Dec 02, 2011
Third Eye Dancers, an Atlanta based not for profit organization and Bharathakala Natya Academy in partnership with Sewa International and The Art of Living Foundation presented an enthralling dance drama,’ Enchanted Snow White’ based on a beloved time-less fairy-tale of Snow White, as a fundraiser for Bhutanese Refugee Children’s Education, at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, on Saturday,October.29
The show, a sold-out event which attracted over 650 patrons, was a breathtaking magical spectacle, a synthesis of colorful costumes, pulsating music and over thirteen captivating dance pieces by the Bharathakala Natya Academy’s talented and well-trained students (over 60 students) , which transported the audience to the magical kingdom of Snow White and the fairies. The innovative and imaginative concept, story and choreography were by Bharathakala Natya Academy’s Founder and artistic director, Subathra Sudarshan. Subathra had the audience spellbound with her choreography and presentation skills. Indeed she is not only a veteran dancer but is also well known for her discipline, refinement, spiritual depth and meticulous eye for details all which were demonstrated adequately during the show.
After extending a warm welcome to all, Sudarshan, explained the mission of Third Eye Dancers was to increase awareness about social issues affecting children, through dance so that they with their parents can get involved in the remediation of such issues. “Third Eye Dancers, in association with Bharathakala Natya Academy have organized fundraising events like Dayaa Nidhi in 2007 for Rising Star outreach, Prana in 2009 for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Anjali for Achaia Trust in 2010. In 2010, it organized another fund-raiser for Akshaya Trust. ‘An evening with the True Hero’ recognizing CNN Hero Narayanan Krishnan of Akshaya Trust.” In August, this year, it raised funds for Tamilnad Kidney Research Foundation (TANKER Foundation). And today’s event as you know is for helping Bhutanese Refugee Children’s Education. Having lived in a camp for close to 18 years, the Bhutanese refugees have been offered legal resettlement by U.S. These children need guidance, support and help to develop into responsible citizens of tomorrow. SEWA and Art of Living Foundation have helped them transition to American culture and to new life style. Since past eighteen months, some Johns Creek 1th and 12th Graders have been helping Bhutanese students over weekends with English, maths., and SAT tests preparation.(applause). Enchanted Snow White’s underlying moral is “No matter what your race(or color)is or how you look physically, to be truly beautiful you need to have noble virtues.” Finally, some of the Bhutanese families and Ralph Parker are in the audience today, so do meet with them and offer your help through your donations or volunteering. I thank all the volunteers for their immense help and you all for attending and supporting this worthy humanitarian cause”)Applause)
The dance drama begins with Fairy God Mother(Marsha Hildebrand) in crystal clear delivery narrating the fairy tale. The King(Abay Radhakrishnan) and Queen (Lakshmi Thesam) enter with the beautiful baby Snow White. The young princess loses her mother and the King re-marries. Little Snow White’s(Mirra’s)step-mother (Subathra)is an evil and jealous woman. Subathra’s skill for 'abhinaya' was evident in the expressions of the swiftly changing moods of the evil queen from one of anger to cunningly plotting against Snow White. Subathra’s choreography negotiated the complicated and rhythmic changes of the music allowing her students to effortlessly cover the stage with dynamism and grace.
Snow White, known for her kindness and generosity grows up to be a beautiful princess but loses her father. Snow White is shown dancing with her friends to ‘dheem thakitha thadimi” The evil Queen, who is a sorceress creates a Magic Mirror(shown on the backdrop),and asks” Mirror Mirror on the wall, who is the most beautiful of them all? The Mirror replies, “You are beautiful of course, but there is someone who is more beautiful than you-Snow White, because she has seven noble virtues-generous,brave,humble,honest,non-violent and full of love. “Heeding Mirror’s advice, the Queen charms Snow White (Vishwa)into giving all her noble qualities. Heartbroken Snow White is advised by Fairy Mother to travel the four corners of the world, face the five elements and regain her virtues. The Queen celebrates her departure by reclining on a seat and watching a Tillana dance. Snow White travels to the ‘land of courage’ and faces the five elements. The backdrop showing the five elements adds sheen to the captivating dance. Snow White’s journey continues from land of humility to the land of Truth, carrying the ‘stone of tears’. The audience is treated to two spellbinding Native and Fairy dance. The Queen orders bearded and long-haired huntsman(Nagi Natarajan)to kill Snow White. Hypnotic ‘animal dance’ and Snow White(Harini)’s exquisite ‘Tillana’ commanded audience’s rapt attention. Huntsman throws away his axe and enters into a sword-fight with the valiant Prince(Nanthesan Sudarshan) and is defeated. Snow White reaches the land of peace and finds tranquility there. Snow White and the fairies perform Peacock dance and the piece-de-resistance dance to the uplifting song,”Om Shanti,Shanti,Shanti,which earns well deserved wide applause. The Queen transforms herself into an old witch(Vani Kokilakumar).The evil-looking witch with a dark-brown long-nosed mask with a long stick in one hand and a basket with apples in the other ,tries to kill Snow White(Ishwarya) . Snow White bites the apple and faints but the Prince comes and revives her. They perform a dance together and the story ends with a heartwarming ending.
As the Fairy Mother comments,” All of us are human, and once in a while we all lose our way. But we can regain our virtues just like Snow White.”
Marsha who plays the role of Fairy Mother commented, “I was honored to be invited.I was especially drawn to the fact that they were telling a story using virtues which are the core values of Subathra's school,- Charity, Education, Discipline, Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, Leadership , and Team work . All of these values are skills that require hard work and dedication. Teaching them to young girls makes them grow up to be strong women. It keeps them on the right path. For me, it was seeing the respect the parents and dancers had for their beloved teacher Subathra Sudarshan. The total experience from conception to performance is my take away. The wonderful thing about charity is that I always get so much more than I could ever give!
Subathra Sudarshan as the Evil Queen; Marsha Hildebrand ,Vani Kokilakumar,Nanthesan Sudarshan, and four girls Mirra Vetrivel,Vishwa Sevak,Harini Indrakrishnan;and Ishwarya Venkatachalam who play Snow White’s role excelled in their roles. All the dancers deserve plaudits for their stellar and breezy performances. The costumes, facial adornments, use of peacock feathers, leaves and flowers in adornments were praiseworthy. The specially created imaginative scenic multimedia backdrop showed moving scenery of cascading waterfalls, thunder and lightning, castles, gardens, and even exploding fireworks ! and enhanced the magical feel of the fairy tale. The brilliance and elegance of the choreography, the perfection of the technique blended with liveliness and the variety of the dance pieces deserve accolades. An evening spent in watching this production is definitely an evening well spent.
Subathra felt that a fairy tale is a great way of conveying a story line. “All of us are enamored by fairy tales especially children. This story in particularly chosen to convey a message to the youth who are always super conscious of their physical appearance. What makes one beautiful is not just the physical aspect but the values they imbibe and portray in this dance drama.”
The whole cast received a thunderous standing ovation as it came on stage. And an ebullient Subathra commented, “This event would not have been possible without the hard work and support from all the students, parents, volunteers and well-wishers. Artists and Performers get their due on stage, but volunteers are silent helpers. They get the complaints but not the credit. The selfless service they have provided for this event is something that we cherish the most”
By Mahadev Desai
