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Dancing Emptiness - Kathak by Gauri Diwakar and Dakshina Nayaka (A hero who has more than one wife) - Kathakali by Sadanam Balakrishnan & Troupe Gauri Diwakar is a well-known Kathak dancer and choreographer based in New Delhi. She was trained by eminent gurus, such as Sumita Chowdhary, Birju Maharaj, Jai Kishan Maharaj and Aditi Mangaldas. Diwakar’s production Hari Ho…Gati Meri (Let my Salvation be in You) was presented at the Darbar Festival at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Sydney Dance Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe, besides many venues in India. Diwakar forms part of the teaching team at the Akram Khan Company’s intensive programme devoted to Kathak. In recognition of her work, she has been awarded a Senior Fellowship by Kalavaahini Trust, Chennai and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. She is an ‘A’ grade artiste with Doordarshan and an empanelled artiste with the ICCR. The word "emptiness" often evokes images of nothingness or despair, suggesting a void devoid of meaning. However, when Buddha speaks of emptiness and Kabir refers to Shunya, they invite us to reconsider this notion—not as hopelessness, but as a profound concept. Emptiness encompasses the principle of impermanence; everything is in a constant state of flux. This reality highlights our interconnectedness, as all things are perpetually changing and relying on one another. The teaching of non-attachment aligns with this idea: if everything is transient, what truly can we hold onto? Can love exist without attachment? Is there a constant beloved amid this ever-shifting landscape? Can we celebrate emptiness? “Dancing Emptiness,” by Gauri Diwakar, delves into the themes of impermanence and the endless interdependence that binds us all. In this exploration, Buddha and Kabir converge to share a narrative of love that transcends attachment and joy that exists without excess. Performing artiste, teacher, choreographer and director, Sadanam Balakrishnan began his study of Kathakali under Kondiveetil Narayanan Nair Asan under the patronage of the late Brahmashree Kurumathur Narayanan Namboodiripad. At Gandhi Seva Sadanam, a Kathakali academy in Kerala, he studied under the renowned gurus, Ramunni Nair and K. Kumaran Nair. After completing an eight-year diploma course at Sadanam, Balakrishnan undertook the two-year post diploma course with a Central Government scholarship and earned first class honours. In his illustrious career, Balakrishnan has been part of various institutions viz. the International Centre for Kathakali, New Delhi, as a senior artiste and teacher; Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, as Senior Visiting Fellow and Head of the Department of Kathakali. He is a ‘top’ graded artiste of Doordarshan, a recipient of the Padma Shri and Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, among others. The story is completely imaginary and has no direct connection with any Epic or Purana. The hero, a King, is very romantic and he enjoys entertaining more than one wife. Love or romance is the predominant mood. Jealousy and quarrel come in between, which helps to create humour. In the scene, the King overwhelmed with an amorous mood enters the beautiful royal garden and embraces the maid-servant, whom he mistakes as queen. The maid wants to take advantage of this and tries to hug him in return. The queen, watching this, quarrels with the King. He confuses her saying that it was by mistake. Afterwards by bribing he makes her happy and embraces her. The second wife who actually got the appointment now arrives and watching all these, became angry and fought with the queen as well as with the King. The clever King somehow manages to make everybody happy, and they enjoy together Age Limit: 6+ Late entry will not be permitted.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Nariman Point, NCPA Marg, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021, India
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