GENERAL AUDIENCE TOURING PROGRAM

Contemporary Dance Program 2009 – 2011

• Agni Ratha (Fiery Chariot) – 20 min.
• RIAZ (practice) – 20 min.
• Parashakti – (Primordial Energy) – 25 min.
• Shapes and Rhythms – 20 min.

Agni Ratha (Fiery Chariot) – 2009 (20 minutes)
Choreographer: Menaka Thakkar

A contemporary production, “Agni Ratha/Fiery Chariot” based on Vedic literature and the concept of the Sun which is visualized by a Chariot driven by seven horses which constitute the white light that splinters into different shades of colours and grades of energy. The piece will consist of 8 dancers, both male and female and will use the various dance forms of bharatatyam, kalariapayattu and modern.

RIAZ (practice) – 2007 (20 minutes)

Choreographer: Natasha Bakht
A brilliant group choreography by one of Canada’s foremost Indian soloist dancers, Natasha Bakht. Bakht who is a former member of the Menaka Thakkar Dance Company developed the choreography especially for the company. Riaz is an original creation that takes classical Bharatnatyam movements and gives them the modern twist that is Bakht’s individual style.

Parashakti – Primordial Energy – Remounted 2007 (25 minutes)

Choreographer: Menaka Thakkar
Parashakti is a contemporary Bharatnatyam dance that deals with the cycle of Creation, Sustenance, and Destruction. It portrays the evolution of creative energy through various stages: first, the pre-creation primordial self-absorption or self-involvement; second, the impulse to create bursting forth in an amorphous self-abandon of joyous expansion; then a self-regulating movement of order, harmony, beauty, and balance giving rise to well ordered creation; finally there is loss of balance and a falling off centre through uncontrollably rising tempo of activities and self-exploding dynamism that leads to inevitable destruction. The piece ends where it began: in the self-absorption of the Creative Energy as in the primordial pre-creation stage. The cycle is now complete. This production was presented in 2005 for Tsunami relief because of its message of birth, death and rebirth and was on tour in 2006.

Shapes and Rhythms – Remounted 2006 (20 minutes)
Choregrapher: Menaka Thakkar

This delightful modern fusion choreography combines Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Ballet and other dance forms. Originally created during a residency with the National Ballet of Canada with Toronto composer Ron Allen.

Children’s Touring Program

Wise Monkey Foolish Crocodile

This timeless classic from India’s “Panchatantra Tales” depicts a husband and wife crocodile and their relationship with their friend the monkey. The setting is a mythical forest where animals play. The story centers on a monkey and a crocodile who are friends until one day their friendship is challenged. The fable’s central moral teaches us to choose our friends wisely. The dance drama itself illustrates several classical Indian dance styles and involves nine dancers and the storyteller who interacts with the audience.

Length: 45 minutes, 15 minute Q & A

Pre and Post Performance Workshops and Residencies

Menaka Thakkar conducts an annual residency at Canada’s National Ballet School

Workshops:
Introduction to Indian Dance – Prerequisite: body training – Menaka Thakkar will conduct a workshop in Indian dance teaching the basic elements of Indian dance. 1 hour.

Residency:
Menaka Thakkar can offer a 10 hour residency in Indian dance that teaches the basic elements of Indian dance, mudras (hand gestures) and dance steps. By the end of the residency, students will create their dance choreography. This type of residency is often offered to students of other forms of dance such as ballet or modern. The residency takes place over a one week period.

For Touring and Block Booking Information please contact:
Karen Dempster, Director of Development
905-763-6083, ext.22