www.fridayweekly.com.np Every Thursday | ISSUE 121 | RS. 20 SUBSCRIBER COPY 6 June 2012 | @$ h]i7 @)^( ISSN 2091-1092 9 772091 109009 www.facebook.com/fridayweekly 3 4 5 6 12 16 PAGE 3 FEATURE HALLOFFRAME EVENTS GOURMET HIGHSPIRITS Reecha Sharma shares a day Binod Bhattrai opines on what The swarm of white swayed Nutritionist turned artist, Instead of buying the popular Find out about inventions of her routine coupled with the demise of the Constituent to songs by popular singers Miriam E. Krantz, captures dessert, try baking the Black that transformed alcohol meetings for new releases Assembly implies for the gathered in Durbar Marg her appreciation for Nepal on Forest Cake. Here’s a recipe right down to making it and a glamourous event. politicians as well as the citizens. for ‘harmony in diversity’. canvas, which are on exhibit. for the German delight. available in powder form. Parampara Vistaar A great dance tradition from Orissa in India, revived in the 20th century and inspired from temple art, will be performed in Nepal by Madhavi Mudgal and her troupe. The shows reveal the magic of lyrical expression and dynamic movement. — Dr. Geeti Sen Models: Madhavi Mudgal and troupe Madhavi Models: For more, turn to page 2 2 Issue 121 | 6 June 2012 Fr!day cover Dr. Geeti Sen is a cultural historian who has written seven books on Indian art, and taught at colleges and institutions in India and abroad. Her recent book “Your History gets in the Way Parampara Vistaar of My Memory: Essays on Indian Artists” was released this year in Delhi. For twenty years she was Chief Editor at the India International n 8 and 9 June the the postures were meticulously In later centuries when the Centre. In 2009 she was appointed by the Indian Government as Director of the Indian stage in Nepal opens reconstructed from visual focus shifted to courts and dance Cultural Centre in Kathmandu. to performances of evidence. For instance, the became a secular art, the Maharis OOdissi dance by one of pillars of the nata mandapa were no longer dedicated solely India’s renowned groups led by in the great sun temple of to the worship of the Lord. Madhavi Mudgal. The audience Konarak render images of They were replaced with little pakhavaj; yet he choreographed lyrics and often from the will be enthralled by their dancers – in the actual hall boys called Gotipuas dressed for them the entire sequence. cantos of the Gita Govinda, the repertoire of Mangalacharan which now lies open to sky, up as women who danced at Later Mudgal persuaded him celebrated text from the 12th as invocation, the piece de where they had once performed temple festivals. The style had to dance, and to accompany century. This was composed resistance of pure rhythmic in the thirteenth century! High almost died out when it was her on tours to France, Spain, by the poet/devotee Jayadeva, movement called Pallavi, above on the highest plinth revived in its exquisite grace by Brazil, London and elsewhere. singing of Radha and Krishna narrative sequences from the of the main temple are giant contemporary exponents. Great modern dancers in with compelling verses that Gita Govinda on the sublime sculptures of these dancers, Among the pioneers to Europe Iike Pina Bautsch and describe every emotion between love of Radha Krishna, and playing the flute and cymbals revive authentic expression at Maurice Bejart became his lovers, both sensual and spiritual the dance of lord Shiva as and drums (pakhavaj) in ecstasy the Kala Vikas Kendra, Odissi ardent admirers. His dance was in feeling. Ardhanareshwara. to the sun god. Research Centre, and in his a revelation for students and As one of India’s leading Odissi is the most feminine connoisseurs alike. exponents in Odissi, Mudgal expression of classical dance in As a soloist and choreographer she The ultimate expression brings a refined sensibility India which is rarely performed in all classical dance forms in to her art. Honors bestowed in Nepal. Its grace lies in has acclaim from the international India is the mastery of abhinaya, on her include the Sanskriti lasya: slow lyrical movement world of dance. What is unusual is the art of emotive expression Award, the Padma Shri from developed from sculpturesque the commitment which she brings to convey any mood. Mudgal President of India, the Grande stances – inspired directly from describes the approach of her Medaille de la Ville by the city stone carvings on temples in as a teacher to inspire her pupils at guru in motivating his students: of Paris, the Sangeet Natak Orissa. When this dance form Gandharva Vidyalaya