Rama Vaidyanathan, a prominent Bharatanatyam dancer, will showcase her latest choreography, ‘New Dimensions to the Margam,’ as part of the Madhavi Festival at the India Habitat Centre (IHC) on April 21. The Madhavi Foundation is organising the event, which will feature a collection of traditional classical dance compositions rooted in the classical dance form but with a fresh perspective on its evolving vocabulary.
Exploring the Margam
The ‘Margam’ is a collection of traditional classical dance compositions that involve evocative imagery and emotions. A Guru demonstrates this path to the disciple, who then spends several years mastering it. After spending several years on the ‘Margam,’ the aspiring dancer can choose her own path, making her own individualistic statements and artistic choices.
Tradition and innovation
Rama Vaidyanathan’s latest choreography delves into the decisions she has made to give her voice to the traditional repertoire. “Any tradition needs to evolve, and that can happen only if it is constantly pulsating with new creations and renewed energies. ‘New Dimensions to the Margam’ is an endeavor to synergize tradition and innovation,” said Vaidyanathan.
Honouring her mother
The event is dedicated to Vaidyanathan’s mother, Madhavi, who was always supportive and encouraged her daughter to explore new avenues in dance. “And what better opportunity to present it than this event dedicated to my mother Madhavi who made me the dancer I am. She was always the one who would encourage me to push myself to get out of my comfort zone to explore new avenues in dance,” Vaidyanathan said.
The performance
Rama Vaidyanathan will perform the choreography alongside her disciples Kavya Ganesh, Reshika Sivakumar, Shubhamani Chandrashekar, and Vaishnavi Dhore to the musical renditions of Anugrah Lakshmanan on vocals, Sannidhi Vaidyanathan on mridangam, Vishwesh Swaminadhan on violin, and Ashwin Subramanian on Nattuvangam and Kanjira.
