Classical dance and music come together

Performers present an array of dances at the function

The programme was a part of the annual activities of the Department of Production of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). A two-day classical dance and one-day instrumental music soiree was arranged at the National Theatre Stage of BSA.

The classical dance display began with the presentation of Odissi dance by the students of Minu Haq. Their first presentation was Gurubandana. Later, the troupe presented several fusion choreographies based on raga jayjayanti and a Tagore song.

Shubhra Sengupta and her students from Chittagong displayed compositions-- shabdam, tillana-- of Bharatnatyam. But, the choreographies lacked the ramondal, the basic stance of the classical dance genre.

Later, Kochi Rahman and his students presented three choreographies based on authentic Kathak-- barsamongal, nrityankur and thumri. Their display of classical dance was quite impressive.

Tamanna Rahman and her colourfully attired troupe staged four Manipuri dance compositions. The titles were basantaras, gother rakhal, instrument display and ras. Of these, gother rakhal was based on a Nazrul song. However, a few dance sequences were not well synchronised.

Belayet Hossain Khan and his students staged four compositions of Bharatnatyam genre-- bandana, saberi jotishram, naborasa and tillana. The group presentation of the authentic classical dance impressed the audience. Belayet performed a solo titled naborasa.

The main attraction of the evening was the spectacular presentation of Kathak dance by Mun Mun Ahmed and her students. In her solo performance she demonstrated different styles of the genre. Later, her students accompanied her and displayed different tukras of Kathak. The most interesting part of the presentation was a composition by Mun Mun, in which she improvised the Kathak and presented a 'football match' for the audience who missed the World Cup match in the evening.

Earlier, the programme was inaugurated by acclaimed dancer Rahiza Khanom Jhunu, principal of BAFA. Zinnat Barkatullah, director of the Department of Production delivered the welcome speech. Shafi Kamal, director of the Department of Dance and Music, chaired the opening ceremony.