To spread awareness on the need to prevent water pollution, Red Feet Dance Studio, Chandrakalabhoomi and Matsya Seafaring, a social enterprise focusing on marine and coastal conservation, opted for an unconventional path. They chose music and dance as their medium to highlight the preciousness of oceans at the Gandhi Thidal on Beach Road in Puducherry.
The cultural event was preceded by an awareness exhibition on the theme ‘For Our Blue Earth’ which showcased marine pollution. It was held by Jeremy Carroll of Matsya Seafaring. Later in the evening, locals and tourists gathered at the venue for a cultural soiree dedicated to water as well as celebrating the classical music of India.
Artistes performing at the event 'Dancing Water', organised by Red Feet Dance Studio and Matsya Seafaring, at Gandhi Thidal in Puducherry.
“Our intent behind this event is to share our work, to protect our blue earth and to celebrate creativity,” said Poojarini Chowdhury, Director, Red Feet Dance Studio, before the four artists performed ‘Dancing Water’ — a dance recital on the theme of water is life and ‘Dancing Ragas’ — a dance expression on Carnatic and Hindustani classical music.
The first dance to be performed was a harvest dance, an Egyptian rural folk song, while the second was an expression of the arrival of monsoon, composed and sung by Assamese artist, Papon. Following this, a Carnatic dance recital about the fragrance of the earth was performed.
The last song and dance, ‘The first rains’ by Sreevalsan Menon, were dedicated to the disappearing rivers. “In Dancing Ragas, the dance recital is an ode and a humble attempt to express the classical styles but with a pinch of the modern and truthful feel. It is a great honour for us to dance on such musical pieces composed and performed by pandits and maestros of our times,” Ms. Chowdhury said.
