Chandigarh, April 27, 2012: The Third day of the Chandigarh Arts & Heritage Festival saw an enthralling Kathak performance by Aditi Mangaldas a renowned Kathak danseuse and choreographer. Keeping in view the enthusiasm and exemplary performances by dancing diva, Today evening, the kathak dance performances had presence of Sh.K.K.Sharma Adviser to the Administrator, Sh.M.P.Singh Principal Secretary to Governor Punjab, Home Secretary UT Sh.Anil Kumar ,Finance Secretary UT Sh. V.K.Singh. Also present were, Secretary Tourism & Cultural Affairs Sh.D.K.Tiwari, and other senior officers of Chandigarh Administration and People across the tricity
A powerful and beautiful recital on the theme Uncharted Seas by Aditi Mangaldas and accompanists female and male dancers took the heart of audience with enchanting classical Kathak dance forms. Dancers weaved in and out of the shadows with grace, poise and a stunning sense of rhythm. The search for the intangible -God, truth, beauty, love and freedom, was the essence of Uncharted Seas. Dressed in traditional costumes, the sounds of the ghunghroo (ankle bells) melded with the live music, creating a distinct percussive beat that added a unique flavour to every performance. While dancing she used the techniques and pure grammar of Kathak with divas. The vibrant foot work (tatkar) and thrilling whirling, the most popular movements of Kathak, was neatly presented and lauded.
As a part of Chandgarh Arts and Heritage Festival, Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi held A Slide Lecture “Landscape after Battle – Nature in Transit By” Johny ML art critic, curator and writer in the evening at Government Museum today. Johny ML is the Managing Editor of Art and Deal Magazine, New Delhi. He is a visiting professor in the National Institute of Design and CEPT University. Born in 1969, in Vakkom, Kerala, ML has three post-graduate degrees – in Creative Curating (University of London), Art History and Criticism (M. S. University, Baroda) and English Language and Literature (University of Kerala). He has also done extensive research on art education in small town art colleges in India. Johny ML invests his creative energies in directing documentaries on art, translating international literature into Malayalam.
The Kaleidoscopic cultural fiesta spread over these last days has been showcasing the finest classical traditions in various form of Art. The Chandigarh Administration has put forth the best in the field of classical music (vocal and instrument), dance, theatre, painting and literary works on one single platform during this cultural capsule of four days.
On the concluding day of the festival this Saturday 28th April, there will be Face to Face interaction (11 am – 2 pm) with Gopal Das Neeraj, Eminent Hindi Poet/lyricist in the Conference Hall at UT Guest House. The musical evening at 7 pm will have a beautiful dramatized story telling “Dastangoi” by Mahmood Farooqui and Danish Husain will put forth Dastan-e-Taqseem-e-hind, Dastan-e-aazar jadu at Tagore Theatre.
Aditi Mangaldas, the artistic director and principal dancer of Drishtikon Dance Foundation, Delhi, is a renowned Kathak danseuse and choreographer, who works with the traditional repertoire of Kathak, infusing it with a modern sensibility. A science graduate from St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad and a former student of both Kumudini Lakhia and Birju Maharaj, Aditi’s interest in the art from extends beyond craft and technique to an imaginative exploration of the spaces around her, the colors, the moodsthe rhythms of natures, and the sheer energy of the Life Force that sustains creation. With her powerful feminine presence she flits across the stage with a grace and ease that can hold a captive audience.
She has given kathak performances in major dance festivals in India and has been featured in the Festivals of India in the UK, the US, and the Soviet unions. In 2005, the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company with a troupe of six dancers and three musicians made its US debut at the Asia Society, with Footprints on Water. Besides directing solo items, Aditi Mangaldas has also choreographed a number of group ensembles that have been an arresting ble4nd of traditional and contemporary styles. Over the past years she has produced several choreographic works including Cheekh, Swagat, Vistar, The Sound of the Universe, Vrindakriti to name a few. She has also conducted several workshops and presented papers at dance seminars.