(Vishen Kemraj, Madala Kunene & Manesh
Maharaj. Pic by Val Adamson)
A breathtaking,
magical and, almost ethereal experience. (Review by Keith Millar)
Bringing the
curtain down on the Playhouse Company’s 2015 new Stages season was the remarkable,
award winning dance production, Bhakti.
Not being very
well-versed in the art of dance, I was a little nervous at the prospect of
having to pass comment on a performance of this work. However, I needn’t have
worried because quite frankly I was blown away by this exciting production.
It was a breathtaking,
magical and, almost ethereal experience.
Bhakti is a passionate inter-cultural fusion of contemporary and Indian
classical dance supported by unique soul- stirring music, film projections and
the spoken word. Originally created in 2010 by renowned choreographer Lliane
Loots, it went on to win a coveted Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival
a year later.
The latest
incarnation of Bhakti which was seen
at the New Stages season at the Playhouse was performed by attractive, graceful
and very skilled dancers from Flatfoot Dance Company and the Playhouse Dance
Residency. They were joined by four of Durban’s most eminent and gifted Indian
classical dancers in Manesh Maharaj, Priyen Naidoo, Aarti Narotam and Sivani
Chinappan.
Together they interweave
their contrasting cultures into a mesmerising display of movement, rhythmic
action, gestures, patterns and emotion. It’s fast-paced, relentless and completely
mesmerising dance, which elicited several spontaneous outbreaks of applause
from the appreciative audience.
Providing the music
for the production was an unusual combination of instruments. Constructing
intricate rhythms on the tablas was the impressive Vishen Kemraj. He played
non-stop for over an hour – an impressive performance of skill and stamina.
Joining him was the legendary maskandi guitarist Madala Kunene, who must certainly
rank as one of the best in the country. Accompanying them on the djembe drum
and various other percussion instruments was Mandla Matsha.
The unique music
produced by this group was moving and spiritual, and was the perfect backdrop
for the dancers to create their magic.
Durban poet Iain
Ewok Robertson provided the spoken-word component of the programme. He
delivered the Rumi inspired poetry with all his usual exquisite rhythm and
timing.
Karen Logan’s close
up film projections of images such as hand mudras and blossoming marigolds
completed the mystical atmosphere of the production.
Bhakti, which means devotion in Sanskrit, is a memorable dance production. More
than just entertainment it is an invigorating and inspiring experience. Bhakti has been revived on a number of
occasions and hopefully this will happen again. When it does, don’t
miss it. If you aren’t a particular fan of dance, go anyway. You may end up, as
I did, a convert. – Keith Millar
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