DVI - Two Paths, One Pulse: A moving reunion through the language of Odissi

- Dr. Parul Purohit Vats
e-mail: preciousparul79@gmail.com
Photos: The Kahaniwalla

August 10, 2025

DVI - Two Paths, One Pulse was more than a performance - it was a stirring confluence of memory, movement, and meaning. Hosted at the India International Centre, New Delhi, the evening unfolded as a profound celebration of Indian classical dance, specifically Odissi. Through the evocative duet of Shimran Zaman and Ann Afreen, the performance offered not just an artistic presentation, but a heartfelt reunion - one that embraced both personal history and collective cultural memory.

From the very first invocation, the performance radiated sincerity and discipline. It opened with Mangalacharan, a traditional homage to the divine, drawing the audience into a space of reverence and artistic immersion. What followed was a seamless transition through the grammar and poetics of Odissi - from pure dance segments rooted in precise rhythm and form, to deeply emotive abhinaya pieces that captured the subtleties of devotion, longing, and spiritual liberation.

One of the undeniable highlights of the evening was the solid and commanding presentation by Shimran Zaman. Her performance in technically demanding pieces like Putna Vadh and other pure dance segments stood out for their impeccable rhythm, grounded presence, and controlled grace. Her mastery over intricate footwork and sculptural body lines reflected years of rigorous training and unwavering dedication to the form. Equally captivating was her mesmerizing abhinaya, which brought a quiet intensity and emotional precision to every narrative piece she presented. Her ability to shift seamlessly between technical brilliance and evocative storytelling made her a true embodiment of the Odissi spirit. What left a lasting impression was Shimran's magnetic stage presence - calm yet powerful, deliberate yet fluid. She commanded the space not through overt display, but through an inner authority that drew the audience in. It was a performance that transcended mere execution, radiating a maturity and artistic conviction that lingered well beyond the final curtain.

Ann Afreen beautifully complemented Shimran's grounded presence with her vibrant energy and expressive nuance. Her refined abhinaya, clarity in movement, and lyrical responsiveness to rhythm brought a refreshing lightness to the stage. Ann's deep understanding of musicality and aesthetic structure lent a unique dynamism to the evening. Together, the duet did not simply share space - they created a cohesive and layered narrative arc that honoured their individuality while celebrating their shared training and artistic journey.

DVI - Two Paths, One Pulse

The performance navigated a well-conceived arc - from invocation to liberation - reflecting a spiritual and thematic completeness. In Sthai, the visual poetry of form and repetition unfolded like a meditative journey, while the Abhinaya Trilogy offered a compelling exploration of emotional texture, devotion, and playful yearning. Here, the dancers displayed a rare emotional synchronicity, where every glance, gesture, and breath echoed a shared rhythm of trust and mutual respect. The choreography showcased a deep understanding of both the nritta (pure dance) and nritya (expressive dance) traditions, maintaining the classical grammar while allowing for a fresh and intimate interpretation.

Perhaps the most moving aspect of DVI was its core narrative - two artistes returning to the stage after years apart, bringing with them not only skill and artistry but life experience, grace, and a renewed sense of purpose. Their reunion was not merely logistical but spiritual - a reconnection with the art form, with each other, and with the lineage that shaped them.

The final piece, Moksha, set to an archival recording of the legendary Guru Deba Prasad Das, transcended performance. It became an offering - meditative, ethereal, and quietly powerful. This culmination, drawing from the root philosophy of Odissi as a path to spiritual freedom, left the audience visibly moved, creating a palpable stillness in the auditorium that lingered long after the final posture dissolved.

Overall, DVI - Two Paths, One Pulse stood out for its conceptual depth, aesthetic integrity, and emotional authenticity. It was a performance that reminded us that dance is more than movement - it is memory, devotion, discipline, and transformation. Through a reunion grounded in tradition yet pulsing with contemporary resonance, the artistes offered us a rare gift: a performance that did not just entertain, but healed, reconnected, and illuminated.

Dr. Parul Purohit Vats is a Kathak dancer, performing arts educator, and academician with a career spanning performance, pedagogy, and authorship. She holds a Ph.D. in Music and ATCL with distinction from Trinity College London. As founding Dean at the World University of Design and former Principal of Sri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, she has curated major cultural events and mentored future scholars. An author, editor, translator, and mentor to Ph.D. scholars in Hindi and English, Dr. Parul continues to fuse tradition with contemporary thought, shaping the future of performing arts through her visionary leadership.