Reviews
Dancing Dissent

Four organisations led by dancers Alokparna Guha and Sandeep
Mallick (Kathak), Debjani Chatterjee and Anita Mullick (Bharatanatyam) along
with Shubhashish staged Sanjog at
Gyan Manch (10 August) to express dissent against corruption that
prevails in the field of performing arts. Simultaneously, they also showcased
their own creations based on relevant social issues, especially to present
their dedicated and promising disciples who do not get any platform without
greasing the palm of several agencies associated with dance.
Among these, Rani,
presented by Alokparna’s Pushpak Dance Academy, opened a forgotten chapter of
history created by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, a journey of two years from
July 1943 to August 1945 that changed the lives of hundreds of women of India,
Singapore, Malaysia and Rangoon. Inspired by their leader they helped him raise
the ‘Jhansi ki Rani regiment’ and happily embraced the hardships of
battlefields and martyrdom. Alokparna, a dancer and theatre person, treated
this patriotic theme as an exploration of dance within the periphery of theatre
that left a strong emotional impact.
Sister Forever, presented by Meghdoot
Ballet Troupe under the direction of Debashish, focused on the sublime life and
works of Sister Nivedita that featured his Bharatanatyam guru Anita Mullick in
the lead role. Her portrayal, supported by industrialist cum actor Harsh
Neotia’s narration and music, had a telling effect.
Boond, presented by
Sandeep’s Naadam, gave an important message that clarifies the necessity of
water conservation, the lifeline of any growth on earth. Through dance, it
portrayed vegetation, animal habitations, humans with their daily rituals,
social obligations and the constant evolution of civilisation as everything is
water-dependent. Conversely, led by Debjani, the students of her Prabaha
Kalabhoomi interpreted the concepts of yukti-bhakti-mukti
in a way that transported one to the ethereal world of spiritual salvation. The
event also showcased brilliant young dancers Urjashree Basak (Odissi), Parna
Chakraborty and Kankana Singh (Manipuri-duo).