Ahmedabad, Nov 22, Edition-6 of Abhivyakti – The City Arts Project, an endeavor of UNM Foundation of Mehta Family’s Torrent Group, brought together a diverse array of performances that captivated audiences of all ages, from the young to the elderly, brings to life India’s traditional art, music & dance on stage.
According to UNM Foundation On Friday, unique expositions included contemporary dance infused with martial arts, the 17th century traditional music, experimental theatre and Indian classical dance forms such as Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Mohiniyattam enthralled the visitors with dynamism and diverse artistry.
Setting the tone for the evening was Gopal Agarwal & Aakash Vanzara’s Contemporary dance with Martial Arts themed “Territorial”. In their breathtaking performance, they explored the theme of man versus wild, focusing on how human encroachment threatens wildlife. Through a grey character, they highlighted the destruction caused by humans while acknowledging those who care about preserving nature. The performance called for a reflection on the need to protect our planet’s flora and fauna to ensure both – their survival and our own.
This was followed by the soulful melodies of traditional Betha Garba by Sharnam Vrund of singer Anupa Pota, which resonated deeply with the audience, evoking a sense of cultural pride and nostalgia. The 17th century musical form of Betha Garba is a cultural tradition of Naagar community, who practice this vocal form of music to worship their Kuldevi – Goddess during Navratri festival. The production aims to showcase the soulful invocation and installation of Mataji, preserving this age-old tradition.
‘Coming Soon’ a dark humour theatre by Devanshu Shah & Devang Nayak received thunderous applause as the audience associated with the common-man’s situational story behind the development chaos, land acquisitions and the emotions connected to it. The story is about a young man desperately needing money for his mother’s treatment finds out about his ancestral land, which is used as a graveyard. Navigating through ways of reclaiming his land for money, the play explored the balance between honouring the deceased and asserting property rights.
At the second venue in ATIRA, Dr Ayswaria Warriar performed her Tripoothu dance act. Dr. Ayswaria brought to life the sacred & rare festival which celebrates the menstruation of Goddess Parvati, through a mesmerizing Mohiniyattam Nritya Natika (Dance Ballet). The unique performance honoured the divine feminine and challenged the societal taboos surrounding menstruation. Through a blend of dance, music, and storytelling, the production gave and empowering experience to all including women audience.
On the platform performance, dancer duo Tarini Tripathi & Shalmali Zankar gave a spectacular performance of Kathak under the theme of Alokik. In the Indian classical dance piece, the duo attempted to explore Sankhya philosophy’s cosmic union of Prakriti (material) and Purusha (consciousness). The performance, centred on the union of Shiv and Parvati, illustrates the philosophical tenets of creation, existence & liberation, highlighting the interplay of these forces in human experience. Rooted in the traditional form of Kathak, they highlighted a narrative that can be found in one’s journey through the cosmos.
The audience received another spiritual experience in Priyank Upadhyay’s theatre performance “Shunyavatar”. It questioned one’s existential question on “Who are You” & can you say that without your name, profession, culture, etc. This concept is a journey of an Individual, trying to un-layer the self and wake up from the sleep he has always been choosing, the sleep of the consciousness. He has been sedating himself with countless things so that he doesn’t have to face the ultimate reality of consciousness i.e. who they really are.
Another installation that grabbed the visitors’ attention was Metamorphosis: A Visual Exploration of Urban Slum Challenges by visual artist Himalay Boruah from Dibrugarh, Assam. Inspired by his lush hometown, he creates artworks that capture the essence of nature. The creative installation highlighted the challenges faced by residents of neglected urban slums. The building, a metaphor for these challenges, becomes a canvas depicting the harsh realities of life in an impoverished community. The deteriorating facade, with cracked walls, weathered paint, and broken windows, reflects the community’s resilience and strength. By engaging with the artwork, the artist invites you to reflect on the resilience of marginalized communities, the urgent need for social and environmental justice, and the potential for
positive transformation in the face of adversity.
Another artist from North-East, Kshetrimayum Gopinath Singh from Imphal, Manipur, presented “Echoes of Loktak” captured the serene beauty of Loktak Lake and the endangered Sangai deer. The lake sustains livelihoods yet faces environmental challenges. The Sangai, found only in Loktak, embodies both the pride and the struggles of Manipur. As observed, “places of great beauty often witness conflict.” Singh explores this paradox, highlighting how Manipur’s landscape bears the weight of both natural beauty and human conflict.
The audience entry is open-to-all on ‘first come, first served’ basis.
The programme schedule for the Pre-event is as follows: