Dance of a different stroke

As the performance rolled on, the audience was treated to a medley of dances from the spiritual to modern fusion. Tanusree had based the dance numbers not on traditional form, but rather depended on the flowing and rich music of her husband Ananda Shankar, a composer and populariser of world music and son of the renowned maestro Udaya Shankar. She had received tutelage from Amala Shankar, and had performed internationally, including the opening ceremonies of national events in India. Though a dancer by profession, Tanusree had also been involved in acting on screen.

The dances reflected the variety of her exposure. The special effect lighting, the music, the rich costumes gave the impression of dynamism, energy and youthfulness. The audience was warm in its response to the diversity in the dances from a fisherman's ritual, to Rajasthani culture to the rather innovative scene of a chess player's mind!

One common thread in all this was the marked shift away from traditional moves of classical Indian dance. What struck the audience most was the balance between modern and traditional dance and the wonderful group synchronization even in exhaustive moves.

The acoustics was a blend of electronic, wind and string instruments and played to the beat of both drums and tabla.

Over the years, the Dhaka audience have been enthralled by the graceful Leela Samson, the exciting Radha and Raja Reddy couple or the elegance of Sangjukta Panigrahi. For this reason, some of the numbers of this particular program might take a bit of time to be fully appreciated by all.

But culture is ever evolving and the performance was a reflection of the change. Ms. Shankar must be lauded for her efforts to bring together cultures and yet balance the diversity of the different forms.