First steps for many more to follow
NEW DELHI: Her day starts and ends with footwork. Without the slightest shift in routine, Odissi dancer Niharika Prakash plays football from 6 am to 8 am and then attends her dance class from 4 pm to 7 pm. In the interim, school demands her attention. But since the last one month, Prakash has forgotten what it is like to do various activities through the day. It’s dance everywhere and at all times. Her arangetram performance called Manch Pravesh is scheduled for July 15, and it’s something she has focusedly prepared for.
Learning abhinaya or the formal set of techniques that comes as a part of the Indian dance forms, served as a challenge for Prakash. To be cognisant of every little aspect such as the story construct, the mood, posture—the entire act was difficult. “Odissi has taught me to introspect,” she says adding, “At the beginning of adolescence, I felt a disconnect with myself. Then my guru Ranjana Gauhar, sat me down and explained that I needed to be at terms with myself and connect with my body just as a dancer weaves together the rhythm of her feet with the beats of the music.”
Soon realised that Odissi urged her not only to express openly but also love herself fully. For her arangetram the dancer will perform five different items. They include Manglacharan, which includes sholkas from Abhinaya Darpan in praise of Lord Shiva; Sangini Re Chahan Beni Pani, an odia poem in praise of Lord Krishna; Lalit Lavang Lata, an excerpt from Geet Govindam by Jayadev, Saveri Pallavi, traditional item including scupturesque poses; Jai Maa, a prayer in praise of Goddess Durga; and Mokshya, the concluding item of the repertory, consisting of movements making a crescendo. “They are some of my favourite compositions strung together for a holistic expression of my art,” says Prakash.
She is presently in grade 11 at Modern School Barakhamba Road. Prakash is a science student who wants to become a veterinarian. “My parents taught me to respect animals and in addition, I fell in love with them,” she shares.
At age seven, she was introduced to dance. But many around her were sceptical of whether she would be able to pursue both. They said all sorts of things such as ‘science is hard,’ ‘you need to focus on studies”, ‘those who take up science, can’t manage extracurricular’. “Let me tell you. It isn’t. I will do it. I will become a vet and I will never stop dancing,” she says.
Whether it’s the sports field or the performance stage, she aims to hit the goal wherever she goes. Good to know: July 15, at 6 pm, Chinmaya Mission Auditorium, Lodhi Road.
Set to beat
An evening of Jazz music, along with wine and conversations with Ipshita Roy and Rhythem Bansal awaits you at The Den Lounge, PVR Director’s Cut, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj. July 21, at 9 pm.