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Introduction
This is a review about a programme dance group 'MAITRII' put together for a fundraiser for Parasakthi Temple. In their words, "MAITRII-Detroit" . . a continuing outcome, an impulsive enthusiasm, an outlet for our passion towards the art and high regard for fellow artistes, converging into a dedicated effort!! Our humble attempt, to showcase, the beautiful tapestry and harmony of the various classical dance forms in India "Trayee - a trifold confluence of the feminine power" August 1, 2015 Seaholm High School Auditorium, Birmingham, MI S. Narayanaswamy, Detroit, USA "Trayee" The word Trayee refers to the Vedas, that fountain of original knowledge of the Sanatana Dharma. This is not because the Vedas are three in number, but because the Vedas primarily teach us three methods - gnana (knowledge), upasana (worship) and karma (acts). The number three has a great symbolic significance throughout the Hindu thought and worship - The Pranava (Aum) is made up of three sounds, the cosmos is made of three gunas, the God Almighty manifests in three primary roles - so on. "Shakti" Therefore, when we imagine the Goddess, the feminine cosmic energy, as Shakti, it is only natural that we imagine Her in three manifest forms. This is done traditionally in the forms of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. However, when three talented dancers got together to formulate a dance presentation on Shakti, they innovatively imagined the Trayee as - Siva Shakti, Kriya Shakti and Naveena Shakti. Manisha Dongre (Kathak), Radhika Acharya (Bharatanatyam), and Sandhyasree Athmakuri (Kuchipudi) joined their creative forces to present Trayee, in the fundraiser program of the Rajagopuram consecration for the local Parashakti Temple "The initial portion portrayed Shakti as the half of and inseparable from her male form of Siva" Hymns from the Rudram of the Yajurveda, interspersed with Siva Tandava strotram were used as musical score as the young dancers wove a complex yet rather abstract portrayal of Siva Shakti. The second portion imagined the goddess as Mahishasura Mardini, an unstoppable force that came into being from the will of the gods to eradicate evil from the creation. Covering both these portions, the dancers from teh three different traditions wore distinctly colorful costumes and emphasized the strengths and grace of their individual styles of dance while also blending together to create a powerful visual in the minds of the audience. "Naveena Shakti" Impressive as the first two portions are, it is the third part - Naveena Shakti, which completely stole the show. This part told the story of the young girl Malala from Pakistan, who bravely opposed the Taliban edict and went on to attend school. The choreographers took the opportunity to use Malala's story to underscore the broader systemic and systematic oppression of the girl child all across the world. A variety of narrative technics including instrumental music, film and folk music, prose narration and artful mime were used effectively to tell the story while the chorus dancers provided a good visual backdrop. The show is not only a tribute to the power of the feminine divinity but also to the rejuvenating and enduring spirit of the trailblazers like Malala and countless other brave women on the ground. The creative and collaborative spirit of Manisha, Radhika and Sandhyasree is much appreciated by the audience. The music credits included Shankar Mahadevan, Swapna Sundari, and Bill Whelan among other. Artistses of Maitri Asha Subramaniam: Mohini Attam Manisha Dongre : Kathak Radhika Acharya: Bharata Natyam Sandhya Sree Athmakuri: Kuchipudi and Bharata Natyam Shreelina Ghosh: Odissi For Trayee Script: Asha Subramaniam Choreography: Radhika Acharya, Sandhya Sree Athmakuri and Manisha Dongre Music Compilation: Maitrii Register/Enquire Trayee, Hamara, Narayana Swamy, Sandhyasree Athmakuri, PriyaLasya, (C), Do Not Copy, Copyrights Acknowledged, Note- Views are of the contributor. Pics Credit- Sandhyasree |