Indian dancers a stunning class act

Published 15 Feb 2012 13:34

Talented youngsters wowed the audience with a dazzling display of dance with a difference in Kilmarnock's Palace Theatre last week.

Boys and girls from schools across East Ayrshire stamped and shimmied in the best Bollywood style to both traditional Indian and modern Scottish music in Sahasra - a stunning evening of Indian dance.

Pupils in six schools - James Hamilton Academy and Hillhead, Shortlees, Newmilns, Patna and Barshare primary schools - had enjoyed a series of workshops over four weeks with Dance Ihayami, Scotland's Indian dance company. The Palace performance was put on to showcase the young people's newly acquired skills and techniques in the art .

Young people in each school created their own different dance routines. They learned how to tell stories using expressive Indian classical dance hand gestures (mudras), facial expressions and rhythmic footwork sequences.

Doing Indian moves to Scots music showed how the footwork of Indian classical dance smoothly joined with the vibrancy of modern Celtic music. Dance Ihayami's work is rooted in strong classical technique, with an edgy contemporary style.

In the second part of the show, Iyahami's own dancers put on an amazing performance, including one routine where they danced and spun on the rims of brass bowls. All three balanced lit tealights in the palms of their hands, while one carried a pitcher of water on his head. As the lights went down, the trio made a stunning spectacle on the darkened stage.

The audience - which included Councillors Kathy Morrice and John MacKay, Spokespersons for Improving Community Health and Wellbeing and Kay Gilmour, East Ayrshire Council Head of Community Support, as well as family and friends of the budding young dancers - raised the roof with their applause.

Priya Shrikumar, artistic director and founder of Dance Ihayami said: "Ihayami means 'I am here'. Because it is what I am doing - dance, I am here!"

Councillor Kathy Morrice said: "The Indian dance experience has helped raise children's activity and fitness levels - but on another level, the young people have developed their respect for others, by acknowledging diversity and understanding more about a different art form".

Councillor Hugh Ross, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: "As well as developing skills and techniques, the Dance Ihayami workshops provided opportunities for young people to learn about another culture in Scotland in a fun and positive way.

"Congratulations to all involved in putting on such a vibrant show and to the Creative Minds team for organizing this innovative cultural project".

Funding from CashBack for Communities and Creative Identities Dance Fund allowed the workshops and showcase to be free to participants.

SEE THE CHRONICLE'S FEBRUARY 22 EDITION FOR PICTURES OF THE PATNA AND BARSHARE CHILDREN

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