Arjuna Dibiasakti
AN EXCITING COLLABORATIVE DANCE DRAMA OF BALINESE CLASSICAL LEGONG AND INDIAN CLASSICAL BHARATANATYAM — In the words of the maestro,
Dr Bulantrisna Djelantik (the late Leader, AyuBulan Dance)
It all started in the year 2015, with the invitation of Mrs. Neeru Singh, wife of HE Ambassador of India to Indonesia, Mr. Gurjit Singh at the time. We had lunch at her beautiful residence in Jakarta and came to know each other. Then, with Mrs. Neeru’s support, we started discussing and planning for the Indian Independence Day Celebration in Jakarta on August 15th, 2015 and came to the idea of performing together a Dance Drama, “Arjuna Dibiasakti”. It was a beautiful and exciting journey thereafter, not only in combining dance with intensive training and performing, but also through a warm friendship and togetherness between the Ayu Bulan Dance Troupe members and Sindhu’s Bharatanatyam students.
We learned from each other, laughed together, and had journeys together, first for the World Dance Day in Solo in April 2016, and after that a charity performance for the JARI Foundation in Bandung, in May 2016. We visited each other’s performances and other events.
I feel enriched by learning about the philosophy and discipline of the beautiful and graceful Bharatanatyam Dance. We discussed similarities and differences… we processed movements and forms together. Some senior Legong dancers are now learning Bharatanatyam dance too, and creating new choreographies together, which we will see at this event.
I feel so blessed to have this opportunity, and so honored to be regarded as Sindhu’s Indonesian Guru, a new experience I have never dreamed of. As we both are busy with family life, and as dancers and dance teachers, still we find time come together regularly and exchange our experiences, dreams, and plans… together with other members of our groups. These precious moments of togetherness will always stay in our heart wherever we are. The journey is not over yet, we still have ideas for further collaboration in the near future.
Thulasidhara
Vijayadasami is one of the most auspicious festivals celebrated all over India with such fervor and devotion. It celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. For artists, it is yet another day to feel thankful for the gift of dance that we have received.
Our annual Vijayadasami celebrations are called Thulasidhara for a very special reason. My bharatanatyam guru, [Late] Shri. Thulasiram, was and will forever remain a guiding force for me. Cherishing his memories by passing on this passion for classical dance among my students is for me the most important duty and we celebrate together with classical performances by my students and myself on the auspicious day of Vijayadasami.
The word ‘dhara’ in Sanskrit also means ‘to flow’ and so the word Thulasidhara has become synonymous with the art that is flowing through to the next generation! Setting myself this goal to work harder each year towards Vijayadasami and paying tribute to our gurus has given immense strength to me.
Mahamaithri
CELEBRATING THE GREAT FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN TWO CULTURES, TWO NATIONS, AND TWO DANCE FORMS
