Hypnotic Tap

The electro-futuristic sounds created with French composer Maurice Ravel’s famous ballet,B/olero,performed by Japanese music composer Isao Tomito,created a gloomy yet hypnotic score,as two women swayed in rhythmic,clockwork motion. As the performance titled,Black Milk,which was choreographed by prominent Israeli contemporary dancer and choreographer Ohad Naharin,ended,a loud applause greeted the National Dance Company,Wales (NDCW) on Wednesday. After the company made their India debut with a show in Bangalore,their finale Delhi performance at Kamani Auditorium was recieved well by those present.

With prominent choreographers such as Naharin and Stephen Petronio composing pieces for the India performance,NDCW opened to a large and appreciative audience in the city. For Ann Sholem,artistic director of NDCW,the performance was a great way to be a part of an exchange programme between Indian and Welsh dance students. “We have already established a contemporary dance summit in Bangalore and have had some artistic exchanges. I’ve been to India many times as a tourist but this is the first time that we have performed here,” she said.

The evening saw 11 dancers tap their toes to two pieces by Naharin and one by Petronio. “The two performances are important in the sense that the first one,By Singing Lights,will give people an insight into the Welsh traditions and folk songs,like the use of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’ verses,and Naharin’s pieces are strong and clearly connect with the audience,” said Sholem.

Excited after the response,the NDCW will be back in the country next year,not for a performance though. “We enjoyed meeting so many types of people and getting to know its history. Next year,we plan to have a summer school with Delhi-based Danceworx students,” she said.