Kruti Dance Academy’s Annual Recital At Its Dazzling Best
Kavita Chhibber
Photo : Vinod Devlia
It could have competed with the top notch professionally
choreographed shows from Bollywood or a classical dance festival
of India, and come out tops. Indeed the sold out, Annual recital
of Kruti Dance Academy headed by the effervescent Dina Sheth was
music, dance and professionalism at its best.
‘In the 11 years that I have presented our annual recital we
have always started on the dot,’ says Dina and on the dot it
was, as Atlanta Symphony Hall’s beautifully decorated spacious
stage came alive on June 4th 2006 at 2 p.m. For the next 4
hours, the audience was dazzled by some of what was learnt at
the Academy, in a presentation that was sheer elegance, style
and pizzazz.
The children learn far more than they actually end up
performing. “To have 300 kids, put up items that are the right
length and still highlight what they have learnt and make sure
the audience doesn’t get bored is a lot of work. Children
perform one item each, though at time some learn stuff beyond
their course so that they can fit into an item,’ says Dina

The theme for this year was’ Kalakaar-a true artist” and as 300
young artists from all age groups presented a taste of classical
and modern India through dance, flowing parallel with the
display of dazzling footwork, and melody were thoughts presented
verbally by several students who had been trained in the
academy. Each mentioned what being an artist, and Dina aunty as
she is affectionately known by all, had meant to them.
The show was split into four segments.-Bal Kanya Kalakar,
Bollywood Balak, Navyowan Kalakaar and Aaj Ke Kalakar. Shemoni
Sheth, the very talented daughter of Dina and a graduate of the
academy explained what was being shown in the four segments.
The first segment Bal Kanya Kalakaars, demonstrated the young
beginners’ initial grasp of intricate dance movements. Bollywood
Balaak, showcased ways with which the young dancers creatively
applied their acquired skills to modern Bollywood moves. In
Bollywood Balaak, the compositions were based on hit film songs,
like Lucky Lips, Just Chill, Chori Chori, Kiss me Baby, Bindas
ending with the Bollywood finale where all artists sashayed on
and off the stage in a fluid continuation.

Nav Yowan Kalakaars…… showcased the growth of the dancer to a
higher level and those numbers were choreographed in classical
style with beams of fusion lighting up the stage.
Aaj Ke Kalakaar was a representation of the “fully developed
artiste’. The choreography, said Shemoni was built on a
classical foundation but exposed through modern Bollywood
renditions.
The four segments encapsulated the beauty of Bharat natyam, the
ear pleasing vocal renditions of Indian classical music, the
lilt of hip hop Bollywood style, the fragrance of the folk dance
of Punjab, the Bhangra, and the essence of Holi, the festival of
colors that was captured with frolic, melody, colorful props, a
little Krishna with his Radha, a village belle being swept of
her feet as her beau rode across the stage on a bike with her,
and of course the foot tapping qawalli, that is always a sure
hit with the crowd.
It was amazing to see the eye for detail, whether it was the
outfits or the jewelry or the meticulous way the stage was set.
It also spilled into the performance, the dance steps and even
the way each segment ended. The music varied from classical to
fusion to plain Bollywood as kids of all age groups put up a
finely tuned segment each time, with beauty and grace. The
entire performance was a wonderful improvisation of the
classical and the modern while remaining true to the focus of
paying tribute to the young artists through their art.

Several students of the Academy shared their thoughts, on what a
Kalakaar, being a part of Kruti and knowing Dina Sheth has meant
to them.
Dulari Doshi and her mother have transcended two generations of
dancers under Dina. Dulari is nine and will be a fourth grader
in the fall. She said, “For me a true Artist is an artist with a
passion and dedication for their art….. When my mom was a
teenager she used to learn from Dina aunty. Even when my mom was
pregnant with me she danced. That’s where I got my dancing
feet….. our family finally moved to the U.S.A. For a couple of
years I danced at home. My mom found out about Kruti and went to
check it out. There she met Dina Auntie after 20 some years! And
the next thing you know, I am at Kruti learning from my mom’s
teacher.”
Sagar Patel says, “I have been with this academy for six years.
Kruti Dance Academy is a very special part of my life. When I
came to Kruti I was able to learn more about my Indian culture.
Vijay Palvia feels a Kalaakar is one who demonstrates an
excellent ability in mesmerizing the audience and at the same
time brings out the best of those who dance with him or her.

