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 Gati Gadand: Fine spectacle of rhythmic excellence - Vijay Shanker e-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com March 8, 2025 Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai city has become the cultural hotspot with lot of breathtaking performances by artistes from around the globe, pertaining to music, dance and drama. Hence every artiste aspires to perform in this prestigious venue which has three exquisite auditoriums with varied audience capacities, according to response of the audience appeal. One such performance was held at the Studio theatre on 26th January when veteran Kathak dancer Guru Uma Dogra and her troupe of commendable dancers created a magical spell on the audience with their scintillating performance, ending with a standing ovation. 
The performance commenced with a mystical composition by Rishi Vashist, Ananda Shiva with the chants of "Om Namah Shivaya" that made a great start of spiritual exuberance with Uma Dogra in the centre along with six female dancers and one male dancer, dancing in praise of the Lord, with simultaneous rhythmic movements. The senior disciples were Sarita Kalele, Vinita Venugopal, Diksha Rawat, Suhani Singh, Kartika Unnikrishnan and guest performer Avinav Mukherjee. The dancers performed Ashta Mangal taal with 11 beats with rhythmic accuracy, followed with the dance of colours and joy, Hori number sung by veteran singer Ashit Desai, "Na maro Shyam pichkari, Mohe beegi chuneriya" (Do not smear colours on me, my dress would get wet). Radha's pretentious anger with Krishna as he smears colours on her, makes her feel embarrassed as everybody is watching. This interesting dance of joy and thrill was performed by Diksha, Vinita, Kartika and Avinav as Krishna, with effortless ease, fun and joy. Ashta Mangal was also performed by Arpana Rao, Sarita Kalele and Kartika Unnikrishnan with professional ease and dexterity.  Uma Dogra In Jayadeva's ashtapadi "Sakhi hey keshi madana mudaram", Radha confesses her intimacy with Krishna to her Sakhi, that is unabashed and amorous. It was interpreted with subtle eye gestures and movements with complete involvement by Uma Dogra, with music by Vinayak Nekhi. The grand finale was Varsha Ritu, that signified the announcement of the monsoon with little droplets, culminating in heavy downpour, executed well with the sizzling and throbbing sound of the dancing bells, performed by all the dancers, creating a great impact on the discerning audience.  Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor. |
