ABOVAHIKA, a dance school based in New Town, celebrated its fourth annual function at Rabindra Tirtha. On the occasion, a group of singers and dancers from the dance school came together to perform the popular dance drama Shapmochan by Rabindranath Tagore.
The show began with an address by NKDA chairman Debashis Sen. “I am amazed to see the auditorium filled to capacity. You have even had to lay out a few extra chairs. I have seen the students of Abovahika perform before at the Clock Tower ground and I am confident that today’s performance will be equally captivating,” he said.
The dance drama was directed and choreographed by the president of Abovahika, Mahua Bhattacharya Adhikari. The programme was a captivating interplay of graceful dance moves, vibrant lighting and melodious rendition of Rabindra Sangeet by the singers.
Adhikari said that she had always been busy with professional commitments, but when she settled in New Town, she wanted to pursue her dream and teach the traditional dance forms of Manipuri and Bharatanatyam. On the evening's choice, she said Shapmochan was a personal favourite.
"The songs in the dance drama are very close to my heart. They express dual emotions of devotion and love.” Adhikari herself portrayed the role of Komolika, the lead character. The dance drama was well-synchronised, which spoke of hours of practice by the members.
“We started choreographing and rehearsing the group performances six months ago, adjusting as best as we could to the schedules of my students. For the last three months, we were practising at full tilt.” Among the dancers was Sumi Pal, an IT professional.
“Both my daughters and I have been with Abovahika for the last four years. We have been rehearsing for two to three hours daily with the singers. We were fully prepared and did not feel nervous at all.” Adhikari has trained students as young as six years as also women who are 50-plus.
“Dance as an art form should be performed with love. One should cherish the joy of dancing for its own sake and not with any performance in mind,” she summed up.
