‘Pashyati dishi dishi rahasi bhavantam — She is on the lookout for him. She can see him in every single place, in each path. She is definitely considering that he’s right here, he’s there. I’ve been via this too when my husband was away for lengthy,” says Switzerland-based Kathak dancer Pali Chandra, elaborating on how an outdated textual content like Gita Govinda stays as relatable as ever even immediately.
Gita Govinda, the twelfth century love poem written by Jayadeva in Sanskrit, has at all times been a topic of curiosity for dancers, musicians, and painters. So 5 years in the past, she and her group arrange this job for themselves. Last month, Pali Chandra launched the recording of her choreography depicting all 12 chapters, their 24 divisions referred to as Prabandas, and 24 Ashtapadis (songs with 8 couplets). The recordings will probably be out there to subscribers for various intervals starting from one to 5 years on Natyasutraonline.
Kathak dancer Pali Chandra.
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For international viewers
Pali says this undertaking was triggered by the necessity to create a work for herself and never for the viewers overseas, whom she has at all times catered to. “ I’ve accomplished works primarily based on Tchaikovsky’s fashionable ‘Swan Lake’ and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. I offered a piece for the Millennium Dome inauguration in London. When I used to be in New York, I used to be doing one thing about their buildings and their structure. When I used to be in Africa, I used to be engaged on Swahili, however there got here a level the place I simply wished to be me. So I used to be on the lookout for that piece of literature that might mirror me.” In Gita Govinda, she found a story of any lady and man in love, not simply Radha and Krishna.
A group of folks was constructed to analysis and perceive the textual content higher. “Invis and Hari, the administrators of the undertaking, began getting in contact with numerous individuals who spoke Sanskrit and understood the language. We began to learn in regards to the tradition, the custom, and the period by which it was written. I felt that although it was written 800 years in the past, it wanted to be projected in immediately’s language. For instance, the similes that Jayadeva has given are nonetheless related, however the tonal high quality has modified,” says Pali, who’s the course director of Kathak at Natyasutraonline.
The verses of Gita Govinda discover the varied feelings, trials, and tribulations skilled by the divine lovers, in the end emphasising the connection between jivatma and paramatma.
A Kathak efficiency by Pali Chandra and group.
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The undertaking group
Around 200 folks labored with Pali on numerous features of the manufacturing — analysis, costume, choreography and music. The work began throughout pandemic. “All of us who had been feeling low at that time limit discovered solace on this piece of work. We had been at totally different studios in numerous elements of the world. My primary assistant choreographer was in Dubai, I used to be in Switzerland, my dancer was in New York, and my musician in Bengaluru. But after we all met, it all fell in place seamlessly. It was like we had rehearsed many time. I’ll always remember that second.”
It’s a solo presentation that includes Pali Chandra. It’s a mix of Kathak, Flamingo, jazz, and up to date ballet. “ Since I wished to share my expertise that I’ve gained over so a few years throughout continents, I made a decision to mix numerous genres for this work. We have additionally used numerous instrument akin to cello, piano, flute and Spanish guitar to create the rating.
Pali educated within the Lucknow gharana from Vikram Singhe, Pt Rammohan Maharaj, and Kapila Raj.
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“My intention is to take classical dance to a international viewers. I’ve additionally shared what made me take up this difficult undertaking. The complete presentation, together with demonstration, and clarification is 55-hour lengthy,” says Pali Chandra.