Performance: …Classical Dance Performance, Theme: Framing Mood

Name of Artist: …Jyoti Shrivastava   

Program Time: …8-9pm

Actual Time: …820pm-930pm

Location: ...Meditation Hall, SRSG

Name of Chairman:…Shruti Singhal

Name of Reporter: …Lela Pierce

Main Points of the Lecture: .... BEAUTY

Questions and Answers (name of person and details of question): …

Comments:…

The conference participants enjoyed a flavorful evening of classical Indian dance. The theme of the performance was called ‘Framing Mood’. The show consisted of four solo pieces danced by Jyoti in the Odissi style of dance (which originated in the Eastern part of India) with rich accompaniments by talented musicians from Delhi.

The program began with a Guru Vandana (the Invocation to Guru) which was a khayal and bhajan. It was presented by Siddhartha Kishore, disciple of Guru Asim Chakravarti and son of Jyoti.

The first part of Jyoti’s performance was Ganesh Tandava, Mangalacharana, an invocation to Lord Ganesh for blessings. The second part was Bajra Kanti Pallavi, based on Raga Bajrakanti, which is an Ek Tali. This dance is without any theme and begins from slow motion to very fast rhythm akin to blossoming of a flower portraying a semblance of Konark Temple in Orissa. The third dance was Astapadi:  It is a thematic presentation and is based on the Geeta Govind of Kavi Guru Jaideva. Here Radha is missing Krishna who was just here and playing with her. Instead here she witnesses groves and plants and flowers all mocking at her. Radha’s emotions were beautifully expressed by Jyoti. The last part was Shivastaka. It is a prayer to Lord Shiva, written by Adi Shankaracharya. It is in Raga Bhairavi.

Overall the themes were devotional in nature and Swami Veda Bharati explained that the dancer was not dancing for the audience or for herself but for that notion of God and that place of extreme desire for truth. Furthermore it was explained that through the practice of dance one is able to find a place of egoless flow and the dance becomes a true expression of the Self. Therefore it can serve as an expansion of sadhana/spiritual practice. Jyoti embodied that mastery beautifully and shared it with everyone present.