NRITYANJALI

Nritya means ‘expressive dance’ and Anjali ‘offering’. We bring before you an offering of selected dance presentations from the wide repertoire of the north Indian classical dance form of Kathak.

Kathak is one of the oldest classical dance forms of India and has flourished along the Indo-Gangetic valley for two thousand years. The word Kathak literally means “the art of story telling”. Though these stories are from our ancient legends, the sentiments and ideas they portray are universal and relevant even today. The dramatic portrayals are interspersed with abstract dance set to intricate melodic and rhythmic patterns.

Amita Dutt – exponent, professor, choreographer, director, scholar, critic and columnist - is among the bright luminaries in the field of contemporary Indian classical dance. She has constantly popularized Kathak through her recitals, innovative choreographic creations, talks, interviews, articles and workshops both in and outside India and is the Uday Shankar Professor of Dance, and the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata.

PRESENTATIONS

Bande Mataram: In keeping with the tradition of Indian Classical dance, Nrityanjali begins with a hymn. The prayer is composed by the great son of Bengal Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and is dedicated to the deity that inspired all Indians to fight for and achieve independence. Bande Mataram follows the melody composed by Rabindra Nath Tagore.

Dola Lagilo Dakhinar Boney Boney: A celebration of the spirit of youth and vitality is portrayed through abstract and expressive dance set to the lyric Dola Lagilo Dakhinar Boney Boney by Kaji Nazrul Islam.

Sita Haran: The episode from the Ramayana – Sita Haran (abduction of Sita) – is portrayed through the narrative technique of Kathak known as Gat bhava. Five characters are portrayed: Ram, the hero of the Ramayana, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, the antagonist Ravan and the golden deer. Movements and expression ‘tell’ the story.

Jhanak Jhanak Payel Baaje: Bengal has been the home of Kathak since the time Wajid Ali Shah came with his retinue of dancers and musicians to the city. And Gopi Krishna the hero of the film Jhanak Jhanak Payel Baaje is still bright in the memories of all of us. The piece is a tribute to the dance style and the exponent through a new choreography on the song Jhanak Jhanak Payel Baaje.

Kirtan: The pangs of separation as experienced by Radha are portrayed through the lyric of Vidyapati Bhara baadara maaha Bhaadara. It is a dark, ominous, monsoon setting where the heroine is pining for Krishna. But nature seems to be oblivious of sorrow. Birds sing and the peacock dances in glee.

Thumri: In contrast to the earlier portrayal of the pangs of separation, here we have the joy of all the women preparing to meet Krishna. Sab bana thana aayi Shyam pyari re: they have all adorned themselves and have come to meet Krishna.

Bhavani Dayani: This Bhairavi bhajan is used as the anchor for the portrayal of Durga’s vanquishing of Mahishasura and also of her various manifestations. It is a piece that is replete with expressive and powerful dramatic dance featuring Mahishasura Mardini.

Dol theke Durgotsav goes the popular saying that refers to the major festivals and joyous events of Bengal. We close our performance with an item on Dol (Holi) anchored on the Nazrul song Brojo Gopi Khele Holi and on Durga based on the Durga Japa Mantra Namaste Sharanye.

Sitar Recital by

Prof. Uma Prasad Ganguly

Prof. Uma Prasad Ganguly

Stared learning Sitar at the age of 15 under the guidance of Sri Nirmal Chakravorty (youngest son of Sangeet Shastri Suresh Chakravorty). After 22 years of training, Swithedon to the legendary Sarod Player, Pandit Kamal Mallick (disciple of Pandit Shyan Ganguly and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan) since 1980.

Prof. Ganguly has got the degree of 'Sangeet Prabhakar' and gave about 100 functions recital held in various parts of Midnapur (Kharagpur, Jhargram, Kanthi, Belda and 24 Paraganas (north and South). During his service life as IIT, Kharagpur (1967-1998), he was closely connected with the SPICMACAY local chapter-----acting as his President----and DARBARI Sangeet Sangsad as its Secretary.

Besides the recipient of the Certificate of Music in Sitar from IIT, Kharagpurin 1967, he holds to his credit a number of prizes and certificates, obtained from various competitions, Tansen Music Competition, Prof. Ganguly's recital is always characterised by the melody, layhary and the extraordinary speed and clarity of the finishing portion (jhala).

Malab Dasgupta (Tabla)

Malab Dasgupta received his first 'Talim' from Sri Basudeb Das of Farukabad Gharana at his earlier ages. In the the year of 1982 he was fortunate enough to become a student of Pandit Gyan Prakash Ghosh for a short peropd and lastly he become a disciple of Pandit Shankar Ghosh in the year of 1984.

He is an Artist of ALL INDIA RADIO (AIR), Kolkata of B High Grade. In the year of 2000 he toured in Itally, Germany, England,Norway,Sweden and Denmark as a Musician (Tabla-Player ). In the year of 2001 and 2003 he also toured in Bangaladesh. He also performed in several Classical Music functions and conferences, named 'Baba Allauddine Sangeet Samaroho'', "Annual Conference of Bango Sangeet Parishad' etc.

Harmony

ETMS- Eastern Technology Music Society is the section of performers in IIT Kharagpur which caters to indigenous music, composed in India itself. They play a wide variety of music ranging from Hindi film songs to semi-classical compositions and Indian bands as well.

WTMS-Western Technology Music Society, the western counterpart of the Music Society in IIT Kharagpur caters to tastes beyond Indian music, with special attention on genres like Rock and Metal. Representing the more wild side of our musicians, WTMS covers a vast array of bands within these genres.

(Song name-Album-Artist)

1. Coming Back to Life- Division Bell- Pink Floyd
2. Main agar Kahoon- Om Shanti Om- Sonu Nigam & Shreya Ghoshal
3. You and I- Pure Instinct- Scorpions
4. Aji Rooth Kar – Aarzoo – Lata Mangeshkar
5. Too Much Love will Kill You- Made in Heaven- Queen
6. Maa Rewa- Kandisa- Indian Ocean
7. Vienna- 13 going on 30 - Billy Joel
8. Jaane jaan- Jawani Deewani -Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhonsle
9. Highway Star- Highway Star- Deep Purple
10. Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar – Brahmachari – Md. Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur
11. Hey Jude – Hey Jude – Beatles

Sit back and relax as the best talent in our student community fulfills the promise of a thoroughly enjoyable evening with a unique blend of Eastern and Western Music.