Natyasutra Online

Choreography & Teaching

Guru Pali Chandra, a veteran who has composed, choreographed and presented over seven hundred dance titles, still found this project a massive challenge. Her composition had to stay true to Jayadeva’s 12th-century ethos, while allowing her to give her own touch to it. The dance was choreographed as per the ragas and talas suggested initially. Thus, the entire recording process was a non-linear one, a digital jugalbandi between a group of dancers and musicians engrossed in the text of the Gita Govinda.

Guru Dr Pali Chandra firmly believes that the Gita Govinda is highly relevant in the 21st century. Technology has progressed, and lifestyles have evolved, but human emotions remain the same. The joy of meeting someone, the enthusiasm of desire, the pangs of separation, and the bliss of reunion are eternal. Amidst all this, the character of Radha stands apart as a unique figurine in Indian history. The Guru brings the nuances of this mysterious figure to the fore. Her curiosity about the unabashed devotion of Radha shines through each of her lectures. She also focuses on the metaphors and lyrical charm of Jayadeva’s text. She asks each of her students to explore this message of absolute relinquishment of all but the divine. Her classes pore over each of the prabandhas, charting the path of pain, relief, joy and eventual fulfilment that defines Radha’s journey.

Once the essence of the choreography was finished, Guru (Dr) Pali Chandra and her students congregated for vigorous training and rehearsal sessions before the final recording. First, the senior disciples assisted her during the dance design process. At some points, the finer details of the final process were tweaked as per the feedback received.

Individual and group workshops commenced as more students joined the project. Thus began the process of directly conveying the teachings and message that Guru (Dr) Pali Chandra had conceived throughout her journey. This was the first glimpse of the final product that will be released to the world, and the initial responses were highly encouraging. Post this stage, preparations were to be made for the final presentation and digital translations, which took place on the specially designed stage surrounded by eco-friendly forest models and authentic tree cover of the mighty Western Ghats.