Meera: A Hindu tale in movement

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July 25, 2003, 12:52PM

 

Meera: A Hindu tale in movement

By MOLLY GLENTZER

Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

 

Classical ballet isn't the only dance form that tells stories through

movement, flashy costumes and live music. Hindu mythology and

folklore have supplied Indian classical dance with an even larger

book of tales.

 

Viji Prakash, one of the most prolific Indian choreographers in the

United States, returns to Houston Saturday with her Shakti Dance

Company. They'll perform Meera, built on the poignant songs of

Meerabai, a 16th-century Rajput princess who gave up royal life to

sing, dance and chant about her beloved Lord Krishna.

 

Meerabai's bhajans, or devotional songs, will be sung by Lakshmi

Shankar, renowned for her emotional, three-octave renditions. She was

the singing voice of Richard Attenborough's Oscar-winning film Gandhi.

 

In the epic, the child Meerabai receives a Krishna doll, and by the

time she's an adult, her devotion is so powerful it threatens her

marriage. Her husband builds a temple to Krishna to humor her, and

her chanting inspires people from all over the kingdom -- including

enemies -- to join in singing and chanting. The angry husband orders

her to drown herself, but Krishna saves her. After many more

adventures -- a pilgrimage, the death of her husband -- Krishna

welcomes her into his arms and they become one.

 

Mythili Prakash, Viji's daughter, will dance the lead role. She

received a best dancer award at the Music Academy in Chennai, India,

in 2000 and performed at New York's Joyce Theatre last year. The 25-

member cast also features Malaysian dancer Ajit Bhaskaran Das in the

roles of Prince Bhojraj and his cousin Rana Vikram Ajit. In addition

to vocals, flute and violin, the orchestra includes traditional

nattuvangam (hand cymbals) and mridangam (a double-sided drum).

 

Meera is presented by the Indo-American Association, which also

hosted Prakash's Bhagavad Gita last year. Curtain is 8 p.m. Saturday

at the Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas. Tickets are $20-$50 at 281-

648-0422 or www.iaahouston.com .