A classic act indeed

If Bharatanatyam in its truest form is what you want to experience, here is your chance. Bangalore’s very own Poornima Ashok’s performance at this year’s edition of the Bengaluru International Arts Festival 2012 (BIAF) hopes to bring alive the basic essence of the traditional dance form.

The danseuse will open her act with an Ardhanareshwara shloka that will be followed by the traditional Varnam and Javali. However she will end her solo act not with Thillana but Thaniyavarthanam.

“This bit will reflect the co-ordination between the dancer and rhythm. There is no song or music. It’s as if the dancer and rhythm are following each other,” she explains and continues to tell us why she believes in presenting Bharatanatyam in its traditional form... “I have always remained committed to keeping the tradition of Bharatanatyam alive. I want to present before people the A-Z of this dance form. These days I feel people just want everything from Alarippu to Thillana in just a splash. But I want to present everything in detail and revive whatever is forgotten. In fact Nrityanjali, the annual dance festival hosted by my dance school last year also looked at giving a deep insight into this dance form.”

Speaking of dance festivals, Poornima says, “I am appreciative of the fact that BIAF brings together several art forms. I feel that’s why it has been able to create a solid equation with Bangaloreans.” Post this festival, the dancer choreographer will be performing as a part of the Dasara celebrations and also at Tirupati and Chennai.” Next, I will be working on the theme for my annual dance festival that is scheduled to take place on January 5 and 6, 2013. This time I am planning to present three dance forms. The basic idea will be to weave the stories of Draupadi, Sita and Satyabhama using Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi.”