BHARATANATYAM RECITAL AT THE FOL

Northwest FolkLife 2004

BHARATANATYAM RECITAL AT THE FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL 2004

DATE & TIME: 29th May, 2004. 2:00pm to 2:30 pm

VENUE : Bagley Wright Theatre, Seattle Center. Seattle.

PROGRAMME DETAILS:

INTRODUCTION

Namaste and welcome to a short Bharatanatyam recital by Dr. Joyce K. Paul.

Joyce received her initial training in Bharatanatyam in New Delhi, India under Padmashree Leela Samson of the Kalakshetra School of Dance. She has also trained under the guidance of Chitra and Manjari Chandrashekhar. Joyce has performed extensively all over India for large audiences. She has also performed a number of times for the Indian National television “Doordashan” that showcases top classical artists. Her Ph.D thesis in Exercise Physiology is titled “Physique and fitness among Bharatanatyam dances with special emphasis on dance related injuries". Joyce is a guru who demands technical expertise and she works hard to provide her students comprehensive Bharatanatyam education.

Joyce currently works for Microsoft Corporation. She would like to dedicate this recital to the Almighty for giving her the strength, passion and grace to perform today despite recent illness and injury.

1. JATISWARAM Ragam - Ragamalika Taalam - MishraChaapu

A Jatiswaram is a pure dance item that plays with rhythm sequences set to a specific tala cycle in this case a 7 beat cycle. This items brings forth the lines and geometry that is are an identifying aspect of Bharatanatyam.

2. ASHTAPADI Ragam - Mishra Kaafi Taalam - Adi

Taken from the second part of Jayadevas Geeta Govindam, this item depicts a vipralabdha nayika or the deceived heroine. Radha completely convinced of Krishna's love for her is wandering in the forest when she spied Krishna or Hari making love to all the other common women. Radha's envy drives her away. But anywhere she tries to retreat, in her thicket of wild vines, sounds of bees buzzing circles overhead depresses her and she tells her friend or Sakhi, her secret...

I, recall him in his love dance, playing seductively, mocking, laughing at me. Sweet notes from his alluring flute echo nectar from his lips. His restless eyes glance, his head sways, earrings play at his cheeks.

A circle of peacock plumes caressed by moonlight crowns his hair. A rainbow colors the fine cloth on his cloud dark beautiful body.

Meeting me under a flowering tree, he calms my fear of dark time. Delighting me deeply by quickly glancing looks at my heart.

I, recall him in his love dance, playing seductively, mocking, laughing at me.

3. TILLANA Ragam - Hindolam Taalam - Khanda Eka

Joyce completes the recital with a nritta or pure dance item. A tillana usually brings a recital to a definitive conclusion with a burst of joyful, exhuberant dance. In this Tillana, the dancer thanks the Almighty for blessing her with the gift of art and casting a compassionate glance that engulfs her in the waves of kala or art.

For more information on other exciting events you can watch at this year's FolkLife Festival, see a detailed schedule here.

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