Guest guest Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Middleton, Wisconsin, USA (September 16, 2005): It takes the dancers in "Goddess vs. The Evil" at least 1half hours to put on their costumes: five-piece outfits made of silk - followed by two large boxes of jewelry per performer and, finally, layers of elaborate facial makeup. Still, 90 minutes is nothing when you consider that the classical Indian ballet movements they perform date back 3,000 years. "This is very authentic," says Kripa Baskaran, who appears in "Goddess vs. The Evil" Saturday night at the Middleton Performing Arts Center along with 20 senior dancers from her Madison-based Natyarpana Dance Company. "This sort of classical ballet today is even rare in India." Highly detailed in its choreography as well as in its costumes, "Goddess" brings to life the Indian epic story of the buffalo-headed demon Mahisha, who gets a wish fulfilled by the creator of the universe: That no human can destroy him, with the exception of one woman. But the gods work together to create a goddess known as Shakthi, or "force." After dramatic onstage fights and elegant swordplay, Shakthi slays the demon and protects the universe. "Goddess vs. The Evil," which was performed Friday night in Stevens Point and will be staged again in Milwaukee on Sunday, features Pasumarthy Venkateswara Sarma, a master of the classical Kuchipudi dance form, as the malevolent Mahisha. Sarma, who lives in India, created the choreography, wrote the lyrics and music and recorded the CD for this interpretation of the ancient tale, and is performing it with Indian-American dance troupes in nine U.S. cities. The Wisconsin production blends both Sarma's Kuchipudi style with the Bharatnatyam classical dance technique taught at Baskaran's dance school. Both are forceful, graceful and precise forms of movement, and will be accompanied by a soundtrack with traditional instruments such as the mridangam and tabla drums and the stringed veena. Sarma brought the custom costumes with him in a small army of suitcases; the ornate headpieces in the show had to be hand-carried from Chicago. Sarma also serves as makeup artist to transform the "pretty girls in the troupe ... into evil demons," Baskaran said. With its action and vivid colors, "Goddess" holds special appeal for families with children, she said. Tonight's 80-minute spectacle will include an oral telling of the story in English to help the audience follow the plot. "It's a very interesting experience for everyone," Baskaran said. "Children love the sword fights. It's like 'Power Rangers' for boys and girls." Baskaran has even offered free transportation from the UW-Madison campus for students who otherwise couldn't attend the show in Middleton. "Nothing should be a handicap for them to come to the play," she said. "People are not often exposed to this sort of thing. The message that we are trying to convey is: Let there be no evil force around us in society. I'm using my 20 dancers and this superior artist from India to convey this message to our international audience in Wisconsin." If you go What: "Goddess vs. the Evil: The Slaying of Evil Demon Mahisha," a classical Indian dance presented by Natyarpana Dance Company. When: 6:30 Saturday night. Where: Middleton Performing Arts Center, Middleton High School, 2100 Bristol St. Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door (students $8 in advance, $10 at the door). Children 6 and under free. Available at Borders West bookstore, 3750 University Ave. Web site: www.natyarpana.com SOURCE: Wisconsin State Journal. Ancient Art 00:00 am 9/17/05 by GAYLE WORLAND URL: http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/features/index.php?ntid=54394&ntpid=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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