Evolution of dance from the past to the present and what it might be in the future is indeed an interesting topic to choreograph. To deal with such a vast and research-oriented subject, one should realise that sheer amalgamation of various dance forms is not enough to depict the evolution. Superficial treatment of this serious subject, conceived and directed by Arundhati Roy (in picture), is the weak point of Pravartan, a dance production presented by Open Doors and Chandril Odissi Centre at Gyan Manch on June 5.

The programme started off with Mangalacharan, a traditional invocatory number of Odissi repertoire. Due to the varied age groups of the dancers, the group performance was not a polished one. Pravartan gained pace and spirit from tribal and harvest dances performed by Mantu Debnath, Debraj Sen, Moumita Das, to name a few. Soft, gliding movements were aesthetically exploited by Debarati Goswami. A more illustrative and thought-provoking presentation was expected from a senior and sincere dancer like Roy.

With the fusion of Western, Odissi, folk and Tagore, the finale reached nowhere. It only portrayed the future of dance which is not very encouraging. The dancers were accompanied by Giridhari Nayek, Biplab Mandol and Rahul Chatterjee.