From ‘Hansika’, an adaptation of the traditional ballet ‘Swan Lake’.
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association
‘Glide’ is a phrase usually used within the context of swans. The dance manufacturing ‘Hansika,’ created by Bangalore primarily based Odissi exponent Sharmila Mukerjee, highlighted why. A remake of the timeless dance ballet ‘Swan Lake,’ within the Indian context, ‘Hansika’ was marked by sluggish, swish actions – and the wonder – related to swans.
Initially choreographed by Julius Reisinger, with unforgettable music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (launched approach again in 1877), ‘Swan’ Lake has withstood the check of time, igniting curiosity in dancers, storytellers and performers, over the centuries. Watching ‘Hansika’, it was straightforward to grasp why it’s so. The tragic story of two lovers separated by a curse won’t ever turn out to be outmoded, packed as it’s with a spread of feelings from love and jealousy to anger and vengeance, to not point out the age-old tussle between good and evil. These emotional parts and the talent of the efficiency creators allowed for a clean switch of the Japanese European story to the Indian classical dance context. It’s certainly creditable that the collaborators had made the whole lot within the manufacturing from the music to lighting and costumes mix harmoniously.
From ‘Hansika’, Odissi exponent Sharmila Mukherjee’s choreographic work.
| Photograph Credit score:
Anil Babu
Opening with a spectacular swan dance sequence, the aesthetic motifs and metaphors have been established early within the efficiency. The group of dancers moved as one, their poise and unity conjuring the behaviour of a flock of birds because the night gentle painted the lake and forest in its colors. The contrasting music that adopted within the subsequent scene clearly marked the shift to masculine vitality as two hunters enter the house, on the lookout for recreation. One of many hunters is Prince Siegfried who has been ordered by his mom to decide on himself a bride on the earliest, we’d know, if we’re acquainted with the plot of Swan Lake. Right here, we see the younger Prince separated from his pal, wandering by the lake, trying to find the elusive swans that mesmerised them just some minutes in the past. He meets Odette, who, transforms by evening from swan to lady, dwelling the curse of an enchantress, who, on this model of the Russian folktale, occurs to be her jealous sister. The lovers’ assembly and courtship depicted the innocence of past love as we witness Odette’s sharing how she came across this twin existence. The classical Odissi sequence that adopted showcased the competitors between the sisters (each gifted dancers even within the story) that takes a nasty flip when one sister offers in to an evil streak and curses the opposite.
Within the scenes that adopted, those that stood out for me have been the preparations for the just about marriage and the staging of an act of deceit that seals the lovers’ destiny perpetually. The never-say-die Enchantress, as she gloats over their plight, leaves the viewers with a query on how lengthy even the swans would possibly final because the lakes are drying up on a dying planet. This was the one level within the efficiency that was ambiguous because it didn’t resonate with the character of the Enchantress or come by clearly because the story performed out at that time.
Sharmila graciously acknowledged this after we spoke in regards to the efficiency the subsequent day. The efficiency evolves each time it’s seen, she says, highlighting that it was a “pleasure” to create this work primarily based on a folktale that has held her in thrall since childhood. “It took us a yr. Music was the primary layer of the work,” she says, describing how “fascinating” it was to observe Praveen D. Rao design the music for it. “He usually composed and recorded in fast succession, even whereas working with the musicians,” she says, including that his course of of labor impressed her to choreograph and envision the efficiency effectively earlier than she received the dancers collectively on the ground. It will not be an exaggeration to say that the music within the manufacturing was pitch good and virtually a personality in itself. The usage of the pakhawaj, flute, sitar, violin and vocals – all held the story and the actions in a heat embrace, whereas retaining the twang of the unique classical ballet music created by Tchaikovsky years in the past. This, coupled with the elegant dancing by the artistes of Sanjali Ensemble, made ‘Hansika’ a wealthy expertise of viewing a dance rooted in multiple type.
