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 Krishnamaya- Kasturika Mishrae-mail: kasturika69@gmail.com September 24, 2025 Breathing Arts presented the premiere of Leela, conceptualized and choreographed by Sanjukta Sinha, on September 17, 2025 at Kamani auditorium, Delhi. Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company was founded in 2019 in Ahmedabad. Krishnaleela is a celestial celebration of ecstasy, separation, mindfulness of transcendent energy between lord Srikrishna, his beloved Radha and the bevy of starry eyed Gopis. The Kumudini Lakhia school of Kathak dance after perhaps Birju Maharaj institutionalized performing Kathak dancers in Gujarat amongst whom we find Sanjukta Sinha heading the list of disciples. Thoroughly entrenched in her guru's spirit of emphasis on nimble footwork, Sanjukta has also inherited her theatrical value system.  Krishna and Radha is an obsessive repetitive theme in Kathak gharana irrespective of place and ages. So, one wasn't expecting any fireworks or deviation from this subject. The excellent vocal composition and melodious refrain of flute in raag Yaman set the classical opening of the evening. "Tadpat shyam vina more dina rain" - this opening line of the dance presentation moved rows of diyas on a star laden moonlit night with Radha and the sakhis pining for a glimpse of Krishna. Trees, flowers, moon, and earthly beings swayed in unison in the display of the artistic rapture of all dancers of the repertory. Sanjukta succeeded in leaving the piece at a crescendo of a long rela and tyahis within 16 beats. For the connoisseurs, completely mesmerizing entry was of Sanjukta along with her dancers looking at the "shyam salone nainI" and describing the naughty eyebrows of Shyam. The segment ended with 30 chakkars and a passionate reddish silhouette depicting heights of ecstasy.  The rainy season and devotional lines "Gir gir aayi kaali ghataa, saawan aaye aamad ka, baarish ki bowchaar, jhooja jhoola jhoole rani Radhika, Shyam mayi bhayi Radhika" displayed the ethereal heights of Sanjukta's Radha Krishna bhakti choreography. Sanjukta says, "My imagination for Leela is not purely based on Krishna, it's about longing, unconditional love and finding oneself. It's the destination of finding one's own soul in a deceptive world." In the Krishna raas segment, this very unison of inner soul with the divine was seen. The descriptive details of Krishna body and features looked at by his Gopis in raag Desh enraptured the audience. The tutelage of Kumudini Lakhia and her legacy was in full display by the dancers Krutika Ghanekar, Vidhi Shah, Bhakti Dani Shah, Pankaj Sihag, Hiren Gajjar, Vihanga Ruksana, Santanu Gosavi, Tirtha Jurvatkar, Radhika Chauthaiwale, Riya Patel, and Nandini Jani. The flawless rhythm of the performance was accentuated by Samiullah Khan, flute by Partho Sarkar, sarangi by Amir Khan, tabla and pakhawaj by Ashish Gangani. The dancers of Delhi welcomed the Ahmedabad based dancer with a full house capacity.  Morpankha, feather of the peacock perennially associated with Krishna on his headgear, was displayed by light designer Gyan Dev beautifully in the backdrop of the finale.  @Kasturika Mishra is a poet, writer, and dance critic. |
