After celebrating multiple classical forms from across the country, the Nakshatra Dance Festival (NDF) is now an anticipated annual event on the city’s culture calendar. Now, in their sixth edition, they have more in store for the audience than just dance recitals.
This year, a special exhibition showcasing costumes and accessories employed in the Kerala-based performing arts will also be on offer.
Curated by dancers Mandakini Trivedi and Kalamandalam Piyal Bhattacharya, the exhibition titled Nepathya, will trace the costume tradition of 17th century performing arts — Kathakali and Mohiniattam.
Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, head of programming of dance, NCPA, says, “Since we have been garnering an overwhelming response every year, we tried to better it by adding a special element. This is the first time that we are hosting an exhibition of Kathakali costumes and the elaborate make-up used. It will give people an idea of what goes into a performance in terms of appearance.”
On display will be different kinds of jewellery and heavy attires. One can also check out masks painted on clay pots — green and yellow bases are used for the male and female protagonists respectively, while red and black bases are used for male and female demons.
{{/usCountry}}On display will be different kinds of jewellery and heavy attires. One can also check out masks painted on clay pots — green and yellow bases are used for the male and female protagonists respectively, while red and black bases are used for male and female demons.
{{/usCountry}}“The festival also explores themes of mysticism through acts by exponents like CV Chandrasekhar and Vaibhav Arekar, Sharmila Biswas and Trivedi and Bhattacharya,” says Dasgupta. Bharatanatayam performers can learn the intricacies of the dance form at a workshop.
The festival will be held from September 19 to 26, at the NCPA, Nariman Point, from 11 am.