A celebration of Indian classical dance this weekend at the Srajam festival

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After two years of restricted reside performances, Srajam – A Garland Of Nritya, a festival of Indian classical dance, will likely be staged this weekend at the Sangeetha Abivirthi Sabha arts venue (No. 32, Jalan Rozario, Brickfields) in Kuala Lumpur.

Organised and offered by Kalpana Dance Theatre in KL and Sangeetha Abhivirithi Sabha, Srajam is supported by the High Commission of India in Malaysia and the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre in KL.

It sees the participation of 4 dance colleges primarily based in the Klang Valley, particularly, Kalpana Dance Theatre, Subranjali Dance Academy, Angika Fine Arts and Vehaara Arts.

Children from the Pure Life Society in KL, the B40 group and the UNHCR may even be taking part in Srajam. These youngsters are taught dance weekly below Kalpana Dance Theatre’s company social duty (CSR) outreach programme.

A rehearsal session and meeting among the dancers as the Kalpana Dance Theatre readies up for a grand return to the stage at 'Srajam – A Garland Of Nritya' festival this weekend. Photo: Kalpana Dance Theatre  A rehearsal session and assembly amongst the dancers as the Kalpana Dance Theatre readies up for a grand return to the stage at ‘Srajam – A Garland Of Nritya’ festival this weekend. Photo: Kalpana Dance Theatre

“Accessibility to the arts and dance is essential as it aids the holistic growth of an individual. Inclusivity too is highly valued here at Kalpana Dance Theatre, where we ensure we provide underprivileged children with the opportunity to learn the art form.

“A student of the arts not only has the opportunity to delve into the intricacies and the rich heritage which is being channelled through the art form learnt, but also other soft skills that will nurture their individual growth like teamwork, time management, discipline, determination and confidence,” says Shangita Namasivayam, founder and inventive director of KDT.

“When the arts offer an array of benefits to any individual learning it, why should we restrict it? Just like formal education, art education must be available for anyone regardless of their background,” she provides.

Shangita, who’s a Kalakshetra Bharatanatyam graduate, has devoted her life to sharing her ardour for dance and provoking younger dancers to pursue the wonderful artwork of Indian classical dance.

About 130 dancers in Srajam are from the dance colleges, whereas 21 dancers are from the CSR initiative. Their ages vary between 4 to 40 years previous.

Kalpana Dance Theatre senior dancers in a recorded performance for the Navratri celebrations in October 2020. Photo: Kalpana Dance TheatreKalpana Dance Theatre senior dancers in a recorded efficiency for the Navratri celebrations in October 2020. Photo: Kalpana Dance Theatre

“We hope that our children from our CSR programme will enjoy this opportunity to perform and bask in their love for dance. Our students from the B40 and UNHCR categories have been part of various performances, but this will be the debut performance for the children from the Pure Life Society. We hope this experience will elevate and enhance their desire to dance and to further learn the art form with greater refinement and passion,” she says.

The performances at Srajam will embrace Bharatanatyam, Odissi and two people dances with a local derivation from frequent people dances in Tamil Nadu, India.

“The aim of Srajam deviates from the conventional need of refinement and perfection with (the) heavy intertwining of the intricacies of the art form. Instead, Srajam aims to be a festival celebrating the small things in life like the joy of dancing, being in presence with fellow art patrons and relishing in the simplicity of joy that the arts advocate.

“It celebrates the opportunity for the audience to watch young dancers blossom in their own little ways on stage. Hence, Srajam is open to all regardless of their knowledge on dance. We hope our audience go home with their hearts full and content after an evening of soaking in these rich cultures,” says Shangita.

“Being able to stage a dance festival now is a blessing, something we took for granted in the past. Srajam has been put together amidst many challenges, as we slowly recover from this pandemic that has imposed many limitations on us and the arts.

“It marks the rejuvenation and restoration of some sense of normalcy. I am very excited for Srajam, and our dancers are super, super excited. Srajam is certainly a breath of fresh air,” she concludes.

The Srajam – A Garland Of Nritya occasion, which begins at 6.30pm on April 16 and 5.30pm on April 17, is free and open to the public.

More information, name: 017-672 5672.



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