Selected
Dance Themes
ABHINAYAS OF LOVE
Humanity is created in the likeness of God and is expected to reflect the divine
love of the Creator in all deeds. Unfortunately, human beings in the present
day world have become a slave to social, economic, communal, racial and religious
differences. These differences lead them to be the evil instrument as well
as the real victim of these social injustices, like oppression, poverty,
misery, physical abuse, social discrimination etc. Only when we take genuine
efforts to eradicate these evils of society, we can claim to be the real
upholders of Love for our neighbours and the children of God. This dance
programme invites the audience to a self-examination in the presence of God,
to know where we stand in this claim.
1. BHARATHANATYAM
This dance highlights God as the Father of all human beings, irrespective of
gender, race, creed or colour. though we have created inequality, injustice,
oppression and marginalisation in our society today. He beckons every one
to become partners with him in transforming our society to create a fraternal
and just society.
The dance form selected is Bharathanatyam, the foremost of the traditional
classical dances of India. Its artistic movements express the message clearly.
This dance form emerging from a deep spiritual expression of the soul's desire,
can lead one's emotions and sentiments to a deep experience of God, through
aesthetic feelings.
2. GYPSY DANCE
One may be a person of fame and laurels, exalted and honoured, enjoying health
and wealth. But one's heart may be a desert without the gifts of love, sympathy,
tenderness, understanding and mercy. Yet, there may be a person drowned in
poverty, misery and inability, but has the courage and good-will to shower
mercy and love on the needy, suffering and the deprived. Undoubtedly, the
presence of God is with the one who loves and helps his fellowmen.
This dance presents this retold version of the 'Good Samaritan'. Gypsy dance
is a Folkloric one used especially in Tamilnadu. This dance has a vibrant form
of narration and body movements wherein it depicts deep feelings.
3. KUMMI
This is an informal community-dance of the villagers. Clapping hands in unison
with music, is the characteristic of this group dance. The dance depicts
the parable of the 'Lost Silver Coin'. We are the silver coins in the hands
of God. Even if one of us is estranged from Him, He will not rest until He
finds us. His joy of redeeming the lost soul is great.
4.
HAMSA PANCHAKA THILLANA

Thillana
is a highly technical piece of Classical dance and music. This particular Thillana
is composed with five ragas (melodies) of the same origin called Hamsa which
is a unique attempt. It is a unifying piece of different Classical Dances of
India, which proves the ability of the Dancers.
Here the five Classical Dances of India:
Bharathanatyam (Tamilnadu state),
Mohiniyattam (Kerala
state),
Kuchupudi (Andhra state),
Odyssy (Orissa
state) and
Kathak (North India) are danced for
the chosen five Ragas (melodies) of 'Hamsa' origin.
These five different regional dances have been integrated into one dance, symbolically
impressing that, overcoming social, economic, communal, racial and religious
differences, people should come together in solidarity.

