Classical dancers who vibe to Bollywood

Rasasvada, a two-day classical dance festival in the city,will feature performances of renowned dancers from the city.Akhila Damodaran talks to the performers.

‘Payal ki Jhankaar is a must watch for all
artistes’

B Bhanumathi
The performer is a senior Bharatanatyam guru. She started an institution Nrityakalamandiram.  

One Bollywood song that makes you dance?
Aaj Phir Jeene ki Tammanna Hai from Guide.

Favourite Bollywood item number?
Dola Re from Devdas.

A non-classical music song that’s stuck in your head for quite sometime now?
Azhun Naahi (Marathi Bhavgeet).

Favourite dance-based movie?
Payal Ki Jhankaar by Rajashri Productions.  

‘Item numbers have no relevance’  

Madhulita Mohapatra

The Odissi dancer has been working towards popularising the art form in South India

Bollywood songs that makes you dance?
Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche Hai Zubaan Par, Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo, Piya Tose Naina Lage Re and Aplam Chaplam Chaplai Re.

Favourite Bollywood item number?
Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat from the film Navrang. Item numbers do not hold importance to the film’s story.

What is your pre-performance ritual?
I do my routine warm-up exercises and give my gratitude and pranams to my gurus and God.

A non-classical music song that’s stuck in your head for quite sometime now?
I’m humming this beautiful song from the film, Mamta, sung by Hemant Kumar ji and Lata Mangeshkar ji, Chhupa Lo Yun Dil Mein Pyaar Mera Ke Jaise Mandir Mein Lau Diye Ki.

Favourite dance-based movie?
V Shantaram’s Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje and Navrang and Uday Shankar’s Kalpana.

‘Choreography of Kahe ched ched is simply  superb’  

Nandini Mehta

She is a noted Kathak dancer and artistic director of NADAM, a classical dance and music
institution.
 
One Bollywood song that makes you dance?
Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re

Favourite Bollywood item number?
Mohe Rang Do Laal from Baji Rao Mastani

Favourite non-dance activity/hobby?
Trekking and mountaineering.

A non-classical music song that’s stuck in your head for quite sometime now?
Phoolon Ke Rang Se from the movie Prem Pujari, sung by Kishore Kumar

Which is your favourite dance-based movie?
Devdas, because Pandit Birju Maharaj’s music and dance choreography is superb especially in his rendition of Thumri - Kahe ched ched.

‘We are all narcissists’

Janardhan Raj Urs
The artist is a Kathak and contemporary dancer who will present Nadanta on October 15

One bollywood song that makes you dance?
Humma Humma remix.

Favourite Bollywood item number?
Aaj rapat jaye to.

What’s your favourite non-dance activity/hobby?
Adventures sports.

A non-classical music song that’s stuck in your head for quite sometime now?
Boondana boondana.

‘Could’nt get up after my first class’

Nidhaga Karunad

Nidhaga is a young upcoming Kathak dancer from Bengaluru.

One Bollywood song that makes you dance?
Badtameez Dil from Yeh Jawani Yeh Diwani

Favourite Bollywood item number?
Main Aisa Kyun Hoon from Lakshya

How bad was the body pain when you first started dancing?
After my first class, I could not walk the next day. I couldn’t even get up from my bed. I didn’t attend the class for two weeks thinking it is not my cup of coffee and gave up, then realised no pain, no gain.

(Catch the performances on October 14, 15 at Seva Sadan.)

‘I love playing badminton’

Prashanth Shastry

The Bharatanatyam dancer and actor will perform on October 15.

One bollywood song that makes you dance?
Madhuban Mein Radhika
Nache Re

Favourite Bollywood item number?
Dola Re Dola

Which is your favourite dance-based movie? Why?
Sankarabharanam for its beautiful songs and Sagara Sangamam as it is on a male dancer’s life

‘Stuck on Dum Maro Dum’

Rajib Bhattacharya

Rajib is a senior Odissi dancer from Kolkata
One bollywood song that makes you dance?
Jhanak Jhanak Tori Baje Payaliya

A non-classical music song that’s stuck in your head for quite sometime now?
Dum Maro Dum