| crossroads: |
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beauty, body, communication, myth, nature, ritual |
| genre (subgenre): |
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Performing Arts (dance / Chhau, dance / choreography, dance / modern, martial arts)
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| region: |
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Asia, Southern and Central |
| country/territory: |
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India |
| related artists: |
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Devissaro |
| created on: |
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July 4, 2003 |
| last changed on: |
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October 11, 2005 |
| information provided by: |
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DCCD |
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© Devissaro
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| Author: Karin Bergquist |
| culturebase@dccd.dk |
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| The gutsy and dynamic dancer Daksha Sheth started her carreer within the traditional dance. During 18 years, she was a traditional dancer, and as such she was making a living and doing well. But Daksha Seth wanted to switch over to contemporary dance - and worked hard for many years to break through in this field. |
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Beat, grace and enjoyment. The main elements of Indian Daksha Sheth's dance performances are picked both from tradition and modern time. She has kept elements from the traditional dance but combined them with modern music, clothes and movements in an often shocking way.
Daksha Sheth adapts electric guitar music to the old Kathak footwork devoted with ankle bells and gracious arm movements. She combines classical Indian Martial arts, yoga, Kathak and Chhau dance techniques.
Daksha Sheth - famous as one of India's most prominent dancers - has a dance studio in New Delhi which symbolises for the modern Indian dance what Merce Cunningham is for modern dance in the Western world. Here, traditional techniques are given new energy and new expressions in a way which attracts a row of the best dancers in the country.
Daksha Sheth herself is one of the most sought-after teachers in both classical techniques and new Indian dance.
All works mentioned below have been created in
collaboration between Daksha and Devissaro, with Daksha as choreographer and Devissaro as director, designer (lights and sets) and music composer.
About 'Sarpagati'
In her current performance 'Sarpagati', Daksha Sheth leads her public through a visual and physical dance language to a fascinating universe - a powerful dance-theatre work which has become a landmark in contemporary Indian dance. The production is designed for performance in "black boxes" and small theatre places.
Inspired by the significance of snake worship in Indian culture, especially in the South, 'Sarpagati' draws upon rituals, myths, symbolism associated with the snake.
In popular belief the snake is associated with wealth, fertility and power. In tantric symbolism, the snake represents the primal creative energy or Kundalini, which lies dormant in the space of the spine, which, when aroused, ascends and activates the chakras of the subtle body.
'Sarpagati' specifically deals with the manifestation of this energy in relation to the lower three ackras, representing the elements of Earth, Water and Fire. These relate to three fundamental drives of all species, which form the basis of survival - the drive to accumulate, to procreate and to dominate.
* Earth represents the drive for the material accumulation, ranging form the need to meet the basic physical necessities of life (food, clothing and shelter) to the acquisition of vast wealth and possessions.
* Water represents sensuality and sexuality, the drive to perpetuate the species or the individual genetic makeup through procreation.
* Fire represents power, the drive to ensure survival by domination, as well as the territorial instinct.
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Daksha Sheth danced tradtional dance for 18 years, before changing to modern dance.
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(Production / Performance, 2005)
With artistic collaboration of Devissaro
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(Production / Performance, 2002)
Sarpagati is a powerful dance-theatre work, that has become a landmark in comtemporary Indian dance. The production is designed for performance in "black boxes" and small theatre places.
Inspired by the significance of snake worship in Indian culture, especially in the South, Sarpagati draws upon rituals, myths, symbolism associated with the snake. In popular belief the snake is associated with wealth, fertility and power.
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(Production / Performance, 2000)
BhuKham is a tribute to all those who in every walk of life dare to make a difference.
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(Production / Performance, 1997)
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(Production / Performance, 1994)
Deals with the dilemma of Asian youth raised in the west, caught between two cultures
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(Production / Performance, 1992)
The performance is based on the ground elements of life - water and fire
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The Images of Asia festival of arts and culture takes place 8 August - 26 September 2003 in Copenhagen, Århus, Odense, Randers, Skive, Vordingborg, Roskilde, Esbjerg, the County of Ribe, and a number of other cities in Denmark. The festival's aim is to balance the Danish concept of contemporary Asia and to strengthen collaboration between Denmark and Asia.
Danish Center for Culture and Development (DCCD) has the overall responsibility for the nationwide Images of Asia festival. It is organized and produced in broad partnership between governmental bodies, NGOs, cultural and educational institutions, associations, municipalities, counties, media, and individuals in Denmark and internationally.
Images of Asia enjoys the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Denmark. |
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| http://www.dakshasheth.com |
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