Bharathanatyam A Step Apart, Production notes

THE CONCEPT

BHARATANATYAM: A STEP APART was conceptualized by Aparna Keshaviah and Maya Nambisan in the fall of 2003. Their vision was to explore a bharatanatyam margam, or traditional repertoire, through innovation. To this end, each piece in the program has one aspect of its traditional choreography altered. Many of the pieces in the program feature original choreography and music developed exclusively for this performance. Through this choreography, Aparna and Maya hope to illustrate the evolution of traditional dance in transition, moving from the temples and gurukulams (cooperative schools) of India to the cosmopolitan American coasts, and thus growing a step apart from its ancient roots.

The production will be accompanied by a live orchestra consisting of notable musicians from the Boston metropolitan and surrounding area, and all profits will be donated to the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (see below).

Sanchali : The Troupe

Sanchali consists of dancers whose career and educational interests have brought them to the Bay State from all over the United States. All of the dancers have completed their arangetrams (two-hour solo graduation dance performance) and have performed throughout the U.S. and the world. This is their first collaborative performance.

Sanchali: The Name

Sanchali means movement in Sanskrit, the language in which most Indian languages are rooted. With regard to the performance, Sanchali has a double meaning: representing the movement inherent in dance itself, as well as the metaphorical movement of each dance away from its traditional form.

The Musicians

The orchestra consists of two carnatic vocalists, a nattuvanur (musician who sets syllables to finger cymbals), a mridangist (south Indian drummer), and a carnatic violinist. Each of the musicians are well-known for their specific talents.

HIHT: The Cause

BHARATANATYAM: A STEP APART is a fundraiser which benefits the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT). The Institute, located in Uttaranchal, India, has a mission to provide integrated and cost-effective health care and development for the Garhwal region of India, and to serve as a model for the country as a whole as well as for underserved populations worldwide. All profits will be donated to HIHT. For more information about the Institute, go to http://www.hihtindia.org

THE PRODUCTION