Bharatanatyam to meet ballet

Our city is soon going to bear witness to a one-of-its- kind event that will break down the borders of dance forms, bringing nations closer by a fusion of arts. ‘Jaya Smriti’, a dance event that is held yearly as a tribute to actor Hema Malini’s late mother, Jaya Chakravarthy, will be coming to Chennai this year, while acting as a platform that encourages young talent and showcases them to the world.

Bringing dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Pungcholom and Kuchipudi on the same stage as Georgian ballet, this show will have the contemporary meeting the traditional, with the elegance and grace that Hema Malini’s dance style is known for. Reema Thakkar Tiwari, an event planner, instrumental in getting the event to Chennai, says, “The event is aimed at giving opportunities to youth in the arts and culture space. This year, Hema Malini ji wanted to take it to a bigger scale and hence, will be having the show across the country. She is herself working on an hour-long choreography for the event. There are over 40 dancers flying in from Georgia to accompany 20 other Indian dancers, from Chennai and across the country for the event.”

The performers will be presenting the fusion dance act, along with Hema Malini. “This is going to be one of the biggest shows in Chennai’s history. We are going to be inviting the likes of Rajinikanth to grace the event,” Reema adds.

(Jaya Smriti will be presented in Chennai on September 17, at Lady Andal Auditorium.)