Sudha Seetharaman,
shown here representing a strutting peacock, will perform Bharatanatyam,
an Indian classical dance form, as part of a program called "Three
Dancers," to be held at the Brooklyn Music School next weekend.
Seetharaman, a Fort Greene resident, heads up the 6-year-old
Trilok Fusion Arts, the producer of the show. She explains that
Bharatanatyam is a dance form "from the south of India.
It dates back to the 2nd century BC and at that time was performed
inside a temple. Now of course it’s out everywhere."
"It’s a very geometrical, symmetrical, very patterned –
but not stiff – dance," Seetharaman said, explaining how
it’s different from other types of Indian dance. "It’s more
about form and position and balance with the Earth."
Also performing are Sadhana Paranji, demonstrating an exaggerated
style of dancing also from southern India called Kuchipudi, and
Shila Mehta, who is arriving from Mumbai, India, to perform a
style called Kathak, notable for its subtle hand movements and
fancy footwork, according to Seetharaman. The performance will
be set to live music performed by an Indian classical music ensemble.
"Three Dancers" will be performed at the Brooklyn Music
School (126 St. Felix St., auditorium,) July 20 at 8 pm and July
21 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $17 or $23 for performance and the
Indian classical dance workshop on July 22 at 3 pm. Call Trilok
Fusion Arts at (718) 797-4024 for more information or visit www.trilokfusion.com.