March 18, 2004

Almaden dancers perform in “Shiva – The Cosmic Dancer”

Sunday, March 28 at the Louis B. Meyer Theatre, Santa Clara

Featuring several Almaden dancers, Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose presents a Bharatanatyam dance performance, “Shiva – The Cosmic Dancer,” at the Louis B. Meyer Theatre.

In 1986, Mythili Kumar, artistic director of Abhinaya Dance Company, presented Abhinaya's first dance production “Shiva - The Cosmic Dancer” The performance was critically acclaimed and is still remembered as a presentation that set new standards for classical dance performances in the Bay area. Abhinaya takes this opportunity to restage this theme that highlights the varied manifestations of the Hindu god Shiva.

Shiva in his multifaceted manifestations exemplifies the concept of the one Supreme Being who resolves within himself all the conflicts on this earth. He is at once the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer of the universe. He is Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer, whose dance animates the universe from within. He is also the Supreme ascetic. Bharatanatyam, the classical dance form of South India, is an ideal medium to portray the range of Shiva's manifestations through interpretation of selected lyrics and composition.

This first part of the performance will feature Abhinaya's students of all ages on stage, from the enthusiastic 8-year-olds to teenagers and adults demonstrating different manifestations of Lord Shiva. Through the music and verse of legendary composers such as Gopalakrishna Bharati, Neelakanta Sivan, and Papanasam Sivan, the Lord's dance will be extolled. The post-intermission segment will feature the next generation of Abhinaya dancers who will portray the varied paths that devotees pursue to attain Lord Shiva's grace.

Dominique Delorme, a native of France and a Bharatanatyam artiste trained by renowned teachers in India, will present “Shiva Karanas,” his own choreographic works that have earned him critical acclaim in Europe, USA and India. The performance revealed Dominique's remarkable flexibility, dexterity, fluidity and sheer power.

The Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose was founded by Artistic Director Mythili Kumar in 1980 to present innovative and professional-quality performances of Bharatanatyam (South Indian classical dance). Through rhythmic movements and stylized gestures, stories from Hindu mythology are retold in classical dance drama format. Since 1986, Abhinaya has staged several full-length dance dramas choreographed by Mythili Kumar, including “Shiva - the Cosmic Dancer” (1986), “Women Triumphant” (1990), “My Favorite Story” (1993), “Gandhi - the Mahatma” (1995), “Multi-Splendored Ramayana” (1996), “Love Exquisite” (1999), and “Surya – the Sun God” (2003). Through the years, Abhinaya has emerged as a leading multi-cultural organization in the South Bay, known both for its adherence to tradition as well as its innovative multi-cultural collaborations.

Abhinaya students will get the opportunity to dance to music provided by renowned musicians of the Bay Area: Asha Ramesh, vocals, Mythili Kumar and Malavika Kumar, Nattuvangam, N. Narayan, Mridangam, and Shanthi Narayan, violin.

Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose is funded in part by a grant from the city of San Jose, Arts Council Silicon Valley, California Arts Council (a state agency), Community Foundation Silicon Valley and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

The Louis B. Mayer Theater is located at the University of Santa Clara, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. Tickets for the 2 p.m. concert are: Donors, $25; general, $15; seniors/students, $10; family of four (two general, two Senior/student), $45. For information and to obtain tickets, call Abhinaya Dance Company at (408) 983-0491 or e-mail: abhinaya_sj@yahoo.com. Or send check and self-addressed stamped envelope to Abhinaya Dance Company, 52 Harold Avenue, San Jose, CA 95117. Tickets are also available online at www.sulekha.com/bayarea.