As part of Shadhona’s 3 year project Dhrumel, Shadhona and Manipuri Theatre will stage the premier show of their new dance drama Premamritam at the auditorium of Dance and Music Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at 6:30pm.
Choreography and conceptualisation of the dance drama by Mou Das, Premamritam is based on these songs. In the dance drama, they will showcase both the exquisite songs and the local Manipuri singers and musicians within the dance-production, while also developing a Bangladeshi margam (way - signifying repertoire) for Manipuri dance.
Premamritam, signifying divine love, depicts Lord Krishna’s antics in each of the eight divine divisions of each day – culminating in the duet dance of Krishna and his foremost devotee Radha.
The narrative of the production is based on the collective singing of spiritual songs in the eight (ashta), three-hour (prahar) periods into which each day is divided. Preached by Chaitanya Mahapraubhu of Nabadwip Dham, Sankritan is the easiest way of devotion leading to total salvation.
Vaisnava Padavalis, or songs, tell of the love-play, separation, and union between the flute-playing cowherd Krishna and the cowherds Radha. On an esoteric level, Radha is understood to be the individual soul that petulantly feels abandoned by God, symbolised by Krishna, who, in turn, loves all souls and is therefore accused of infidelity by Radha. But Radha finally overcomes her hurt and rejoins her lover in passionate union. Using the hugely magnetic power of desire, these bhakti, or devotional classics, describes a pathway to return to Oneness with the Divine.
The production from Shadhona’s 3-year Manipuri Dance Project Dhrumel, in Komolganj of Moulvibazar in Sylhet. Shadhona has initiated Dhrumel based in Komolganj (Moulvibazaar, Sylhet), with the support of Manipuri Theatre, to work with Manipuri dance.
As part of Dhrumel, research and documentation of the vibrant treasure-trove of Bangla Vaishnava Padabali songs sung during the rituals and festivals. A vital part of their research and documentation programmme is the showcasing of the music and musicians of Komolganj.
Premamritam is based on these songs. We hope to showcase both the exquisite songs and the local Manipuri singers and musicians within the dance-production, while also developing a Bangladeshi margam (way - signifying repertoire) for Manipuri dance.
They have undertaken research and documentation of the vibrant treasure-trove of Bangla Vaishnava Padabali songs sung during the rituals and festivals. A vital part of our research and documentation programmme is the showcasing of the music and musicians of Komolganj.
