AVATARANA - The Story of Natya
Solo story-theatre by Ramaa Bharadvaj
Beyond Frames
Kathak by Vijayshree Chaudhary
Ramaa Bharadvaj is a celebrated dancer, choreographer, storyteller and writer. During her 31-year dance career in the US, she was the recipient of multiple Lester Horton Awards for her choreographies and remains the only performing artiste to receive California Arts Council’s Directors Award for her exemplary contributions to the arts in the US state. She has served as a dance-panelist and advisor for state and national arts agencies in the US and was a visiting professor of dance at several universities. Bharadvaj returned to India in 2010, co-founded the Naada Bindu Festival in Pune and was its dance curator for 10 years. She currently lives in Bengaluru. She has created her signature story-theatre style, through which she shares cultural insights and Indic wisdom with humour and evocative storytelling.
AVATARANA - The Story of Natya is a solo story-theatre performance in English (and Sanskrit), presented in Bharadvaj’s signature style that fuses storytelling with dance, expressive theatre, original musical soundscapes, humour and cultural insights. A complex story from the Natyashastra gets a colourfully entertaining makeover through her witty and vividly dramatic retelling. She melds mythic, mystic and allegorical observations with practical wisdom to reanimate and recontextualise a primeval tale for urban audiences.
Vijayshree Chaudhary is a senior Kathak dancer, choreographer and trainer and the Artistic Director of the Natyaved Society for Performing Arts. She is a senior disciple of Birju Maharaj and an alumna of the Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. She has been invited to represent Indian classical dance at various prominent world events and international festivals. She has also been the chief choreographer for Miss Universe, Miss India World, Miss India International and Miss India Tourism for their talent rounds. She has also choreographed the famous songs ‘Sakal Ban’ and ‘Azadi’ from filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s web series Heeramandi.
Cinema has always brought the beauty of classical dance closer to us. ‘Beyond Frames’ brings together some of the most loved songs from Indian cinema. Through Kathak, these iconic melodies come alive again with graceful movements, footwork, and expressions. From mehfils to devotion, Sufi to ghazals, every piece is a vibrant celebration of Kathak.
An NCPA Presentation
Age Limit: 6+
Late entry will not be permitted.
Event Venue
Experimental Theatre: NCPA., Experimental Theatre: NCPA., Mumbai, MH, India
INR 200
