Celebrate India's classical dance forms by witnessing this festival in Mumbai

Meera Sreenarayanan depicts a pose of the Ardhanarishvara holding the Damaru in the right hand. Pics courtesy/Meera Sreenarayanan; Samved society for performing arts

Fans of Indian Classical dance are in for a treat, as the Samved Society for Performing Arts brings back the Pandit Durgalal Festival for its 36th edition. It is organised by Kathak exponent, Vidushi Uma Dogra in honour of her guru, the late Pandit Durga Lal, a renowned artiste of the Jaipur Gharana, which emphasises intricate footwork and dynamic spins and compositions.

Pooja Pant performs a Thaat pose, with graceful movement of the limbs and neck, often performed during a Tarana. Pic courtesy/sejas mistry

"The aim of this festival has always been to provide a platform to share Indian cultural heritage through the art of classical dance. A highlight is that we have never repeated the artistes featured, unless hosting the festival in another location," Dogra, founder-director of Samved Society, shares with us.

Late Pandit Durga Lal. File pic

We later catch up with the two Mumbai-based performers in the line-up. Kathak dancer Pooja Pant says, "I practise all three Gharanas: Lucknow, Jaipur, and Banaras. While I will perform with my group, I also have solo pieces. On the performance list are a Dhrupad (a form of Indian Classical music) composition, a traditional Taal (rhythmic beats), and a bhajan. I have also choreographed a new Tarana (a piece featuring fast, graceful movements)."

Vidushi Uma Dogra showcases a pose named ‘Radha'

Bharatanatyam artiste Meera Sreenarayanan will present her solo work, Harini-Radiant with the Ultimate Nectar. She elaborates, "It has a metaphysical concept of a bee witnessing the journey of Goddess Lakshmi, from her origin to reaching her full power." She signs off, "This piece portrays a spectrum of emotions, from longing to the search for an infinite truth, where the bee is a parallel to the individual soul seeking salvation, hence making the bee an esoteric motif."

ON February 20; 7.30 pm
AT Veer Savarkar Auditorium, Shivaji Park, Dadar West.
REGISTER 9819387077 (Gpay)
ENTRY Rs 250 and Rs 400 (donor passes)