Here’s a show that gives you a sneak peek into the three worlds, reintroduces you to six sins and takes you through the circle of life. Nritarutya is back with its fourth edition of Prayog, an Indian contemporary dance theatre production. “Prayog is Nritarutya’s brain child that began 13 years ago and is featured every three years. It is an experiment in the Indian Contemporary Dance proscenium. Prayog, which means an experiment, showcases dance experiments that are usually created over eight to 10 months.
The choreographies are innovative, use mixed media and are collaborative, making them bold and unusual,” says Madhuri, to which Sathya, adds, “Each dance sequence is unique and independent of the other, which makes it much more challenging for dancers, costume and light designers, make-up artists and musicians. Every edition of Prayog (we have had three so far) has had works which have travelled world-wide to various dance festivals and have also been archived in the course of contemporary dance in India.”
Prayog has something for everyone. “It has a range of emotions and indulgences,
choreographers and dance pieces. And that is what makes it unique. It does not deal with one concept or theme but plays with many colours and shades of dance,” say the choreographers.
Unlike the last three editions, Prayog 4 explores concepts from Hindu philosophy and mythology and will feature three choreographies – Matsyaangnaa and Trishanku choreographed by Madhuri Upadhya and Chakra choreographed by Sathya .
The performance is based on Indian philosophies and their relevance to the contemporary times. Matsyaangnaa has chosen mystical mermaids to depict the indulgence of six of the seven sins that prevent a human from attaining moksha. The concept is from the Vedic philosophy of Arishadvarga.
Trishanku, on the other hand is about Trishanku, who was stuck between heaven and hell and got a new world to inhabit albeit upside down due to the sins he committed. The piece seeks to explore three zones through a classical section designed by guru Kiran Subramaniam.
And finally, Chakra is a pure dance piece centred on the belief system of ‘what goes around comes around’. Reason why Sathya has made use of the circle as a shape to interpret his movements.
Staying true to its name, Prayog 4 will see quite a few creative experiments as well. “We are introducing an aerial act for the first time with unique properties and light design. We have also collaborated with musicians like Raghu Dixit and Praveen D Rao and dancer Kiran Subramaniam. Usage of space, interesting movements, rhythm and sounds along with a unique deconstruction of Bharatanatyam is something to look forward to in this edition,” hint Madhuri and Sathya before they sign out.
Prayog 4 will be performed at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Vyalikaval, Malleswaram, 8pm onwards, today, call 23445810
