Unfurling Indian culture in Chicago

Collisions brings together dance exponents Shirley Mordine (Western contemporary dance), Hema Rajagopalan (Bharatanatyam) and Astad Deboo (Indian contemporary dance), where each will discuss their process and history within their distinct art forms, share performances of their dances and lead movement exercises so the audience can experience three unique movement vocabularies. “Collisions is the intersecting of diversity in different genres whether it be people, cultures, styles, generations, ideas etc,” begins Hema Rajagopalan, a Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher and choreographer of international reputation. 

As part of Collisions, which will be held at Spaces on March 23 at 6 pm, Hema will be presenting a duet titled Sahridaya, a collaborative work with Shirley. She will also be discussing other works by showcasing videos. Hema will be in conversation discussing parallels and contrasts between Bharatanatyam, and contemporary and western contemporary dance forms. “Each style of dance has its own flavour. I feel dance is an expression of the artist’s feelings. When expressed in a style which is so finely developed, which means it has gone through many years of becoming what it is and is rooted in the ancient text the Natya Sastra, Bharatanatyam is a fine art that can be contemporary. We can call it classical because it has a rich tradition of continuity. The western contemporary dance in my opinion is contemporary because it probably does not have those parameters which define Bharatanatyam. It is more exploratory and free in its expression. Our movement vocabularies although inventive and infused with fresh energy, they are still bordered by certain identities. Abhinaya or the art of histrionic expression is a very important aspect and is an integral part of the dance, where as in western contemporary dance Abhinaya is absent,” she explains. 

Speaking about the other artists who will be joining hands with her at the event, she says, “I have collaborated with Shirley and what inspires me is her choreography, which is abstract and has fluid movements which are expressive. As for Astad’s work, its meditative quality inspires me. I am hoping to learn more about his work during the workshops. And performing in Chennai is special. The audience here means a lot to me because they have been exposed to a lot and the best of classical dance and they understand the essence of it.” 

Her gurus are some of the foremost figures in Bharatanatyam — Padma Shri KN Dandayudapani Pillai and Padma Bhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan, one of the world’s greatest exponents of Abhinaya. Originally from Chennai, Hema moved to Chicago in 1974. With a Master’s degree in nutrition, she chose to quit dancing and work as a dietician in the city. But, her passion for Bharatanatyam won over. 

Like most Indian Diaspora dancers who moved to America, Hema too started teaching to children of NRIs. What started as a small dance class in her living room is today a critically acclaimed and leading dance company, Natya Dance Theatre (NDT). For her efforts, Hema has received a string of awards: Emmy award for the PBS production of World Stage Chicago, seven National Endowment for the Arts Choreography Awards, highest ever received by any American choreographer. And in wake of it in India, she won Vishwa Kala Bharati award in Chennai. 

Commenting on the adulation and acceptance the dance form enjoys among the Americans and how has it changed over the years, she says, “Over the years the appreciation for Indian dance has been on the rise. Audiences are very intrigued by the narratives Bharatanatyam uses. The codified mudras or hand gestures sometimes do pose a problem in understanding, but good programme notes or voice overs do help.”