When silk strikes an enigmatic pose

Elegant performance

A dance performance has multiple realms to it. While the hard-work and dedication of the performing artiste is widely responsible for the outcome of the show, the costumes and the outward appearance of the artiste is equally important for the desired elegance and grace in the performance.

Paying a heady tribute to noted Bharatnatyam exponent Geeta Chandran, her designer Sandhya Raman curated a unique exhibition, ‘When the Pleats Dance’ at the India International Centre, in collaboration with Natya Vriksha, Desmania Foundation.

The designer artistically attempts to trace the evolution of Bharatanatyam dance costumes over four decades, based on the personal collection of Geeta Chandran’s costumes and jewellery.

Linking dance, aesthetics and sociology, the exhibition narrates a different story through familiar and unfamiliar imagery that forms four creative dioramas.

About the relevance of a good dance costume, Raman says, “When people come to watch a dance performance, more often they will just focus on the dancer and not the story that goes behind the performance. Dance costumes act as a complete partner of the performer, wherein the fabric, the comfort and the overall look of a particular costume imparts great confidence within the performer.”

The dancer’s innovative choreography and desire to enhance her visual vocabulary and aesthetic construct, throws further light on creative collaborations which form a compelling narrative to this novel display.

Having spent two decades in designing both western and classical dance costumes, Raman says that the exhibition is like showcasing a cultural heritage. “It is an entire ethos around which we work. One needs to be passionate about the dance form so as to come up with the most beautiful and complementing costumes that enhances the entire performance,” she adds.

Photographed in action by Rakesh Sahai, the exhibition also comprises traditional
and ethnic dance jewellery, which further adds to its visual delight.

While the general impression amongst people for dance costumes remains secondary to the performance, Raman contradicts the notion saying, “Costumes begin their performance when the dancer steps on to the stage.

That’s the beauty of a good costume!”

“Moreover,” she continues, “there tends to be a thin line between the dance and the costumes. To retain the prominence of that difference, an elegant dance costume is necessary. Aharya (costuming) is undoubtedly the most important aspect of dance. I hope that my journey into the World of ‘When the Pleats Dance’ will inspire other dancers and designers to explore how the dance can be enhanced further still, with the elements of aharya (costuming),” she says.

For those who want to relive some of the great performances by Geeta Chandran, visit the exhibition and feel the essence of Raman’s creativity at her best.

The exhibition is on till June 21 at the India International Centre.