Beauty in the eye of the beholder

The dancers were immaculate in demonstrating their sculpturesque postures and lively expressions. Photo: Mumit M.

Marking the conclusion of the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore and hailing the Bard's 151st birth anniversary, Artistes of Pallavi Dance Centre, Dhaka, staged Tagore dance-drama “Shapmochan” at National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on May 4.
Noted classical dance exponent and founder director of the troupe Minu Haque choreographed and directed “Shapmochan”. She also designed costumes for the production. The troupe premiered the dance drama at Kamani Auditorium, Delhi on April 5 on the occasion of the yearlong joint celebration (between Bangladesh and India) of Kabiguru's 150th birth anniversary.
The story of “Shapmochan” revolves around Sourasen and Madhushree, who were born on earth after being banished from Lord Indra's heavenly court. The travails of the couple and Madhushree's final recognition that inner beauty is far more important than external appearances form the crux of the dance drama.
The dancers were immaculate in demonstrating their graceful movements, sculpturesque postures, rhythmic footsteps, lively expressions and of course incorporation of precise emotions in the production.
What set the entire performance apart was the dancers' devotional charisma of mingling timeless Tagore songs including "Bhora Thak Smriti Shudhaye", "Jagoroney Jaye Bibhabori", "Tumi Ki Keboli Chhobi", "Sedin Dujoney", "Tomar Ananda Oi", "Rangiye Diye JaoJao", "Esho Esho Amar Ghar-e", "Ami Elem", "Aaji Dokhin O Duar Khola", and "Mor Bina Uthey Kon Sur-e Baji" with the essence of Odissi and Srijanshil Nritya. Noted Tagore singers Mita Haque, Bulbul Islam and Anima Roy lent their voices in rendition for the record. Amit Bandapadhaya directed music for the production.
Kosturi Mukharjee donned the role of Kamolika while Anik Bose enacted Aruneshwar in “Shapmochan”. Salma Begum, A.B.M. Shahidul Islam, Smita Dey, Nure Alam Chandan, Maitree Sarker and Tofayel Ahmed enacted the roles of Madhushree, Sourasen, Urvashi,Indra, Indrani and King in the dance drama respectively.
Subrata Kumar Das, Naznin Alam Julie, Moon Moon Biswas, Rumpa Biswas, Ataul Fatema, Antu Majumder and Oindrila Chakraborty formed the other cast members. Irin Pervin Lopa designed the set, light and stage for the production.
At the end of the performance, president and general secretary of Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha Laila Hasan and Deepa Khandakar presented a bouquet to Minu Haque.