Image Courtesy: http://www.savithasastry.com
Savitha Sastry is in the news for all the right reasons. After her new choreographic work that was presented last year titled “Soul Cages“, the Delhi based dancer is bringing “Yudh: Three perspectives”, a solo performance, which is currently touring. In her own words:
The show is a solo Bharatanatyam dance theatre that will showcase perspectives that come from three characters — God, Satan and humans…It speaks of a war that seemingly has no end. We do not suggest any right or wrong in these perspectives; we leave the answers to the imagination of the audience
It has been scripted by her husband AK Srikanth, music by Rajkumar Bharathi. Talking of her husband, the reports say
Relocating [from US] just a couple of years ago, married and mother of an 18-year old, Savitha sounds neither the US return nor looks the mother to a grown up son. And perhaps her return to the stage is her way of finding herself again. Though, the shift to dance theatre is something she owes to her husband A K Srikanth.
He adds
People at the performance were either mostly on their phone or going out for a smoke in between. Just a small percentage would be watching in rapt attention…Classical dance isn’t followed anymore. Nobody on a large scale understands or appreciates the technique. Plus the mythology based story of a girl talking about her broken heart while her Krishna went around with other women, I find very insulting. I wouldn’t want my daughter to be doing that.
Yudh has so far been performed at NCPA, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and further on to Bangalore, New Delhi, Chennai, Pune and Sri Lanka
If you have seen it or going to see it, we would love to read your feedbacks 🙂
Here is a teaser
More details can be found here: http://www.savithasastry.com/yudh.html
References:
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/dance/new-steps-old-language/article2896172.ece
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/dance/showcase-more-than-just-tradition/article4347996.ece
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Art/Performing-perspectives/Article1-1004920.aspx
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/article1469675.ece
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/article1470934.ece
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/The-aesthetics-of-Yudh/SP-Article1-1016089.aspx
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-war-within/1078291/
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article1475785.ece
Bharathanatyam and the worldwide web 
It is indeed very important to resurrect the classical art form from it’s shackles. Finally, there is someone who has made a change in Bharthanatyam by not losing the aesthetics of the ancient art form.
It is a treat to see her dance. I am personnaly not a fan of classical dance but I never miss to watch her shows as she not only keeps the audience glued to her performance but also keeps our minds active, as the audience is comprehending and analysing the act presented on stage simultaneously.