“Shadhona” A Center for Advancement of South Asian Dance and Music, commenced its bi-monthly, performances of dance, “Nupur Beje Jai” in November, 2009. This year, the twenty sixth episode of the event will be held at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on August 25.
The first performance of the show about Lord Krishna and his flute, “Bongshi Anurag” is by Mou Das and Dhrumel, which is under a three years project named “Dhrumel” of Shadhona and Manipuri Theatre. “Dhrumel” is a project, where informed training in Manipuri performance and theoretical perspectives are practiced, besides looking into the making of costumes and musical instruments.
Pung Cholom, Dhol Cholom, Kartal Cholom, Thangta, and other Lasya and Tandav forms of Manipuri are being taught. The main trainer of the initiative is Sweety Das Chowdhury from Kolkata. Besides that, Gurus of the Manipuri community in Komolganj is also part of the project and will perform on “Bongshi Anurag.” Gourahori Chatarjee, Krishnokumari Sinha, Sushmita Mondol will sing with the Mridanga, played by Kannu Sinha and Babu Chand Sinha.
Amit Choudhury will perform Bharatanatyam, Abu Naim, Parsa Evana and Lamia Saiyara Mela will entertain with contemporary performance. Manosh from Mymensingh will present folk dance performance. The attraction of the evening will be dance performances on popular songs of Bangladeshi cinemas from the 60’s, by the students of Shadhona.
The project was inaugurated with a three day workshop on June 2, in which 30 students, including 15 members of Manipuri Theatre participated. Lubna Marium, dance researcher and general secretary of Shadhona, put forward the aims and goals of the project, and hoped that trainers from Manipur (India) too, will be involved in the project. She also hoped that a yearly International Manipuri Dance Festival could be arranged in Komolganj, to attract audiences from far and wide.
