Sanskrit for 'taking steps together', Samaagati brings a collaborative effort between dancers Srividya Angara Sinha and Shubha Nagarajan as they share the stage and energy in presenting the very graceful and lyrical dance forms of Kuchipudi and Odissi.
Kuchipudi is the state dance style of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Marked by dramatized expression and intricate footwork, this ancient dance-drama tradition came into being around the 15th century AD when an ascetic by name Sri Siddendra yogi brought this form to the forefront with his magnum opus – the Bhaamaakalaapam.
Early 19th century saw the inclusion of solo repertories and women into the hitherto male-dominated dance form. Great teachers have, through the centuries, made it their lives' work to promote and preserve Kuchipudi through their untiring efforts.
Odissi, the lyrical and sensuous dance form from Odisha, in the eastern part of India is characterized by fluidity of upper torso, graceful gestures while displaying strength in footwork. Its abhinaya or expressional body of work is mainly poised on 12th century poet Jayadeva's epic work, Geeta Govinda. Odissi has its seminal roots in the temple dancing rituals or Devdasi traditions. Post Indian independence in 1947, great effort was made by eminent Gurus like Guru Debaprasad, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Guru Pankaj Charan Das and others to revive this dance style. It is now a well established and codified classical dance form.
Kuchipudi is the state dance style of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Marked by dramatized expression and intricate footwork, this ancient dance-drama tradition came into being around the 15th century AD when an ascetic by name Sri Siddendra yogi brought this form to the forefront with his magnum opus – the Bhaamaakalaapam.
Early 19th century saw the inclusion of solo repertories and women into the hitherto male-dominated dance form. Great teachers have, through the centuries, made it their lives' work to promote and preserve Kuchipudi through their untiring efforts.
Odissi, the lyrical and sensuous dance form from Odisha, in the eastern part of India is characterized by fluidity of upper torso, graceful gestures while displaying strength in footwork. Its abhinaya or expressional body of work is mainly poised on 12th century poet Jayadeva's epic work, Geeta Govinda. Odissi has its seminal roots in the temple dancing rituals or Devdasi traditions. Post Indian independence in 1947, great effort was made by eminent Gurus like Guru Debaprasad, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Guru Pankaj Charan Das and others to revive this dance style. It is now a well established and codified classical dance form.