About This Show

Seven strong, creative, independent women of the Aalokam Dance Company will push the boundaries of Bharatanatyam, the traditional dance form from the southern region of India, with their debut performance at Dixon Place. Titled Pratyaksha, which means perspective in Sanskrit, the performance uses classic Indian dance pieces to explore, experience and expose western art movements and art forms including cubism, impressionism and romanticism, among others.

Pratyaksha will feature five items that gradually progress in complexity and intensity thereby forming a traditional repertoire. The five dances include Alaripu, Jathiswaram, Varnam, Padam and Thillana. While they stay completely true to the art in terms of style and narration, the movements and interaction between the dancers in each of the pieces are inspired by the painting techniques used by the greats such as Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh and the like. The dances will be set to a live music ensemble consisting of talented Indian musicians with several years of expertise.

The Aalokam Dance Company, led by Bharathi Penneswaran and Jyotsna Kalyansundar, is part of Aalokam, an organization in New York City. This company came into being when seven like-minded, creatively charged and experienced Indian classical dancers found a common purpose: a drive and passion to push the boundaries of the Indian classical dance form and how it is perceived, both locally and globally.