About The Event
Aham Pravahini
Bharatanatyam by Shobanaa Bhalchandra
Urjataranga
Kathak by Amruta Paranjape
Shobanaa Bhalchandra is one of the early disciples of the famous dance duo Dhananjayans (Shanta & V. P. Dhananjayan) and was trained in the popular Kalakshetra style. She went on to complement this with an extensive study of abhinaya under Kalanidhi Narayanan. In her quest for all-round excellence, Bhalchandra underwent professional training in classical music as well as nattuvangam. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and is the former Creative/Executive Director at Bharatakalanajali, Chennai. She has founded the Tharanginee School of Bharatanatyam in Chennai, is an empanelled artiste of ICCR and a grade ‘A’ artiste of Doordarshan. Bhalchandra has performed at multiple sabhas and prestigious music and dance festivals across the globe, and has numerous dance productions to her credit.
The original thematic production titled Aham Pravahini takes inspiration from Khalil Gibran’s poem ‘Fear’ that beautifully captures the apprehension and uncertainty a river faces as she readies to become one with the ocean. From here, the production goes back in time to retrace the journey the river undertook before she got here. Was her path arduous or peaceful? Was her journey transient or enriching? How did each of her experiences shape her? And what stories and secrets does she hold deep within her heart? Told as a first-person narrative through the eyes of the river, this unique production draws the viewer into the heart of the river and takes them on a journey through the lap of nature. The production, while sticking to the basic grammar of Bharatanatyam, will include segments that draw inspiration from folk dance and contemporary movements. The music will also reflect a similar variety in genre, composition and feel. Music for the production has been composed by Embar Kannan.
Amruta Paranjape is a Kathak dancer and choreographer based in Pune. She has received extensive training in the dance form from Shambhavi Dandekar and in laya-taal from Suresh Talwalkar. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kathak from Lalit Kala Kendra, and a ‘Nrityaalankar’ from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. She is a recipient of several awards including Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Award (2006), Pta. Rohini Bhate Puraskar (2013), Golden Talent Award (at the hands of Birju Maharaj) apart from the Sawai Gandharva Scholarship (2007-2010). She is an empanelled artiste of the ICCR, a grade ‘B’ artiste of Doordarshan, Kathak Guru on the panel of Lalit Kala Kendra (Centre for Performing Arts, Pune University) and Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed University (Pune). Paranjape is the founder and artistic director of Abhivyakti School of Kathak, Pune.
Urjataranga is a performance that brings to the fore the pulsating synergy of traditional compositions, rooted in tala and bhava, and innovation in Kathak. Weaving together rhythmic movement, expressive depth and the dynamic interplay of laya, the evening celebrates the very essence of Kathak—where precision meets spontaneity, and technique blossoms into rasa. The performance features legacy works from the traditional Kathak repertoire as well as original choreographies by Paranjape, which alongside intricate tala prastar also draw inspiration from allied Indian classical forms such as Bharatanatyam—engaging with concepts like Ninda Stuti while circling back to the vibrant traditional spirit of hori and chaturang.
The evening culminates in an intense composition by Talwalkar, embodying the expansive rhythmic energy that lies at the heart of Urjataranga.
An NCPA Presentation
Age Limit: 6+
Late entry will not be permitted.
