Flirting with the sensuous movement of Odissi, dancer Shagun Butani presents an evening of classical dance at the India International Centre. The performance will feature solo compositions from the traditional repertoire and in addition to these, the evening will also showcase Squares and Circles, a choreography by Shagun with three dancers that has been inspired from the geometry inherent in the techniques of Odissi. “Bound by the strict rules of form, Indian classical dance compels the dancer to be boxed in an invisible frame of unseen shapes. It is only when one learns to play within the boundaries of this frame that art begins to blossom and becomes the source of infinite delight. The great masters have created brilliant works by playing with the technique. Through my performance, I am trying to see what a dancer can achieve even while being bound by Chowk and Tribhangi—the two basic positions in Odissi,” she says.
Shagun always had a soul of a dancer. For as long as she can remember, this is what she wanted to do. “Surprisingly, I am the only dancer in my family. Many lifetimes of an unfulfilled desire to be able to dance finally seem to be coming true. Today, it has become a metaphor for my existence. The journey of learning and exploring is far from over. The desire still bums deep. The inner struggle to express continues. I want to be an Odissi dancer forever. A modern dancer... Just a dancer...,” she says.
Date-April 19 Time-7 pm onwards Venue-India International Centre, 40, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate Entry Free for all. First come, first served.
The Sunday Standard