Dance to break rules

In its fifth edition, dance recital Dhwani plans to do just that by performing kathak on songs like Saibo, Sacrifice and more

Ever visualised a Kathak performance on Elton John's famous number Sacrifice? Shoma Kaikini, the founder of Nrityanidhi, a Mumbai-based dance institution says thatu00a0 Kathak can be seamlessly blended into any kind of music.u00a0Dhwani will also present pieces on popular songs like In Dino, Kahi Toh Hogi and more.



However, Kaikini refuses to describe Dhwani as fusion. In fact, she confesses that even as a child, she wouldu00a0 choreograph every song in her mind. "When we say fusion, we mean two separate things coming together.

But here it's about various emotions expressed through a different form," says Kaikini, who has been practicing Kathak for over two decades. She adds that six of her students will perform popular songs chosen based on their emotional impact through Kathak,u00a0Bharatnatyam and Odissi.u00a0

But Kaikaini tells us that the traditional Kathak costumes have not been changed and we would see dancers wearing them in pastel shades for the effect. "Some of the songs are performed without ghungroo. It is more to do with body movements that brings out the joy and pain associated with these songs," says Kaikini.
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According to her, such performances break the common notion that Indian classical dance forms are not meant for everybody. Kathak, Kaikini says, is the most flexible dance form that can emote any song. But that, she stresses, does not mean that the style and language of the core forms areu00a0 changed.



In fact, just asu00a0 Bollywood songs have changed in terms of sound, lyrics and presentation, Kathak has also transformed over the years.u00a0

Dhwani, in its fifth edition, plans to capture these changes through a performance that will be Indian in essence. "Sanctitiy of Indian classical dance is far too great to be broken. You only know how to break rules if you know them. This effort aims to simplify classical dance for everybody," signs off Kaikini.

Where Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Racecourse Road
On November 6, 6 pm
Call 42064969
For Rs 300 and 250