View from the Desert
"Rhythm of Rajasthan"
Peter Norton Symphony Space
New York, NY
January 14, 2011
The World Music Institute, an organization devoted to presenting traditional music and dance from around the world, sponsored a visit by folk singers (and one dancer) from the area of Rajasthan. The very interesting program notes explained that western Rajasthan is probably where the gypsies originated, and it was very interesting to note the connections. There was a gracious, informal feel to the evening, as the four musicians sat on a dias, and seemed to sing and play spontaneously. The songs had a plaintive, keening edge, even when the infectious music was at its most rhythmic--many in the audience didn't resist the urge to clap along, reinforcing the campfire feel.
There were two dances, both performed by Suva Devi, an absolutely enchanting performer. The first, the Bhavai dance, has the dancer doing various tricks (balancing on the blunt end of a sword, hopping on a pair of upturned glasses, and skipping around in a pie plate--not all at once) while carrying a pile of pots on her head (I counted seven); all these competitive tricks were danced through without looking gymnastic. Petipa must have been familiar with this dance when he choreographed "La Bayadere", for there are clear echoes of this in the charming Danse Manu, where a dancer, accompanied by two young girls, balances a pot on her head--obviously Petipa made some concessions to Western abilities!
The second dance was the Kalbeliya Dance, a spinning dance which, according to the notes, was used to charm snakes. It certainly charmed me, with the colorful costume, and the swaying, sensuous movements, combined with some unique feats--at one point the dancer did a back bend and picked up two rings with her eyes, something I don't expect to see soon. Unless New York is lucky enough to host this gorgeous dancer again.
copyright © 2011 by Mary Cargill