Elysse Mahepal became the 29th graduate of the academy in 2005.
“Through Kruti we have all found what we are passionate about. A
true artist for her was one who could portray him or herself
through the art, and yet make it his/her own.” For many of us
dance has become the art that we can express ourselves through.
Kalakaar is something that Kruti has shown us to be both pure
and beautiful. It is something that the academy brings forth in
every one of its students.”
Mili Shah is the 30th and most recent graduate of the academy.
“Coming all the way from Augusta, GA, I have driven 3 hours to
come to class every week for seven years, but Kruti has been
well worth this sacrifice. I have learned so much on my path to
becoming a true artist from Kruti’s values and lessons.”
Sabrina Nizam who is currently a District Attorney said “Kruti
means creation, and the most important thing I learned during my
time at the Kruti dance Academy was the importance of creating a
unique path for myself. I learned the importance of stepping
outside of the mold. So when it came time to pave a path for my
life, I decided to do something very different, I became a
prosecutor. Today, by the grace of God, I am an Assistant
District Attorney for the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit, one of the
very few Indian ADA’s in the State and to my knowledge the only
female Indian ADA in Georgia. Kruti taught me to find the
courage to excel not only on the dance stage, but also on the
stage of life”.

For Dina Sheth, this year’s program, was an offshoot of her
dream 10th anniversary show,” Flight to fantasy,’ which she held
at the Fox theater. “ I felt this year I would like to focus on
the artists themselves.” Each stage of an artist’s life is a
milestone, says Dina and as the artist develops and evolves he
or she must realize that a true artist is the one who evolves
with grace, generosity and graciousness. The preparations began
3-4 months before the final event, clothes were designed,
jewelry matched, new parents were shown two makeup sessions
lasting four hours each to help them understand that makeup
styles for classical dances and Bollywood segments were
different. Dina also prefers not to dress the kids in revealing
clothes, or leave their hair loose.” I like the elegant and
clean lines both in clothing and hair styles as well as make
up.”
Sissy
Simmons, who is not Indian or married to one, teaches the major
segments of contemporary dances.” I saw Sissy perform and really
liked her dance style as well as her ethics and moral values.
She spent 6-8 months understanding from me what Indian culture
is all about, what kind of values and philosophy it carries with
it. I got her to see a lot of videos, before she taught her
first class.” Dina used to invite dancers who performed with
bollywood stars at shows for summer projects to teach at her
academy, until Sissy took over,’ She has done a great job of
teaching the kids and is as dedicated as I’m and as detail
oriented.”
Indeed the hip hop performances by the kids in the Bollywood
segment were greatly appreciated by the full house. The grand
finale a classical performance to fusion music had every one
tapping their feet, and the qawalli segment had every one
clapping and cheering.
The show ended with beautiful diamond crystal trophies,
individually handcrafted certificates with fresh flowers pressed
into them being announced for the artists and three students of
the year awards handed out to students who truly embodied the
spirit of leadership, modesty, flexibility, volunteerism,
discipline and responsibility, along with a positive and
courteous attitude. Shaina and Shreya Patel and Pooja Sampat
were the deserving winners this year.

You’d think after all the hard work Dina Sheth would be on a
cruise. No such thing..the hard working lady who celebrates her
25th wedding anniversary this year was back at the studio
looking at the arangetram schedules of her graduating students
in July and August. Then it will be business as usual as her
ever growing number of students return to continue to learn to
keep Indian culture vibrant and alive.

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