Bay Area dancers Pooja Khandelwal and Sriyanka Sundar showcased the distinct Indian classical traditions of Kathak and Bharatanatyam in a compelling performance titled ‘Ekatva’ during the Eka Dance Festival.
DANVILLE, CA – On September 20, Bay Area Kathak dancer Pooja Khandelwal and Bharatanatyam dancer Sriyanka Sundar brought two rich Indian classical traditions into a rhythmic dialogue with their performance titled ‘Ekatva: A Kathak–Bharatanatyam Samvaad.’ This event was part of the Eka Dance Festival, which celebrates solo classical dancers and emerging artists from across the United States.
The festival was curated by Kalpavrukshaa Creations, founded by Durga Swaminathan, and Shanmukha Theatres, led by Artistic Director Ryan Nathan. The focus of ‘Ekatva,’ which translates to “oneness,” was not to merge the two dance forms into a single expression but rather to highlight their individuality while exploring their connections through rhythm, expression, and storytelling.
The evening commenced with a performance of Ardhanarishwara, an iconic representation of the divine union of Shiva and Shakti. This piece allowed the contrasting movement languages of Kathak and Bharatanatyam to explore the coexistence of two energies within a unified whole.
The dialogue between the two forms continued with ‘Taal Samvaad,’ where rhythmic phrases were exchanged between Khandelwal and Sundar through intricate footwork, movement, and gesture. At times, one dancer responded to the other, while at other moments, they moved in unison. The intricate footwork and rhythmic compositions of Kathak met the distinctive patterns and geometry of Bharatanatyam, creating a vibrant exchange that preserved the uniqueness of each tradition.
The rhythmic conversation intensified during a ‘Paran,’ a powerful Kathak composition built around syllables traditionally associated with the pakhawaj. The dynamic movement and footwork propelled the dancers toward a ‘tihai,’ a phrase that is repeated three times before resolving on ‘sam,’ the first beat of the rhythmic cycle.
Khandelwal, a disciple of Sayali Goswami and Pandita Uma Dogra, emphasized the blending of different artistic lineages throughout the performance. Sundar, who trained under Durga Swaminathan, brought her Bharatanatyam expertise into the collaborative exchange.
The performance was further enriched by the accompaniment of two young musicians. Tabla artist Adhira Ganesh, a disciple of Ganesh Betageri and Pt. Keshav Joshi, and mridangam artist Siddharth Nair, a disciple of Sri Cherthala Jaydev, contributed significantly to the rhythmic dialogue.
Through ‘Ekatva,’ Khandelwal and Sundar not only showcased their technical prowess but also celebrated the beauty of two distinct dance forms, inviting the audience to appreciate the nuances of Kathak and Bharatanatyam in a shared artistic experience.
According to India-West, the evening was a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Indian classical dance and the potential for dialogue between different traditions.