"Nachle India II" in Irvine Sunday

The stage at the Irvine Barclay Theatre will come alive with the diverse classical dances of India in “Nachle India II”, a dance presentation by the Irvine-based Ektaa Center. On Sunday, May 23 at 6pm, some of the finest talent from the Indian diaspora will showcase their talent and creative skills in this second installment of what is becoming a popular series.

Featuring dancers representing six of India’s classical dance forms, the focus is on presenting the best of traditional dance as well as an exploration of new work in the idiom. This event is a part of the countywide Imagination Celebration supported by the Orange County Department of Education and Arts OC.

“This production will entertain diverse audiences and also provide an opportunity to experience both the traditional and contemporary dance expressions of the Indian diaspora”, says Harish Murthy, Executive Director of the Ektaa Center.

The Ektaa Center is the first center in Southern California dedicated to the arts and culture of India. Based in Irvine, the Center serves the southland community with classes, events and activities that promote an awareness and understanding of the India’s diverse and rich artistic traditions. Irvine Barclay Theatre is one of the premier venues in Orange County for multicultural performances. This production is partially funded by a grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, and the Metabolic Studio, a direct charitable activity of the Annenberg Foundation.

The dancers to be featured in “Nachle India II” include:

Anjani's Kathak Dance of India with special guest artist Amrapali Ambegaokar (Kathak), Ahila Gulasekaram and the Arpana Dance Company (Bharata Natyam), Jyoti Lakkaraju and Company (Kuchipudi), Sharanya Mukopadhayay (Odissi), Radha Carmen (Mohiniattam), and Sohini Ray (Manipuri).

Anjani’s Kathak Dance of India will present a performance by the students of NEA National Heritage Fellow Guru Anjani Ambegaokar, an instructor at the Ektaa Center. Kathak is a dance form that originated in northern India. It can be described with the phrase "Kathaa kahe so kathak", a saying many teachers pass on to their pupils, which can be translated, “that which tells a story, that is Kathak”.

Guest artist Amrapali Ambegaokar is a veteran of stage and screen who recently appeared on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance and was the International Solo Silver Medalist on NBC’s Superstars of Dance.

The Arpana Dance Company, under the guidance of Guru Ramya Harishankar, also an instructor at the Ektaa Center, will present a traditional Bharata Natyam piece featuring soloist Ahila Gulasekaram juxtaposed with a modern multicultural piece in collaboration with taiko drummers. Bharata Natyam originated in Tamil Nadu and is known for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculpturesque poses. Today, it is one of the most popular and widely performed Indian dance styles and is practiced by many dancers all over the world.

Jyoti Lakkaraju and Company are a Bay Area-based Kuchipudi group. Kuchipudi is a fascinating dance form from the state of Andhra Pradesh that combines the intricate movements of classical dance with the narrative theatrical elements of drama. Ms. Lakkaraju has performed worldwide, received numerous awards, prizes and titles and established her own school, Natyalaya. Her company’s piece will feature a performance by a male artist, a rarity in the Kuchipudi dance community.

The Los Angeles Times called Odissi performer Sharanya Mukopadhayay a dancer characterized by a “fluidity and clarity of technique, married beautifully with quicksilver dramatic skills”. Odissi, the traditional dance of the eastern state of Orissa, is the oldest surviving dance form of India and the performance of a master such as Ms. Mukopadhayay is the epitome of fluid grace and has a distinctively lyrical quality that is very appealing.

Radha Carmen is the founder and artistic director of Mandalam Performing Arts of India in Los Angeles. She is trained in Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, the martial art Kalaripayattu, and Mohiniattam, the traditional dance of the southwestern state of Kerala which she will be presenting. Mohiniattam is a very graceful dance which is typically performed in solo recital by women and translates as “dance of the enchantress”.

Sohini Ray, recipient of the “Los Angeles Treasures Award” given by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles and the California Traditional Music Society, founded the first Manipuri performing ensemble on the west coast. Manipuri dance originates in the northeast state of Manipur, deep in the Himalayas, and is one of the few dance forms of India for which the temple tradition is still alive. Ms. Ray will present a traditional piece as well as a contemporary piece incorporating current events in Manipur.

For more details or information about the Ektaa Center call Harish Murthy at (949) 300-8912 or visit www.ektaacenter.org. For tickets to the performance please call the box office at (949) 854-4646 or purchase online at www.thebarclay.org. MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover are accepted.

The theatre is located at 4242 Campus Drive in Irvine.

Web Sites:
Ektaa Center - www.ektaacenter.org
Irvine Barclay Theatre - www.thebarclay.org