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“Tapasya”
Pray for a Soul
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By Mahadev Desai
Photo Credit: Bytegraph Creations |
The Atlanta Chapter of Ekal Vidya Foundation (EVF) and The
Narasimha Academy of Arts presented a spell binding new age
dance presentation titled “Tapasya”-Pray for a Soul; at the Pace
Academy Fine Arts Center in Buckhead, Atlanta on the evening of
September 12th, 2009. EVF is a non-profit Charitable Trust that
runs a unique peoples movement which initiates, supports and
runs non-formal one-teacher schools all over the country. These
schools provide five years of free basic education, healthcare,
vocational training and social and community empowerment.
The riveting thematic show, with a distinct new age flair to the
age old Bharatnatyam style was conceived, imaginatively
choreographed and artistically presented by multi-talented and
accomplished Preeti Vinayak Shah of Atlanta, who helms the
highly popular ‘The Narasimha Academy of Arts,” with her well
groomed senior students. In the mesmerizing show, Preeti
experimented with Bharathanatyam but stayed close to the
boundaries of the art form in the fast paced two hour thematic
dance production which also featured uplifting traditional Hindu
shlokas set to contemporary genre of music that was an
amalgamation of Carnatic, Hindustani and Western musical
elements.
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Tapasya cast |
After Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, (EVF) Southeast Region’s s long
serving and dedicated President, Manhar Valand welcomed all,
EVF’s Committee Member Malla Reddy and Sapna Patel paid a homage
with floral tribute to India’s world-renowned, iconic spiritual
and cultural ambassador Swami Vivekananda, whose rousing
challenge,” If the poor boy cannot come to education, education
must go to him” has been the driving motivating force for EVF
ever since.
Archith Seshadri, singer and journalist, and EVF’s Youth
Coordinator, Vandana Aggarwal, did an outstanding job narrating
each episode and also exhorting the audience to help support the
EVF.
As Preeti commented, “I wanted the audience to be entertained
while following the thematic production. I did not want the show
to become a cerebral one, so instead of emcees reading sheets of
explanatory notes, I had Archith and Vandana narrating the theme
of “Tapasya” while I tried to convey a story about a man and
woman, and for the need
of harmony of emotions for stability of
mankind, through an avant-garde medium of dance.”
Shiva is known as the Lord of Tandavam (vigorous form) and
Shakti as one who has command over Lasyam (graceful rhythmic
form). As a result of clash as to superiority between Shiva and
Shakti there was turmoil in the world. With prayer, penance and
austerities, they finally reconcile and peace and tranquility
are restored.Preeti and her students enthralled the audience as
they unfolded the story through more than a dozen episodes.
Their energetic and gripping journey, through the minds of the
two powers, began with AUM and concluded with AUM for one
Tapasya, one Prayer, and One Soul.
Scintillating dances by versatile Preeti and her Academy’s
students attired in gorgeous costumes, embellished with
sparkling jewelry, hair and facial adornments, and ghoonghroo-
clad feet,
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Preeti Shah
Photo by Yogesh Shah |
followed in quick succession as the story unfolded.
The esoteric dance –Lasyanga by Preeti was enchanting with an
exquisite blend of precise and graceful moves,
Preeti’s signature piece, Pandattam, showed how the dancer
played with a ball with her friends. Preeti’s intricate footwork
and facial expressions conveyed a gamut of emotions.
The famous Bhaje Sargam by Louis Banks, composed to promote
unity in India, was an unexpected and inspirational treat! The
eight major dance styles were showcased to show that no matter
how different the movements, rhythm binds us all together. The
Narasimha Academy of Arts extrapolated this to the unified cause
of supporting EVF by showing children sitting on the floor and
learning the alphabet in a rural setting. The dance which ended
with an uplifting, patriotic display of the Indian Tricolor
received a huge applause.
In the Yudh piece showing the fight between Shiva (Supriya
Shridharan) and Shakti (Preeti), the entire verbal incantations
(bols) were composed and recited by Preeti Shah. The audience
could not help but feel the anger and rage of Shakti and the
tranquility of Shiva.
Preeti Shah, who performed in almost all the dances, gave ample
proof of her wide ranging repertoire and virtuosity in all
aspects of dancing and choreography. Art critic Kati Schardl
described Preeti aptly when she said, “Preeti is poetry in
motion and is guided by the Gods in her performance.”
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Tricolor on stage for Bhaje Sargam
showing unity through rhythm. |
Gifted and talented choreographer, dancer and singer, Preeti has
founded The Narasimha Academy of Arts in Atlanta. For more
information, please visit www.natyam.com
All the ‘Tapasya’ Cast comprising of Supriya Shridharan;Aditi
Acharya;Meena Balasubramaniam;Jayashree Bandi;Nisha
Bhat;Nivedita Krishnakumar;Meghna Mahadevan;Tanmayi Pai;Mayuri
Patel;Shruti
Ramachandran;Lavanya Ramakrishnan;Kritika
Subramanian and supporting cast Aishwarya Duggirala;Shreya
Desai;Shreya Nainwal;Divya Natarajan;Prisha Rajasekaran;and
Nethravalli Shah showcased their dancing prowess on stage.
Preeti Shah and the entire cast received a thunderous standing
ovation.
One of the Academy’s students,Jessica Garro, did an excellent
job as back stage manager, while Lakshmi Shridhran enhanced the
enjoyment of the dances with props like Shiva Lingam, pooja
items, Vajra(lightening rod),blackboard etc.
Prashant Kollipara,ByteGraph Creations, gave photography
services.Preeti‘s husband Yogesh deserves a pat on the back for
lighting and sound direction.
EVF’s Cultural Coordinator Rachna Gupta gave an update on EVF
and exhorted all to sponsor a school.
“All those who were fortunate and privileged enough to receive
education in India need to give back to the community. A meager
dollar-a –day donation amounting to $365 a year will help start
a school, so please help we reach our goal,” she appealed.
Atlanta’s well known and respected community and social activist
and philanthropist and President of Atlanta Chapter of EVF, Shiv
Aggarwal, expressed a vote of thanks. Raffle winners were
presented with their prizes which were kindly donated by
Rajkamal Foundation. He concluded by thanking Preeti Shah and
all the participants from her Academy, for presenting a
wonderful entertaining show which helped sponsorship of 20
schools as well as funds.
Preeti will be recognized as an outstanding volunteer of Ekal at
the National Ekal Convention later in September 2009.
Shiv Aggarwal invited all the EVF Officials on stage and thanked
all the sponsors, Mumbai Masala for delicious cuisine, all the
volunteers and members of the audience for making it a memorable
evening
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