South Asian Dance Show Dazzles Lowell

Twelve students crisscrossed the Indian subcontinent Friday night, as they turned a well-attended Lowell Lecture Hall into a showcase of classical dances from throughout the region.

The Harvard South Asian Association’s “Classical Imaginations” show featured 11 dances, with roots ranging from traditional religion and storytelling to drama.

Nine Harvard dancers made up the bulk of the company, which has been practicing since early September, producer and Association Co-President Vinod E. Nambudiri ’05 said.

The dances were choreographed by the students, many of whom have been training in classical Indian dance for most of their lives.

Jessica M. Marglin ’06 has been studying the “Odissi” form of dance for 15 years, performing throughout New England and Japan. In 2001, Marglin traveled to India to study with a guru there.

Friday’s show opened with a piece performed by Suratha Elango ’06 and Manisha Munshi ’06, which Nambudiri explained was intended to awaken the audience to the traditions of Indian Classical Dance with an invocation.

Other dances fell under one of four traditional dance forms—with origins ranging from southern to northern India. Dancers also performed a pair of modern “fusion” pieces, uniting classical dance with ballet in one case, and a techno beat in the other.

Ballerina Anar D. Shah ’06 said that she was excited to be able to contribute her talents to the culturally-oriented concert.

“For me to be able to perform ballet in a show like this has been wonderful, because I have been able to fuse an art form that I love with my cultural roots,” Shah said.

Nambudiri said that the main purpose of the production was to showcase the exceptional talents of the students and the beauty of classical dance. He said this was the first such show in three years.

The Harvard South Asian Association also worked with South Asian groups from other schools to attract an audience beyond Harvard’s gates.

Abraham M. Koshy, a junior at Northeastern, said that he enjoyed the show.

“I thought it was wonderfully done,” he said. “It’s good to see South Asian culture represented on other campuses as well.”

Kyle R. McCarthy ’06 said that she was dazzled by the colorful costumes, distinctive movements and fast spins.

“I think it’s hot that so many people have studied Indian classical dance for so many years,” she said. “And their faces are so expressive.”