Facets of Indian Culture

We are pleased to welcome Layavinyasa back to the CMCH to share Facets of Indian Culture, an exciting opportunity for all ages to experience Kuchipudi dance, and learn more about the cultural values and beliefs that permeate this art form.

Kuchipudi is a south Indian classical dance form accompanied by Carnatic music. Dancers dramatically interpret songs with spiritual themes, utilizing many symbolic gestures and rhythmic movements to embody the mythic figures of the songs. To further illustrate and explain the meanings that are part of the performances, Layavinyasa will also showcase Indian material culture including figures and paintings that contain the same symbolic elements, and which will help show the spiritual themes of the lyrics, as well as illustrate community festivities.

The program will showcase figures such as Nataraja, which is the Hindu god Shiva in his form as the cosmic dancer. He holds an hourglass-shaped drum in his upper right hand, which in dance is depicted with a “damaru” hand gesture, both symbolic of rhythm and time. A cobra uncoils from his right forearm, while his palm shows the “abhaya” gesture, which means to not fear evil.

The program will also feature the Dandiya Raas, a popular communal dance performed during Navrathri Festival, another type of portrayal of cosmic dance, this time depicting Lord Krishna and friends, and the cycle of time, birth, life, death, and rebirth.

The program is partly funded by CT Humanities, and will be offered free to the public. There will be a Question and Answer session after the program. We hope to see you there!