Arno Kamolika's Bharatnatyam Interpretation of Shyama
Rabindranath Tagore's epic dance drama, Shyama, has been beautifully adapted and given an entirely new outlook by accomplished dancer Arno Kamolika in her solo Bharatnatyam production. Steering away from traditional repertoires of Bharatnatyam, this experimental piece uses this classical dance form to express the story. Arno, through her expressive dancing and facial expressions, portrays all the characters of this play as a solo performer. The production is choreographed by Jai Govinda, the artistic director of Mandala Arts and Culture.
“Shyama” will be staged at Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver, Canada on October 10 at 7:30pm. Vancouver Tagore Society joining hands with Mandala Arts & Culture are organising the show.
The romantic tragedy of Tagore is based on the story of Shyama, a powerful royal court dancer. Shyama falls in love with a foreign merchant who is falsely imprisoned by the king's guard. The story slowly unfolds as Shyama travels great lengths to save her love from unjust execution, at times at the expense of others' lives.
“Bharatanatyam is a form of classical dance that I have been learning with full devotion from my wonderful Gurus from three different countries -- Sharmila Banerjee and Belayet Hossain from Bangladesh, Padmabhushan Professor C.V. Chandrasekhar from India, and Jai Govinda from Canada. They are the foundation and pillar of what I do. On the other hand, Rabindranath Tagore is a name that I know from the cradle, when my mother used to sing his songs to me. With the blessings of my parents and all my Gurus, it is my humble attempt to bring two loves of my life together, thus bringing two art forms, cultures and communities together - Bharatanatyam and Tagore, Carnatic and Hindustani, dance and music, rhythm and poetry,” said Arno Kamolika.
“'Mandala Arts & Culture' and 'Vancouver Tagore Society' are two organisations that have been crucial in my existence as a Bengali and as an Indian Classical Dancer in Vancouver. With the unconditional support from these two, I was fortunate to find a place to practice what I love,” added the artiste.
Arno's rich repertoires of performances have taken her across the globe at various festivals in USA, Canada, Germany, India and Bangladesh. She has received the “Distinguished Dancer Award 2012” from Writers International Network, Vancouver for her contribution to dance.
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