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New Straits Times

#SHOWBIZ: Indian classical rhythms to grace DFP stage

FRESH from its presentations of Mek Mulung Putera Cahaya Bulan, Randai Mudo Pak Belalang, Jit Sin High School's Chinese Orchestra and Sanggar Seni last year, Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) will present soul-stirring rhythms and colours of Indian performing arts by the Temple of Fine Arts (TFA) at 8pm on Sept 6. The highly anticipated showcase promises an immersive journey into the heart of Indian culture. MELODIES Audiences will be transported to a unique experience through the soulful melodies of Hindustani and Carnatic classical music. Adding a vibrant visual splendour to the evening, the DFP stage will come alive with exquisite presentations of four classical Indian dances, 'bharatanatyam', 'odissi', 'kathak' and 'kuchipudi'. The theme "Ragas and Mudras" is specially curated for this performance at DFP. FRAMEWORK 'Ragas' is essentially a melodic framework or a "mode" in Indian classical music, a combination of notes ('swaras') along with phrases and nuances ('gamakas'). 'Mudras' is a symbolic ritual gesture, primarily performed with the hands, fingers, the entire body or even eye movements. The word 'mudra' is a Sanskrit word which means 'mark' or 'gesture'. YOUTH Founded in 1981, TFA is an organisation dedicated to the development and inculcating Indian arts and culture among the youth. It has presented more than 20 major productions and 300 short works, including explorations of different cultural themes. TFA has staged its productions in tours around the world, including Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. It has also received recognition and support from the government, and has performed at many major official events, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit and the Commonwealth Cultural Festival, all in 1998. It has also won many accolades at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. GRATEFUL The special performance by TFA is part of the DFP Seni Festival extravaganza which includes Mistik Pura Masyrik (a performance of enticing East Coast legendary folktales on Aug 9) and Sanggar Seni (a collection of music, dance and songs at the DFP foyer presented free from Sept 5 to 7). In a recent interview, the show's music director, Prakash Kandasamy, said: "We are very grateful to DFP for bringing our dancers and musicians centrestage. "Our show has two parts for classical music and dance, each section is 45 minutes." Prakash added that the four dance styles were taught in TFA, and each will have 20 dancers. "All students learn different things and do not confine themselves to one genre." MPYO The TFA musicians are aged from 20 to 55, and the dancers are aged from 18 to 35. Prakash said TFA first performed in DFP in 2012 with the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra or MPYO. "We've got 20 musicians and dancers, and they are all rehearsing daily." VOCALISTS Music director Jyotsna Nithyanandan said: "The DFP is greatly helping promote our work and we are delighted to perform in this state-of-the-art venue." She added that there will be six musical instruments in the showcase, as well as two main solo vocalists and five supporting vocalists. "They will show audiences the beauty of Indian classical music and dance, in ensemble and solo acts." Jyotsna said one of the less-known but stylishly beautiful classical instruments featured was the 'veena', a traditional string instrument. "All of us have had a lot of fun working on this and discovering new things to perform," she said, adding that there will also be a piano accompaniment to give the concert a modern touch. VIBRANT One of the main dancers, Kishore Krishnan, said each item was 10 minutes long, and there will be six to 10 dances. "What we teach is what is presented, and it will be a vibrant and colourful evening," he said. "Best of all, our performances are Malaysianised, combining Indian cultural elements with Malay and Chinese ones." MALAYSIA DAY DFP head of business and strategic relations management Effendy Khalid said it was an honour to have the TFA perform in DFP. "We focus on culture and heritage including cross cultural performances. "It is our aim to give a platform for such performances, especially in September, the month of Malaysia Day," he said, adding that the concert hall could accommodate 920 people.