Classical dance fest to start from today

Nagpur: A two-day classical dance festival has been organized by Maharashtra Lalit Kala Nidhi and Saptak. Featuring two Kathak dancers Sharvari Jamenis and Sonia Parchure along with Bharatanatyam exponent Kshitija Barve and Odissi dancer Arushi Mudgal, the festival will be organized at Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Auditorium at 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Pt Satish Vyas, an organizer of the event, said, “Though such festivals happen regularly in metros, I have observed that in cities like Sangli, Kolhapur and Nagpur, they are few and far between. My effort is to bring these events to tier-2 cities as there is an audience here which is eager for such exposure. If the response is good, I will hold this event every alternate year,” he added.

Kathak exponent Sharvari Jamenis said, “The audience here has the required patience to appreciate a classical performance.” Jamenis feels that such festivals provide the right kind of exposure and create awareness about the different genres of classical dances. Expecting a good audience at her performance, Bharatanatyam dancer Kshitija Barve, who hails from Kolhapur, said, “Nagpur is fast emerging as a cultural centre and a hub of classical dance and music. I am looking forward to my first performance here.”

The festival on both days will begin with presentations by local dance troupes. “In the city there has been a spurt in number of dance schools over the last few years. Numerous Arangetram performances are being held too. So, this seems to be a right time to hold such a festival,” said Vilas Manekar of Saptak. It is for this reason that local dancers too will get to share the stage with the established ones. “On the first day, students of Pratibha Nritya Mandir will perform. On the second day, students of Bhavan’s Kalasrijan will give a half an hour performance,” said Manekar.