Event Details

PALEM – Mother
Manipuri by Latasana Devi & Troupe
WHEN WALLS DANCE
Bharatanatyam by Prachi Saathi

Latasana Devi is a performer, teacher, choreographer and founder of Kaina Foundation, a non-profit organisation. She is a disciple of Bipin Singh, Darshana Jhaveri, Kalavati Devi and Guneswari Devi. She stood first in the Sangeet Nritya Pratiyogita organised by the Government of West Bengal and has received a scholarship from the Manipur State Kala Academy, Imphal and a Junior Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, New Delhi. She is a ‘Top’ grade artiste in Doordarshan and an empanelled artiste of the ICCR. In this presentation, the audience will be treated to a variety of colourful and attractive Manipuri dance costumes including the richly bedecked ‘polloi’ (also part of the Meitei bridal attire) along with intricate jewellery and headgear. The performance, featuring artistes from Manipur, will have Manipuri classical and folk dances and traditional martial arts, pung cholom and dhol cholom.

PALEM

My theme for Ahariya  for Mudra Festival is PALEM (Mother).

I will.be showcasing classical Manipuri dance, traditional Manipuri Folk dance,  Martial arts, pung cholom and Dhol Cholom. I aim to show all the costumes of Manipur which we use in dance s costumes and traditional festivals as festive wear. In the First half I will be showing all the classical Manipuri dance costumes and in the second half I will be showing Manipuri Folk dance, martial arts and traditional costumes. These costumes will be showcased using the corresponding choreographies, after which we specially bring in the Manipuri bridal costume. A similar costume was shown in the first half In raas Leela, and here we highlight the difference between raas costumes and the traditional wedding dress of manipur.

I chose the topic Palem (mother) to showcase the traditions and cultures of my motherland, Manipur. Today my mother is burning and breaking under war, and her only wish is to have her children safe and sound to continue to enjoy these traditions on her land.

Prachi  Saathi is an accomplished Bharata Natyam performer and has been practicing this art for the past more than 2 decades. After her initial training with Guru Vaibhav Arekar, Prachi received further guidance under Guru Lata Raman. Presently she is training extensively under the tutelage of her Guru Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan. She has completed her Masters in Bharata Natyam. Prachi is an ‘A’ grade Doordarshan artist and is also empaneled with the ICCR.

She has to her credit many prestigious awards and performances at reputed venues all across the country and abroad. She has been awarded the prestigious titles such as ʻShringarmaniʼ

“Nritya Shiromani”  “Girnar Ratna” “Nalanda Nritya Nipuna” and many more. She has had the opportunity to perform at the prestigious Royal Festival Hall, London as a part of the dance ensemble of Pandit Ravi Shankar’s only opera called ‘Sukanya’.

Apart from dancing Prachi is also a well established voice artist for the past 3 decades. She has dabbled in theatre, modelling, television, feature films and radio as well. Prachi has curated the series ‘Raaz Riyaaz Ka’ which emphasises the importance of practice which gained a lot of popularity. Besides she has conceptualised a few Multi-style group productions and solo dance productions. Curating ‘Art Baithak’ has been her latest endeavour where she works towards bringing artists and newer audiences in close intimate spaces for the promotion and propagation of arts.  She has been a part of several outreach programmes organised by NCPA, IGNCA and Spicmacay where she has interacted with children and conducted a host of voice workshops as well.

When Walls Dance: A unique production featuring a coming together of different artistic practices across different storytelling mediums to trigger important conversations about the relationship between man and nature. The performance combines Bharata Natyam, spoken word, and music against the backdrop of animation & tribal Warli art to tell the story of a little girl Champa, and her beloved tree. 

Performed by: Prachi Saathi.
Co-Created by: Prachi Saathi & Upasana Nattoji Roy 

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