Mahamaya, a festival of Indian traditional dance, was recently held at Seva Sadan, Malleswaram.
Curated by Mahamaya School of Performing Arts, the festival showcased the rich dance heritage of India, while also engaging the underprivileged sections of society through dance education.
The evening began with Makkala Yakshagana by students of the Yaksha Kala Academy. Performed by children, it was full of powerful dialogues, elaborate costumes and masks and of course, the vigorous dance movements associated with a yakshagana performance.
Belaku, a dance education project for the underprivileged, was also launched as an audio-visual presentation. As many as 65 children of an orphanage, Anatha Shishu Sevashrama, have started an eight-month training course on various traditional dances of India, which will culminate in a dance showcase later this year.
"We want to provide love and affection to underprivileged children through dance because these kids don't get anyone to stage their performances," informs Prathama Rao, who runs Mahamaya with her husband, Surya. "There will be folk, theatrical, classical and contemporary Indian dances taught. But there will be no Western dances because we want them to get in touch with their roots," she adds.
An hour-long bharatanatyam performance by Satya Narayana Raju was also held. The final dance was a kuchipudi piece by Vyjayanthi Kashi, who focussed on Shiva shakti.
"The pieces are connected to Ardha Nareeshwara, which shows both the masculine and feminine aspects in nature. As the female dancer, there's scope for grace and strength, allowing both the lasya and tandava aspects to surface," explains the dancer.
Curated by Mahamaya School of Performing Arts, the festival showcased the rich dance heritage of India, while also engaging the underprivileged sections of society through dance education.
The evening began with Makkala Yakshagana by students of the Yaksha Kala Academy. Performed by children, it was full of powerful dialogues, elaborate costumes and masks and of course, the vigorous dance movements associated with a yakshagana performance.
Belaku, a dance education project for the underprivileged, was also launched as an audio-visual presentation. As many as 65 children of an orphanage, Anatha Shishu Sevashrama, have started an eight-month training course on various traditional dances of India, which will culminate in a dance showcase later this year.
"We want to provide love and affection to underprivileged children through dance because these kids don't get anyone to stage their performances," informs Prathama Rao, who runs Mahamaya with her husband, Surya. "There will be folk, theatrical, classical and contemporary Indian dances taught. But there will be no Western dances because we want them to get in touch with their roots," she adds.
An hour-long bharatanatyam performance by Satya Narayana Raju was also held. The final dance was a kuchipudi piece by Vyjayanthi Kashi, who focussed on Shiva shakti.
"The pieces are connected to Ardha Nareeshwara, which shows both the masculine and feminine aspects in nature. As the female dancer, there's scope for grace and strength, allowing both the lasya and tandava aspects to surface," explains the dancer.