Celestial Rhythms: Celebrating Classical Dance in Shimla
A classical dance evening titled ‘Celestial Rhythms’ was held at Shimla’s iconic Gaiety Theatre to promote the rich heritage of classical dance. The event was organized by a local Kathak academy in collaboration with the state government’s Department of Language, Art, and Culture.
The event featured dancers ranging in age from 4 to 55 years, showcasing the inclusive spirit of the celebration. Manisha Kapoor, one of the participants, highlighted the significance of Kathak, stating, ‘This word ‘Kathak’ is derived from ‘Katha’ (story). It’s not just for Hindus; it’s a dance form that connects Hindus and Muslims.’
Eight-year-old Ananya expressed her joy at being part of the event, emphasizing the need to focus more on teaching classical dance forms in Shimla. Poonam Sharma, a Kathak teacher for 34 years, spoke about the importance of balancing traditional and modern dance forms, stating, ‘While Western culture is gaining attention, it’s important to promote classical dance to keep our heritage alive.’
The evening saw over 75 students from the YWCA Kathak Dance Academy and local women performing pure classical dances. The event underscored the need to provide platforms for classical dancers to thrive amidst the rising popularity of modern dance.
Doubts Revealed
Celestial Rhythms -: Celestial Rhythms is the name of the dance event. ‘Celestial’ means something related to the sky or heavens, and ‘Rhythms’ means patterns of sounds or movements.
Classical Dance -: Classical dance refers to traditional dance forms that have been practiced for many years in India, like Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and Odissi.
Shimla -: Shimla is a beautiful hill station and the capital city of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
Gaiety Theatre -: Gaiety Theatre is a famous old theatre in Shimla where many cultural events and performances take place.
Kathak -: Kathak is a classical dance form from North India that tells stories through dance, music, and facial expressions.
Department of Language, Art, and Culture -: This is a part of the state government that works to promote and preserve the local language, art, and culture.
Manisha Kapoor -: Manisha Kapoor is one of the participants in the dance event. She is a dancer who performed at the event.
Poonam Sharma -: Poonam Sharma is another participant in the dance event. She also performed and talked about the importance of cultural heritage.
Cultural Heritage -: Cultural heritage means the traditions, customs, and practices that are passed down from one generation to another.