DANCING THE ‘SHAPATHS’ OF MYTHOLOGY

Beauty of a dance festival is its theme and the best part is to witness the theme taking shape on stage through dance. Kalashri Dr Lata Surendra known for curating festivals with unique themes once again came up with the theme of Shapath – An Ode unto Vows, Oaths, Resolutions in Mythology. This show had young and experienced dancers all come together on the same floor celebrating shapath like never before, some talking about the importance of shapath, others talking of its side effects and some showcasing the result of it. I spoke with Dr Surendra on this unique show, excerpts from the interview:

What made you think of Shapath as theme for you featival?
I believe creativity is reaching out with what is often thought but never so well expressed. It is about seeing the same world but thinking different because it is not what happens to us but how we react to it that separates us from each other. In that separation is the birth of a new inspiration which when transformed to a poem, draped in lyrics, brought to life through gestures becomes a dance unique as ever and timeless in its message. This was my thought behind creating Shapath.

Which various Shapaths from mythology were showcased at the event?
We had an interesting mix of artist who brought alive my theme of Shapath, Choreography of Dr Uma Rele of Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya was on Bhishma Pratigya (from the Mahabharta). It spoke about why morality remained the substance of truth and truth the essence of all morality? Why Bhishma’s commitment to the throne, Draupadi’s humiliation and Bhima’s loyalty to his brother despite their shortcomings?
We even had Bhagirath Shapath choreographed by Kathak Exponent Guru Shila Mehta talking of the Bhagavati Ganga’s descent on earth. Savitri Shapath the strong woman in every woman, Mai Savitri’ underlined the obvious story put together by Gayatri Bhat and her team.
The famous Panchali Sapatham in Bharatanatyam style choreographed by Jayashree Nair was based on the lyrics by Tamil nationalist poet laureate Subramania Bharati, popularly known as Bharatiyaar. Draupadi Shapath was indeed the most favourite and was also performed by Neha Banerjee in Kathak from her show Sairandhari even Krishnabhadra Namboodiri did her part of the same oath.
Dr Piyush Raj and Dr Sunil Sunkara performed on pulsating lyrical content penned by the great master Padmashri Puru Dadeech speaking of romantic Paravati Shapath proving her love to become one with Shiva eternally that ultimately had Amba and Shiva merging as Sambasadashiva.
Saranya Jaselin performed Arjun Chaturang, a unique chaturang in Arjun Taal (24 Matra) written by Sunil Sunkara and composed by Advaith Roy that brought forth the journey of Arjun up to the moment on the battlefield, where with Bhagwat Gita as witness he took the oath to move forth as the protector of dharma as Gandivdhari Arjuna.

Tell me about non mythical Shapaths that were showcased?
Apart from mythology we had history iconic oaths too. Swarajya choreographed and performed by Shubhada Varadkar was presented Chitra Dalvi, Pushkar (Bharatanatyam) Latasana Devi (Manipuri), Swarajya highlighted the pledge of freedom taken by Bal Shivaji to fight for freedom, to worship, to speak and live without fear, and a pledge not to suffer injustice.
Chanakya Shapatham by Samidha’s Institute of performing arts, the team showcased Chanakya taking his oath after being insulted by King Dhanananda in the royal assembly, his one thought of revenge that had him train Chandragupta Maurya and finally his crushing the Nanda dynasty to establish the glorious Maurya Empire.

There were more than just mythological and historic oaths, isn’t it?
Yes, shapaths were not just from history or from mythology. We had more todays topics too. Urging an oath from all humanity was Taalmani Pandit Brijraj Mishra Kala Foundation, Dr Anupama Harshal visually highlighting the necessity of an oath by every human being to plant a tree because each tree is a sentinel, standing tall and proud with roots entwined with stories.
A dancers shapath to oneself to always dance and entertain was showcased by Lavni dancer Nilesh Auti performing the famous Hichkee and another piece by Odissi dancer Sanatan Chakravarty, Kathak artist Aditya Garud and Bharatnatyam exponent Nilesh Singha. We even had artist Debabrata Pal painting live Dance and the Dancer.
Yakshagana style was performed too by Ankita Naik through the story of Bhasmasura – Mohini. Duo Jayalakshmi Anand and Anand Satchidanand brought interesting dimension through Tirunavukkarasars Thevaram Padigam – Maathar Pirai, where Lord Shiva fulfils both vows – that of the bhakta to see Shiva and Shakti (Kailasa) and his vow to guide his Pasus to realise the Pati.

How do you feel, when a long list of artists performs for your festival?
I feel truly blessed that various Gurus, teachers, scholars and their disciples all happily come forward for all my curated festivals. It is because of their love and constant support that I get the strength to create such platforms. I always tell myself and others that more we dance and showcase our art more we will fall in love with it, to me my festivals are a way for me to fall deeper in love with my own art of dance and I will always keep doing it with folded hands.

Sandip Soparrkar holds a doctorate in world mythology folklore from Pacific University USA, an honorary doctorate in performing arts from the National American University, He is a World Book Record holder,
a well-known Ballroom dancer and a Bollywood choreographer who has been honored with three
National Excellence awards, one National Achievement Award and Dada Saheb Phalke award
by the Government of India. He can be contacted on [email protected]