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Swarupa: Infinite Form (2011)

SUMMARY

Through the poetic movement and storytelling of the Indian Classical Dance form of Bharatanatyam, we encounter the dynamic forms of Shiva – from his dance of bliss to his dance of anger and destruction, to the love, longing, desire, and devotion felt by all those who seek him. Swarupa is an evening-length work that presents a suite of solos, duets and dynamic group pieces that speak of the all-mighty dance of Shiva – and the fear, joy and love that he manifests through his dance. The result is a richly evocative and soulful experience of classical music and dance.

Running Time: 100 Minutes With Intermission | 5-6 Dancers | Live Orchestra or Studio Recorded Music

VIDEOS

Swarupa is an evening-length work that presents a suite of solos, duets and dynamic group pieces that speak of the all-mighty dance of Shiva.

Swarupa is an evening-length work that presents a suite of solos, duets and dynamic group pieces that speak of the all-mighty dance of Shiva – and the fear, joy and love that he manifests through his dance. The result is a richly evocative and soulful experience of classical music and dance.

The video was taken at the Sun to Stars Festival in NYC in 2012

DETAILS

Premiered NYC International Fringe Festival August 2011
Concept and Choreography:
 Sonali Skandan

Dancers:
Poulomi Das, Njideka Emenogu, Maya Kappil, Juby Kuriakose, Sonali Skandan, Umesh Venkatesan

Music:
Akshara Music Ensemble and Classical Bharatanatyam soundtrack

Lighting Design:
Amanda Sevedge

Sound:
Amanda Sevedge

Stage Manager:
Chantel George

Production Manager:
Supriya Das

Sound Assistant:
Bala Skandan

Costume Design:
Sonali Skandan

Project Support:
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, New York State Council on the Arts

REVIEWS

“Life After Fringe: Two Dance Companies to Watch “Two of this year’s most impressive pieces came from companies specializing in narrative dance, and their energy, discipline and passion bodes well for the future. Choreographer Sonali Skandan pays close attention to the details (wherein God resides, according to the old adage). Small, subtle movements are as much a part of the story as the large angular and sinuous shapes created by colorfully clad limbs in motion. Eye gestures, smiles of irony, and wistful tilts of the head make the movements of the cosmos visible on a human scale.”

Ethan Kanfer, California Literary Review

“In ‘Swarupa: Infinite Form,’ the Indian dancer Sonali Skandan rises above the pull-and-tug of history…Skandan and her dancers are never less than correct.”

Robert Johnson, NJ Star Ledger

“Skandan’s sharp control and stunning speed culminate in ecstasy….Skandan’s choreography here has a follow-through of motion that is somehow natural yet tense with the pull of mystery.”

nytheatre.com

“The choreography – full of statuesque balances and sharp lines formed by the arms – was attractively modest and had simple but powerful geometries..”

Ryan Wenzel, dacnetabs.com

“It is this devotional aspect of Indian dance that latter-day choreographers tend to emphasise, as did American Bharata Natyam practitioner Sonali Skandan with a section of Swarupa: Infinite Form, a meditative ensemble piece less to do with the gods than with our worship of them.”

Appolinaire Scherr, The Financial Times

“The ensemble performed three works, of which the most vivid was perhaps Shadjam, a vignette that depicted a group of girls preparing for a visit by Shiva, in his lover-man guise. As they combed each other’s hair and praised each other’s beauty (in mime), I could see the next group preparing in a tent off-stage, busy with similar tasks. For a moment, art intermingled with life.”

Marina Harss, thefastertimes.com

GALLERY