VANCOUVER – For the fifth edition of “Gait to the Spirit 2014” festival, Mandala Arts and Culture are presenting a showcase the Indian classical dance style bharata natyam featuring some of today’s best international exponents. The event will take place from October 31st to November 2 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre in downtown Vancouver.
Since Mandala presented Janaki Rangarajan at the 2010 festival, she has become one of the most sought after bharata natyam artists, and has been performing all over the world. Her refreshing approach to bharata natyam has won her many accolades and praise from dance lovers and critics alike. Janaki is one of those rare dancers who has studied in depth the various karanas (temple sculptures), and has imbibed their sensuality and softness in her very personal and unique style. She is performing again.
Mandala is also presenting India’s new bharata natyam sensation, Meenakshi Srinivasan, a dancer renowned for her grace and elegance. Meenakshi’s dance is marked by fast paced agility and a power to emote subtle shades of poetry. She has brought a notably individual approach and creativity to classical art. Meenakshi has been touring throughout the world for the past few years, and is one of today’s most popular and acclaimed bharata natyam dancers.
Both Janaki and Meenakshi possess high quality technique, great virtuosity, and an appealing stage presence of exquisite beauty and femininity.
For the festival’s popular Sunday matinee (pay what you can), Mandala will present Nivedha Ramalingam from Toronto, and Vancouver’s male bharata natyam dancer Sujit Vaidya. Nivedha is one of the best dancers of her generation in Canada. She has won honours at many dance competitions, and has performed professionally in Canada, USA and India. She is at the pulse of the young new generation of bharata natyam dancers.
Sujit has trained in BC under Jai Govinda and has received the 2012 “Mayor of Vancouver Arts Award” as an emerging dance artist. For the past few years, Sujit has continued to train and perform in India, and has given numerous presentations in Canada and Europe as well.
Performances:
Friday October 31 at 8 pm
Meenakshi Srinivasan – India (bharata natyam)
Saturday November 1 at 8 pm
Janaki Rangarajan – USA / India (bharata natyam)
Sunday November 2 at 1:30 pm (Pay what you can)
Double Bill: Nivedha Ramalingam and Sujit Vaidya – Canada (bharata natyam)
