Dance Indian style

Young Chang

Look out the dance studio window and see the modern architecture of UC

Irvine. The sign that says Bren Events Center. The green trees that make

Irvine look fake, but in a pretty way.

Look back inside and 16 dancers take you back to classical India with

the pulsating pounding of their feet against the floor. Their saris sway

with a grace that starts at the fingertips and courses through every

move.

Called “Maya Manusha,” which means “the illusive one,” students from

the Irvine-based Arpana Dance Company rehearsed Wednesday for a Sunday

performance of Bharata Natyam dance at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

“We have interspersed it with a lot of commentary,” said artistic

director Ramya Harishankar, on the performance. “I hope [audiences] will

be able to better understand the nuances of Indian poetry and philosophy,

as well as how that is communicated through the Indian style of dance.”

Bharata Natyam dance originated in South India and involves

synthesizing literature, sculpture and music to create dance.

The program will be made up of about 10 dances and explores the

character of the Hindu god Krishna. The dancers wear traditional but

somewhat modified saris. There will be live music.

Harishankar and her company will present three programs at the Barclay

-- “Maya Manusha” on Sunday, a matinee performance called “Samarpan” on

the same day, and a program titled “Woman Divine” on July 6.

Avni Patel, an 18-year-old dancer in the company and performer for

“Maya Manusha,” said Krishna is known as a playful god, often seen with

his pet cow or his flute, who loved a woman named Radha and lived a full

life.

“We illustrate this with dance,” she said.

They use two techniques: “abhinaya,” the telling of stories through

facial expressions, hand gestures and body gestures, and “nritta,” the

telling of stories through intricate footwork.

Patel has danced with the company since she was 4. She recently danced

her o7 arungetram, f7 or what one considers a graduating performance,

which is why she and 15 others are qualified to be in this weekend’s

advanced program.

“It encompasses everything about my heritage,” said Patel, a Hindu.

“I’ve learned most of the things about my religion through dance.”

Vidya Murthy, also 18 and of Irvine, said dancing Bharata Natyam

started as just a casual thing because her mother knew Harishankar. But

the art grew into a “real passion” over the years.

“It became a real part of my life,” she said.

Harishankar said the dance is rooted deeply in culture and philosophy,

even among Indian American teens here.

“There are some who come and go, and there are some who really get

connected, and it really becomes a part of their lives,” she said.

FYI

WHAT: “Maya Manusha’

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine

COST: $15-$35

CALL: (714) 740-7878