A smitten Shurpanakha tries to woo a troubled Lord Rama, while he is on his way to Ravana’s abode. Imagine if Rama burst into a song in this situation, in the good old tradition of our movies. And now imagine that Rama has a wacky sense of humour. What would he sing? ‘Ek Chatur Naar karke Shringaar’?!

If you are giggling, well, that’s the intention. This is Hasya Rasa in the Ramayana, portrayed through the medium of popular, semi-classical Hindi film songs.

Celebrated danseuse Sonal Mansingh says she wants to “open the doors of classical dance a little wider” and usher in “young audiences who are so hung up on film music” into the world of classical dance.

Hence was born ‘Sabras’, a novel choreography that seamlessly interweaves classical Odissi dance with popular Hindi film songs.

Classical raagas have been often used in film songs and many such songs have elements of classical dance as well.

‘Sabras’ hopes to portray the navarasas such as shringara (romantic love), raudra (anger or jealousy), hasya (mirth), vira (heroic) etc, through the lyrics of songs that echo these sentiments.

So the Geet-Govind ashtapadi that depicts a jealous and angry Radha is performed to the song ‘Saiyan beiman’ from the film Guide; the intense spirituality of Kabir's nirgun bhajan "Jheeni jheeni beeni chadariya" is matched with the famous film song ‘Laga chunri main daag chupaooon kaise’.

“Indian music and dance, whether classical or film-based, is very diverse and eclectic. What I hope to do is combine the best of both worlds,” Sonal told Metrolife in a telephonic interview. “I do not claim to be doing anything new...I am only doing the kind of experiment sitar maestro Ravi Shankar once did with the Beatles.”

This tapestry of classical dance and film music is the inaugural programme in ‘Manthan’, an art and culture series presented by the Bangalore International Centre.

BIC hopes to promote artistic excellence through a series of dance, music, theatre and visual arts programmes as part of ‘Manthan’.

Catch Sonal Mansingh’s ‘Sabras’ at 7 pm on March 22 at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall.

Entry to the event is by invitation. Passes may be collected from the Bangalore International Centre, TERI Complex, 4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlur II Stage. PH: 080-25359680 Website: www.bicentre.org