Sampradaya Dance Creations: Manipuri and Odissi dance program in Mississauga

 

May 31 Performance Photo

Toronto:  On Saturday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m., Sampradaya Dance Creations is presenting the rare opportunity to see two South Asian classical dance forms not as regularly seen or performed together – Manipuri and Odissi dance along with live Hindustani vocals by acclaimed international guest artists Enakshi Sinha (Odissi), Bimbavati Devi (Manipuri) and Srijan Chatterjee (Vocalist) in a performance piece called Devi – The Divine Core.

Set to take place at Sampradaya Theatre in Mississauga, this intimate theatre space is the perfect spot to experience these ancient arts forms up close and personal.

Presented by Sampradaya Dance Creations under their signature series, the Kalangan Series: World of South Asian Art which brings notable South Asian artists from around the world to the local community – Devi- The Divine Core is a collaborative work between Manipuri dance (originating from northern India, this dance style embodies delicate, lyrical and graceful movements, dancers do not wear ankle bells and it is regarded as a spiritual experience), and Odissi dance (originating from the temples in Orissa, eastern India , it is distinguished from other classical dance forms by the importance it places upon the independent movement of head, chest and pelvis) has been blended with the added layer of live Hindustani vocal music to create this one of a kind mixed dance program.

Devi – the Divine Core explores the concept of “Devi” or “the Feminine Divine”. Devi represents the female counterpart that balances out the male energy. The Divine sees both male and female energies as equal and one cannot exist without the other. Devi is often characterized to embody the active energy and power of male deities. The performance will interpret the strength, power and beauty of the male and female energies through skilled dance movements and dynamic vocals.

“Having a chance to discover Manipuri is really a special opportunity as it is something you can’t easily find on stages in North America, not to mention seeing a dance program that has also incorporated Odissi dance and live vocals into the same piece, says Lata Pada, Artistic Director for Sampradaya Dance Creations. This performance will give our local audience the opportunity to experience these dance forms and will also offer the chance to interact with the artists in a talk-back session that will follow the show.”

Tickets for the May 31 performance are on sale now – Adults: $20, Students/Seniors $15 and can be purchased by calling 905-607-8434 or by email at info@sampradaya.ca. Tickets will be sold at the door on a first come basis. Space is limited. For more information, please visit – sampradaya.ca

Sampradaya Dance Creations is a Canadian, Mississauga-based professional dance company specializing in the creation and production of classical and contemporary dance works based in the tradition of Bharatanatyam, a South Asian dance form. Founded in 1990 by Lata Pada, accomplished dancer and choreographer, the Company continues to inspire audiences with annual productions produced locally and internationally, while continuing to nurture the talents of emerging young dancers.

Sampradaya Dance Creations receives funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, City of Mississauga- Arts & Culture Division.