It felt like Holi all over again watching Devjani Chaliha, Rani Karna and their disciples perform at GD Birla Sabhaghar on March 29. Chaliha portrayed Yaosang (Holi) in the measured and formalised method that has made Manipuri dance famous. Basant Raas, the union of Radha and Krishna, with Chaliha as the Gopi Pradhana was quite entertaining. Based on the Tanjao, Tanchip and Mengup taals, with an energetic Krishna dancing to the tunes made a pretty sight. The only jarring note was an unwieldy Radha trying to keep pace. The other section had Rani Karna and disciples performing the vigorous and sensuous Kathak. What stood out was Tarang , the sitar and sarod jugalbandi (demonstrated by dancing) based on raga Miya Malhar and Rupak taal.
Shibani Chattopadhyay
Padatik Dance Centre and Shinjan Nrityalaya presented a solo Odissi dance recital by Arpita Venkatesh (Banerjee) at Padatik Little Theatre on March 25. Trained by Aloka Kanungo, the artiste showcased almost all the traditional items of Odissi repertoire starting from mangalacharan to moksha. The invocatory number Srita kamala kucha mandala from Jaydeva’s Geetagobinda was an average presentation. Despite her good footwork and neat bhramaris, the dancer lacked the swaying body movements which is the hallmark of Odissi dance style. Set to raga Kirmani and taal Jhula, Pallavi, the pure dance number was not a standard presentation. She failed to paint this beautiful raga by blending crisp bols and gentle glides with delicate rhythmic patterns.
Sharmila BasuThakur
Veteran photographer Tusar Kanti Dutta has borrowed a term from cricket to name his second solo exhibition Calcutta Caught Behind at the Academy of Fine Arts. The exhibition will continue till April 12. Dutta has focused on the various spots and sights of Calcutta long before the city’s name was changed to Kolkata. Dutta has used extra wide lenses to present a new viewpoint, but distortions too have crept in some of his photographs. Dutta’s technical quality, however, is of very high standard and his sense of composition and rules of good photography is admirable. The only portrait in the exhibition is that of Lady Ranu Mukherjee taken in soft lighting that highlights her soothing personality.
Sunil K. Dutt
