Page 9 - sandesh

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
orld Dance Day is celebrated every year at RSJMS under
the aegis of SPIC MACAY by inviting a leading personality
from the world of dance for a lecture – demonstration.
WFounded by a Modernite -Dr. Kiran Seth, SPIC MACAY is
an endeavour to educate the youth and familiarize them with the rich
Indian culture and heritage through dance, music, yoga and meditation.
SPIC MACAY programmes are hosted by schools and colleges all over
India.
To celebrate and promote the World Dance Day 2016, Ms. Geeta
Mahalik was invited to explain the nuances of the Odissi style of
dancing. A proud recipient of the Sangeet Natak
Akademi Award and the Odisha State Natak
World Dance Day 2016 Akademi Award, Geetaji is one of the outstanding
exponents of Odissi dance in India today. In 2014,
the Government of India honoured her with the
Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, for
her services to the field of art and culture.

The show commenced with lighting of the traditional lamp by
Smt. Geeta ji and the Headmistress Ms. Manju Rajput in the back
drop of Sanskrit shlokas rendered by the school choir. Thereafter, the
Headmistress presented Geetaji and her accompanying artists with a
plant- a sign of life and continuity. As the lecture demonstration began,
Geetaji enthralled the young audience with her graceful movements
and dance style. She explained the origin of Odissi dance in the great
Jagannath temple by Maharees (dancing girls) in front of deities-Lord
Krishna, his elder brother Balram and their sister Subhadra while
Gotipuas – men dressed as Krishna and Radha danced outside the temple.
Geetaji began her performance with Manglacharan -Trikhandi and
Bhoomi Pranaam as an ode to Gurus and Mother Earth. Next was Pallavi,
a pure dance based on Raag Mukharee. There was lots of excitement
in the audience when she invited the P5 students, learning any form of
classical dance at home, on to the stage to dance with her on Ektaal.
The group dance proved to be an amalgamation of different dance forms
performed to the beats of Ektaal. She culminated her performance with
Abhinay -an integral part of any dance form. She first depicted the Nava
Rasas followed by a bhajan wherein Lord Krishna
questions his mother Yashoda, about the difference
of skin colour between him and his brother, Baldau.
Next was Kaliadaman where Lord Krishna depicts
his Viraat Roop as-Lord Vishnu the Srishtikarta.
Towards the end, Geetaji educated the children
on Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan, the nation wide
initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi. The audience was so enthralled by her
performance that they couldn’t stop clapping. They
were really spellbound! The Headmistress presented
Geetaji and her accompanying artists with a small
token of appreciation. The musical morning was
indeed a good start to a great day!
Vidhu Gadia, Staff Member

8 Sandesh 2016-17, Volume 1