Battery Dance
presents
A Virtual Performance
of

The 39th Annual Battery Dance Festival

Night Two: INDIA INDEPENDENCE DAY

August 15, 2020

https://batterydance.org/battery-dance-festival/


Get ready to be blown away by these dances! All about brightness, color, silver, bangles, joy, face-painting, foot-painting, religion, and culture, they offer a fabulous sampling of styles from all over the country. The hostess, RAJIKA PURI, introduces each with a bit of history and geography. Her smile is as contagious as the rhythms of tabla.

Highlights include an example of Contemporary Kathak, inspired by a classic Chinese novel. It explores the search for our higher selves and the attempt to overcome states of mind that can hold us back. The world premiere of “Grapple” by SANTOSH NAIR evokes the search through darkness to light. A short duet movement collage from “Samsara” portrays the steps taken in the journey of life, both forward and backward, drawing on Buddhist philosophy.

“Theyyam” chronicles in time-lapse the three-hour process of transforming PRADEESH K. THIRUTHIYA into Bhagavati, the Mother Goddess. Bright orange face and body paint, spangles, and an elaborate scarlet headdress prepare him for the ritualist dance, normally performed in front of a temple. Equally astonishing is the southwest India stately, mesmerizing representation of the second incarnation of Vishnu into the form of a turtle. KAPILA VENU uses the language of facial expression, gestures, and postures to convey the tale. She, too, is elaborately made-up and costumed.

On a dreamy note, ADITI MANGALDAS intercuts her 2006 work “Zero Moment” with her current feelings in “Amorphous—The Zero Moment”. Switching between color and stark black-and-white, she tries to capture the shapelessness of time and the mysteries in the concept of past/present/future. A mirror and harsh shadows make us ask: “Are there three of her?” Perhaps. The old, the now, the future.

The last video is total Bollywood and so much fun. It has become a standard in India at weddings, anniversary parties, and any event where Aunt Martha decides to jump up and shake her booty. Namaste! Good luck getting the tune out of your head.

-Karen D’Onofrio-