|     |
|
| |
 Explorations by Anubhava Dance Company - Varsha Vasu e-mail: artsbyvarsha@gmail.com October 29, 2024 Vibhāva-anubhāva-vyabhicāri-saṁyogād rasa niṣpattiḥ, Nāṭye rasātmakaṁ sarvaṁ, na rasaṁ vivarjayet (Natyashastra, Chapter 6) The essence of rasa - emotional flavor - arises from the interplay of determinants, consequences, and transitory states. This maxim from the Natyashastra reveals the intricate dance of emotions in performance. In their latest production, Explorations, the Anubhava Dance Company transforms this concept into a theatrical odyssey, inviting audiences to embark on a captivating journey through the depths of human behavior. By seamlessly intertwining Bharatanatyam's expressive vocabulary with themes of scientific inquiry, mental health, and multicultural literature, Anubhava encourages us to explore the very fabric of our existence as humans. I found myself captivated not only by the thematic depth of the performance, but also by the intricate choreography, and meticulous attention to music composition and arrangement. The show tastefully incorporated modern themes while adhering to a traditional Margam-format, exuding innovation with comforting familiarity. Each act was an investigation into the human condition, collectively posing the question: what does it mean to be human?  Photo: Sravani Royyuru Act I: Joy - A Polyrhythmic Symphony Opening the show with Apoorva Krishna's musical score, "Joy" was a harmonious blend of dance and science. The rhythmic complexity of this act mirrored the synchrony of the brain's neurons firing in unison. It was like watching a fireworks display, each movement feeling like a burst of joy. I appreciated the polyrhythms and syncopation, which lent a dynamic layer to the choreography. Act II: Humor - Playful choreographic wit Following "Joy" was a Chathushra Alarippu composed by MS Sukhi. "Humor" provided a playful respite, inspired by Jerome Robbins' meta-choreographic playfulness. The dancers incorporated moments of deliberately colliding in a domino effect, losing synchronization and playfully exchanging side-eyed glares. This act brought a comedic flair to a traditional Margam item of an Alarippu. I could hear chuckles from the audience members as the dancers exited the stage - a testament to the act's success in evoking Hasyam. Act III: Fear - A multicultural exploration of anxiety In Act III, fear (Bhayanakam) took center stage in the form of a Varnam, with an unforgettable music composition by Dr. Shiv Subramaniam and arrangement by Adithyanaranan Shankar. I found myself humming the Varnam for days! One segment highlighted a clever transition of ragams, from Mayamalagowla to Pantuvarali (a subtle change in one swaram, Madhyamam), showcasing the creativity of the composer in evoking the given rasa. The combination of mridangam, strings, and veena jointly created a haunting atmosphere for the piece. From societal pressure to existential dread, each dancer channeled raw emotions crisply through the Varnam's sancharis. The integration of philosophical teachings, outlining the life of Buddha was accurately portrayed by Sita Vakkalanka, providing the act a philosophical resonance. A particularly eye-catching sequence featured dancer Shriya Srinivas in a nightmare sequence, being puppeteered by the other dancers in a call-response fashion - a visual treat! Act IV: Love - A Rumi inspired journey Set to the poems of Rumi and accompanied by a delicate piano arrangement by Hana Uwai, who graced the show's premiere, "Love" explored the introspective journey of self-love as a foundation for divine love. The choreography relied on subtle abhinaya with a rhythmic pulse through the musical arrangement. Dancer Swathi Jaisankar's solo sequence lent to a particularly noteworthy display of flexibility and grace in this act. Act V: Hope & Resilience - Celebrating ingenuity Closing the show, "Hope & Resilience" celebrated human ingenuity, and was set to an uplifting Thillana-adjacent score by Shivaraj Nataraj, Pranav Swaroop, and Shriya Srinivasan. The innovative use of beatboxing brought a modern twist. The nethi-chuttis, which Joshua custom-made using parts from Bharatanatyam jewelry, displayed a level of detail that did not go unnoticed and added a layer of sophistication to the overall visual experience.  Photo: Sujata Srinivasan Final thoughts In a time when many contemporary Bharatanatyam productions primarily dive deep into slower movements, it was refreshing to witness a dance production that could effortlessly hold an audience's attention. Anubhava did not shy away from incorporating brisk nritta sequences that were clean and beautifully synchronized. This balanced interplay between nritta and abhinaya is a testament to the vision of the founders and the masterful execution of all dancers. All company dancers - Shriya Srinivas, Swathi Jaisankar, Sita Vakkalanka, Shriya Srinivasan, and Joshua George-merit applause for their sadhana to the art form, and the exceptional synchronization that define the Anubhava Dance Company. As the curtain fell, the initial question came back to mind: what does it mean to be human? Anubhava Dance Company not only presented a captivating exploration of this question but also set a high bar for future productions by seamlessly bridging the gap between the artistic and scientific worlds. This is a company to watch, as their distinctive approach continues to expand the horizons of what Indian classical dance can achieve. (Performed on September 21, 2024 at Midtown Arts and Theatre Center Houston, Texas. Presented by Samarpanam, Houston)  Varsha Vasu (IG: @ArtsByVarsha) is a passionate dancer and musician. She composes original music for dancers and productions across the US and India, such as for Sophia Salingaros and Sathvikaa Shankar. Varsha is also a passionate Carnatic violin and vocal disciple. She is an accomplished Western violinist who's performed at Carnegie Hall and was named a top 1% western violinist in Texas in 2018. Combining her passion for the fine arts with philanthropy, she founded @VAHNonprofit a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that feeds hungry families while giving back to performing artistes. |
