Wednesday 20th September, 6:30pm
The Nehru Centre, London
Free Admission
The Natyasastra, treatise on Indian dance and theatre, describes two distinct forms of dance – Tandava, the masculine dance of Shiva and Lasya the feminine dance of the goddess. Mohanapriyan explores the various aspects of Shiva’s Tandava through this Bharatanatyam dance performance, drawing inspiration of ancient Indian texts in Sanskrit and contemporary Tamil poetry. Tandava is choreographed by Mohanapriyan to both commissioned music score and to evergreen well known compositions.
“From the forest of his matted lock, water flows and wets his neck,
On which hangs the divine of snake like a garland, And his drum incessantly plays damat, damat, damat, damat, Thus Shiva is engaged in the very vigorous Tandava dance, To bless and shower prosperity on the entire universe.”
– Shiva Tandava Stotram by Ravana
Mohanapriyan Thavarajah is recognised as one of the world’s young male dance artiste of Bharatanatyam – the classical dance form of South India. While deeply rooted in tradition his innovative approach to Bharatanatyam revitalizes physicality, musicality and expressive-theatricality of the dance form to create an exceptional style that is distinct to his personality, which has been well received as “refreshing” by audiences across the world. His choreography has been recognised to be vibrant with rhythmic athleticism and sensitively nuanced expressive elements of storytelling, both which are compelling. Mohanapriyan is the resident choreographer and principal dancer with Apsaras Arts Dance Company, Singapore since 2013.
“Mohanapriyan is engaging to watch. He can move fast and his footwork is dazzling. His playfulness in storytelling overcomes any kitsch overtones and when he slips into the role of Krishna playing the flute, he is as persuasive a pied piper as you could wish for.” – Jill Sykes, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
Mohanapriyan Thavarajah, Bharatanatyam
In association with Milapfest
https://www.youtube.com/embed/tj8Ba57zekc