Poetry in motion

The language of art may be subtle but the messages conveyed through it are strong enough to drive home a point.

The language of art may be subtle but the messages conveyed through it are strong enough to drive home a point. The language can be spoken through colours, expressions or simple mudras and Kalopasana, a Pune-based conglomeration of accomplished artistes, does it by blending the graceful mudras with abhinaya.

Today, when mankind stands appalled at the audacious spread of terrorism and violence, Kalopasana endeavours to reinstate the importance of peace and non-violence in its own artistic ways. Staging Aparajita, a dance drama by Bharatnatyam artistes of the organisation, Kalopasana tries to bring forth the relative importance of the principles of Lord Buddha in contemporary times. 8220;Aparajita portrays the Indian culture and the Indian way of living. Inspired by Indian history and mythology, it takes instances from the life of Buddha and his principles,8221; says Anuradha Shinde of Kalopasana.

The dance drama reflects a tug-of-war between cruel ambition and the belief in a peaceful existence and ultimately sees the victory of one over the other. While the female protagonist Aparajita condems bloodshed and all sorts of violence, the male lead, prince Ajatsatru, can go to any extent to satiate his cruel ambitions. Interestingly, this one hour 20 minute recital has women playing the lead characters.

Portraying Aparajita in a powerful light, the play stresses on the woman of substance. 8220;Through this dance drama, I wanted to highlight the fact that if a lady is strong from the inside and sticks to her principles, then she can become an example to others,8221; says Shinde.

Talking about the spirit of non-violence that underlines this performance, Shinde says, 8220;In the wake of global terrorism, perhaps it8217;s time to remind the world that India as a country is a messenger of peace. It8217;s where the likes of Mahavir, Buddha and Gandhi 8212; all patrons of non violence, were born. Based on these golden principles, the dance drama speaks about religious tolerance and universal bonhomie.8221;

As Aparajita waits for its chance to treat the art lovers in the city, the abriged version of this dance drama has drawn rave reviews at the Ajanta and Ellora festival in Aurangabad in 2006. There are dance lovers and there are those who have a penchant for drama, but when it comes to a combination of both, the artistic instincts cannot be explored better. 8220;A dance drama is a perfect blend of melodious music and action teaming up with graceful moves and cadence,8221; concludes Shinde.

Aparajita will be staged today at Tilak Smarak Mandir, 5.15pm