Monday January 14, 2013

Unity message in Ravi’s dance potpourri

Dancing for peace: (From left) Kannan, Sugitha and Ravi posing after a performance at the Ponggal festival at Padang Chetty in Klang.

KLANG: An Indian classical dancer choreographed a performance combining dances from different states in India as a show of unity.

Ravi Shanker said he decided to incorporate the various dances as a way of telling people to be united despite coming from different ethnic groups.

The mesmerising dance was performed before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor at a Ponggal celebration in Padang Chetty here yesterday.

“I also wanted to expose Malaysians to the kathakali dance from Kerala, which is rarely performed here,” he said.

The dance is famous for its elaborate costume, colourful make-up and detailed movements.

Ravi said among the dances incorporated during the Ponggal event included the peacock dance from Tamil Nadu, kuchi pudi from Andhra Pradesh and odissi from Orissa.

Dancer R.N. Sugitha Nadarajah, 23, said she felt proud to be presenting Indian culture.

“I hope more people will be interested in Indian classical dance after watching our performance,” said the college student, who started dancing at the age of eight.

R. Kannan, 24, said while Malaysian youth were generally more interested in modern dance, they should learn to appreciate traditional dance as well.

“Indian classical dance is challenging because the moves require a lot of flexibility. Even the make-up used is very intricate,” said the dancer.

Ponggal is celebrated by Hindu Tamils today to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.

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Monday January 14, 2013

Unity message in Ravi’s dance potpourri