odissi dance exponent Kiran Segal (top) and her troupe members perform at the programme. PHOTO: STAR |