5.
PEACOCK
AND SNAKE DANCE
This is a symbolic dance common in the Indian villages during festivals. Here,
the Peacock the Indian National Bird represents Good, and the Snake stands
for evil. The Peacock symbolizes Truth, Light, Love, Justice and Mercy. The
Snake stands for all that is evil on earth. The fight between Peacock and Snake
brings out the hard realities of life and assures the final victory of Good
over Evil.
6. "I DESIRE MERCY" - DANCE DRAMA
This dance depicts how an urgent human need is neglected and denied under the
pretext of prayers and sacrifices to God, even at the time of emergency resulting
in loss of life. While prayers and offerings are going on in a Temple, a
Church and in a Mosque, a poor lady comes running and begs for immediate
help as her mother is suffering from chest pain. She goes to each religious
group which is busy with prayers and sacrifices to God. They feel that their
religious duties are primary and more important. They are disturbed by her
appeal and try to pacify her and send her away. They even feel that her intervention
is a botheration to them at the time of religious duties. Hence they ask
her to go away.
Since no timely health care was given to the mother, she loses her breath.
At last, the voice of God echoes, " Oh dear ! What is the use of your continuous
prayers and valuable offerings to me when you do not help people when they
are in actual need". Our love for God is meaningless without our love for our
neighbour. Loving the neighbour is not a favour done, but God demands it from
us.
7. THE SCULPTOR AND THE STATUES - DANCE
This dance narrates how a sculptor chiseled lovely statues with all his concentration.
The stunning beauty of his own creation captivated him. In a state of ecstasy,
he prayed to God to infuse life into his statues. The statues got animated
and stirred up to move, dance and sing. But before long, jealousy crept among
them; quarrels arose; infighting intensified. Though the sculptor intervened
and dissuaded, they began fighting against each other which led to their
destruction. They lost their charm and grace and they now looked ugly and
repulsive.
The sculptor is grieved intensely at this ruinous end of his creations due
to their meaningless and frivolous hostilities. In utter dismay he fell to
his knees and implored God to restore to his 'creatures' their pristine beautiful
form. Revival sets in, indicated by the reanimation of the statues. Rhythmic
movements which started slowly and gradually built up a harmonious dance synchronizing
with the music signifying reconciliation and reunion. This dance depicts the
creation, the fall and rise of the human race.
8. WATER - SOURCE OF LIFE : FOLK DANCE
This dance is based on only music without words. Water is a source of life
for the people of India, but they unfortunately suffer from drought in the
various regions. This dance pictures how for lack of rains for many years,
the earth is dry and broken, longing for the rains to come. The sufferings
of the people due to drought and the new hope gained after the heavy shower
of rains, are depicted by the dancers.
The message conveyed through this dance is that people are differentiated and
exploited in an unjust society of economic, spiritual and social inequality.
Their hearts and life are as dry as the dried up earth without the rains. Hence,
they thirst for Love and Justice. As the dry earth gains new life when the
rain falls, the dried up hearts of the people bloom with joy when they receive
Love and Justice. This is symbolically depicted in this dance.
9. EVILS OF CASTE SYSTEM - DANCE DRAMA
The best of God's creations is Humanity. But, at times, human beings go against
the Will of the Creator by championing the cause of humanly-made creed, caste,
community and colour. The Dance Drama pictures one of the worst social injustices
i.e. the caste-system prevalent in India, which causes inequality and untouchability
leading to exploitation of the situation by many. When will we cry halt to
these forces of disintegration and create a BRAVE NEW WORLD? One small step
by each one of us will be a giant leap for humanity.
10. GOD'S SEARCH FOR HUMANITY : DANCE DRAMA
This dance drama presents an imaginary situation. God created humanity as an
embodiment of Love, Justice and Solidarity. But, human beings have deviated
from these ideals, enslaved by communal and religious differences, selfishness,
jealousy, rivalry etc. In this situation, if God comes to see His creation
- humanity, what will be His reaction? This dance reveals it.
11. VARIOUS FOLK, GROUP DANCE
This dance is an interesting combination of six Folk Group Dances. They are:
Themmangu Attam - danced with simple folk movements,
Karagam - danced balancing a brass vessel on the
head;
Kolattam - danced tapping colourful sticks to
rhythm;
Thappu Attam - danced playing percussion musical
instrument;
Kummi - danced with clapping hands in unison;
and
Oylattam - danced swinging colourful hand-kerchiefs.
The dance depicts the various attitudes of the people leading to caste, communal
and religious differences. We should forget these differences and be united
for the glory of God and the Nation.

12.
ASHTA,
THALA VADHYA NIRUTHYAM
This innovative piece of Bharathanatyam is a unique creation of Kālai Kāviri.
Eight dancers dance to the rhythm of Eight different rhythm instruments,
Mirudangam, Dollak, Ghatam, Tabla, Ganjira, Chenda, Dolki and
Thavil.
Ashta Thala Vadhya Niruthyam is a joyous fantasy of pure 'Niruthyam' (Dance).
Intricate foot-work and rhythmic movements blend to give an aesthetic symphony
of speed, stability and time. The exquisite cadence of multifarious patterns
of rhythmic speed and flexuous movements of the neck, shoulder and waist are
contrasted with sculpturesque postures essentially feminine and yields to a
brilliant summary of dance artistes.