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 Nritarutya performs “Madhushala” at Amitabh Bachchan’s 70th birthday celebrations October 28, 2012 The talented Bangalore based Indian contemporary dance company Nritarutya performed at veteran film actor Amitabh Bachchan’s 70th birthday celebrations on 10th October at Film City, Mumbai. A team of 80 dancers led by Artistic Director, Mayuri Upadhya, performed to the tunes of the legendary poem “Madhushala” written by Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan and sung by Amitabh Bachchan himself. Nritarutya performed to 10 quatrains from this literary masterpiece, interpreting “Madhushala” as an energy that encompasses every individual. Mayuri Upadhya, Principal Choreographer of Nritarutya, along with associate directors Madhuri Upadhya and Geetha Ballal, blended their unique skills and experiences to bring together this magnificent creation, combining Indian contemporary dance style with Indian classical dance forms like Mohiniattam and Bharatanatyam, South Indian folk dance forms like Kamsaale, Dollu kunitha and Theyyam. Adding to this, breathtaking aerial acts were included in showcasing the poem. Madhushala, renowned work of Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, is still celebrated for its deep Sufi incantations and philosophical undertones. The poem is 135 quatrains long. It has a universal appeal and teaches every individual an important lesson on how to be happy.  Amitabh Bachchan in his official blog writes: “Madhushala was written in 1933, when my Father was 26 years of age, and today as we approach almost 80 years of its existence it has only grown in its importance and popularity. The ballet that was put together as an interpretation of some of the verses which I sang in the same ‘dhun’ that my father created was an aesthetic delight. Choreographed by the very talented Mayuri and her dance troupe Nritarutya on a stage setting, with music arranged by my dear friend Aadesh Shrivastava, during one of our many mad night sessions at his studio, was by far the most stunning moment of the 10th. It was the best tribute that I could ever have paid to the memory of my father. To me, Madhushala has always expressed itself as a celebration of life! Even in the darkest hours of our presence in the world, Madhushala accepting its being, found a joyous aspect to all that pervaded. The ballet had the briefing from me on this and was performed to perfection on it … with me joining in at the end expressing gay abandon with the dancers, despite the oppressive and sad realities of life. It has been a moment with me from the time of its recording that has brought tears into mine eyes, a moment when goose bumps filled me with the memory and the idealism of my father’s philosophy - a philosophy which I hope and pray I can live and maintain for the rest of my living years!” |
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