The Stage

Mirage

Published Monday 30 October 2006 at 17:10 by Kevin Berry

Here is something not to be missed. Nina Rajanari, the classic Indian dancer and this year’s winner of the Place Prize for choreography, is on tour with her company Srishtri.

Titled Mirage, the tour programme comprises two new works but at the Beverley venue the supporting piece, Bawren Tavaziva’s Checkers, was left out. This was to include a sequence of traditional Bharatanatyam dancing for the Diwali Festival celebrations.

Nina introduces her own piece Is It Love? Not a matter of fact introduction but a gently emotive description with sweetly spoken lines such as “My heart’s alleyways are so lonely”. What follows is enchanting, spellbinding and increasingly thrilling.

The story begins with Nina as a shy girl thinking about her absent lover. She is sitting with the esteemed singer/musician/composer Y Yadanvan facing her. He sings throughout this half-hour piece and his musicians provide wave upon wave of foot stamping percussion.

Nina weaves pure, intricate patterns with her fingers. Her expressions are elusive and her eyes sparkle knowingly. Up on her feet she moves briskly yet with sublime poise and consummate grace. Four male dancers match her complex rhythms and create complementary geometric forms. Whatever she is thinking and feeling is extended and emphasised by them.

Next comes an unexpected bonus. Nina announces Chemistry, a new duet about a boy and the girl-next-door and how they overcome their first quarrel. It bristles with emotion and is danced with sharp, unrelenting energy.

Catch this company and prepare to be astonished.