‘Vande Mataram: Bharat Ek Sone ki Chidiya’, a dance ballet was showcased by Urvashi Dance Music Art & Cultural Society on 28 and 29 April in New Delhi with the notion to present India’s rich culture. The performance comprised a mix of classical, folk, and modern dance genres. The audience saw 100 artists perform, including 80 underprivileged girls.
The ballet began on an upbeat note with Satyam Shivam Sundaram as the theme, with an energetic lively taal played with tabla and piano, setting the tone for the rest of the show. Then there were the Kathak and Chhau dancers, who were dressed in gorgeous white dresses and their moves were elegant and mesmerising. The Chhau dance brought a special touch to the show. This was followed by a beautiful jugalbandi of mridangam and sitar that charmed the audience. The following performance was a Manipuri dance reflecting the beauty of our nation, which has always been known as “Sone ki Chidiya.” The dancers donned petals and showed the beauty of nature in the backdrop with exquisite patterns and decorations.
They displayed the beauty and grace of Indian traditional dance via Odissi and Mohiniyattam, with the G20 logo and the globe in the background. The Shakti, Yukti Sambhritam Bhavatu Bharatam performance was a tribute to the bravery of leaders and warriors who gave their lives to give us freedom and keep us safe. With the Holi performance that followed later, the occasion took on a more joyous tone.
The celebration of Baisakhi followed, with a rural scene that transported the audience to a rustic environment, complete with crops dancing to the music. While the Haryanvi beat brought an earthy flavour to the performance, Bharatnatyam stances depicting yoga asanas were a lovely complement, and the usage of Malkham showed the artists’ flexibility. Rekha Mehra’s performance was a salute to women’s empowerment, displaying their strengths and versatility. The females performed sword dances, emphasising their strength and might. Ganga Aarti was another delightful performance that captivated the crowd. The last performance was a tribute to India’s magnificence, featuring a song that included several Indian languages. The dancers honoured Vishwaguru by performing to the tunes with love and intensity.
The event was attended by several important dignitaries, including Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of Culture, Film Actress Joyshree, Bollywood Ace Choreographer Dharmesh Yelande.
Talking about the event, Rekha Mehra said, “We are delighted to present this larger-than-life dance ballet, which draws together the various art of Indian culture as well as artists from various nations. The entire performance was carried out using numerous props imported from Singapore to bring life to the sets and the performances.”
The performance not only included a blend of classical, folk, and modern dance techniques, but also props imported from Singapore. These featured butterfly wings, large pink and yellow flower petals, golden bird attire, and a Led screen.