in Delhi. “Sometimes in an abhinaya Akademi. The expression of was revived, and that was only teaching session, to depict a Abhinaya is her tour de force 60 years a g o , The origins of Odissi dance school Srijan in Cuttack was an particular Nayika he would with a subtle grace to her can be traced back to 2nd century unassuming man of humility explain for hours how a woman movements. As a soloist and BC in the Rani Gumpha cave, and vision. Guru Kelucharan walked and how a particular choreographer she has acclaim of a dancer with her musicians. Mohapatra strove to perfect gait would suit the part… The from the international world of Infused with new life, Odissi this genre and to inspire a meaning of the words, the dance. What is unusual is the is one of the oldest dance generation of dancers. He bhava to be applied, the music commitment which she brings traditions, linked indisputably received the highest awards of to be used, even the bols that as a teacher to inspire her pupils to temple rituals in this region Padmashri, Padmabhusan and the pakhavaj would play for at Gandharva Vidyalaya in in east India. In its highest Padma Vibhushan from the the abhinaya sequences were Delhi. They accompany her on expression this Government of India, clearly etched in his mind as tours abroad and are encouraged dance was and the Order he crafted them in his masterly to hone their talents. of Art and choreography. This vitality and lyrical Letters from For a performance he expression will be seen in the France before would actually do the dancer’s performances that hold out a he passed away in make-up, tie the saris and hair, promise to be magical ! performed 2004. including the ghungroos, and by priestesses Madhavi Mudgal was then be ready to go on stage and Organized by the Indian Cultural Centre in Kathmandu with support from the Indian Council known as among his prime disciples, from direct the performance, leading for Cultural Relations, New Delhi. Maharis who 1972 when he first played the the musicians and inspiring the Friday June 8: performance at Moksha, Jwalakhel, 5:30 pm performed before the deity, pakhavaj for her performance in dancer to give her best.” Saturday June 9: performance at Nepalese Army either in the inner sanctum or in Mumbai. At the time he would The dances are set to music, Officers Club, 5:30 pm More information on page 7 mandapas built for this purpose. accompany his students on the drawing from medieval Oriya page3 celebrity surveillance make your statement Reecha Sharma In a relatively short career span, this actor has accumulated an impressive portfolio with carefully thought through choices of film offers she has accepted: Highway – the Berlinale selection that has had our hopes sky-high since its screening in Berlin, “Loot” – a movie not only appreciated but celebrated, and “Visa Girl” – the next inline with its poster’s quality itself creating high hopes. She has ‘immense potential’ written all over every project she has taken up—that is what most directors she has worked with have to say about her in their own words. She has a lot on her plate everyday, but she makes time for what she loves. Her day is filled with activities ranging from her hobbies to her work. She spent one such day with us. — Anubhuti Poudyal “What one message of Lord An ultra-fine line has been Buddha would you like to give 6:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. added to the title of “Visa Girl” 5:20 p.m. to your country men on the An Early Bird She spends some time on the to make it By this time she is home and It is this early that Reecha Sharma internet to check emails and social relaxes for a while. Then it’s time occasion of Buddha Jayanti?” wakes up everyday and prepares networking sites. She cannot miss to get ready for the event – Miss for her day. out on her friends’ updates. 9 Nepal 2012. letters with an extra, almost 7:15 a.m. invisible “i” in “Girl”, in Run For Fun accordance to numerological faith 7: 15 p.m. It is time for a run! Reecha makes She leaves for Hotel Annapurna sure she runs almost every where the annual Miss Nepal morning and prefers fresh air to 2:30 p.m. pageant is to be held. her treadmill at home. Her favorite Break For Lunch Reecha likes to have food that she place? It is either Pashupati or area So far, she has acted in around the airport. loves and at a place she likes. Since the post-production of “Visa Girl” 10:30 a.m. is taking place in Tripureshwor 10:30 p.m. and most afternoons are spent in 5 Reecha prefers walking to her movies – “First Love”, “Mero She is home and is 8:30 a.m.