'Call Of The Flute' show inspired by divine energy of Odissi dance, theatre

The 'Call Of The Flute' show is also an important platform for children to explore their creative energies and celebrate their unlimited potential, says Shangita. Photo: Bala Murali

In its first major original production since the pandemic, Kalpana Dance Theatre (KDT) is set to present Odissi performance Call Of The Flute at the Temple of Fine Arts in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25.

The show narrates the tales of Lord Krishna through the choreography of critically acclaimed India-based Odissi exponent Leena Mohanty and the enchanting music of Dheeraj Kumar Mohapatra, a talent in Odissi music.

The evening show will feature 60 dancers aged between four and 40.

“It has been quite an exhilarating journey working with KDT, teaching the students for over 17 years and collaborating to bring out an Odissi production every other year,” says Leena, who is based in Bangalore.

“I was very excited about this particular project and have been working on it for almost a year, writing the concept to working on the music with one of the most talented Odissi musicians, Dheeraj Kumar Mohapatra, in visualising the production,” she adds.

The main cast members of Call Of The Flute, an upcoming Kalpana Dance Theatre production set to play at the Temple of Fine Arts in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25. Photo: Noveen Mannath

Leena, who arrived in KL on Nov 1 to work on the final preparations, shares that it is a great feeling to carry on the Deba Prasad Das style of Odissi to various parts of the world, including KDT students, as Deba Prasad Das was the pioneering Odissi guru who brought the dance outside the boundaries of India.

“As the choreographer, it is quite a challenge to work with 60 dancers and see my visualisation take shape. But as I started my work after arriving in Kuala Lumpur, I was very impressed with the core group of dancers of KDT, who are equally excited to work for this production.

The rehearsals have been going on – between the Kalamandapam Hall and the Vivekanda Ashram in Brickfields – every day from 9am to 10.30pm

There will be a short break for Deepavali before the show’s cast and crew return for the last stretch of tune-ups.

“The dancers are talented, hardworking, disciplined, responsible and enthusiastic, helping out and assisting in every aspect of production from planning to execution,” says Leena.

‘I was very excited about this particular project and have been working on it for almost a year,’ says Leena, who is based in Bangalore, India. Photo: Ganesh Sahoo

There is a buoyant mood among the dancers and cast members for the upcoming Call Of The Flute show, notably with one of the segments in the dance narrating the triumph of good over evil of Krishna’s victory over the poisonous serpent Kaliya, which is the essence of the Deepavali celebration where good illuminates over darkness.

“Despite the many challenges of attempting to recover from the pandemic that disconnected the world from the performing arts industry, I am very excited with our upcoming presentation, Call Of The Flute, which feels like coming up for a breath of fresh air,” says Shangita Namasivayam, KDT’s artistic director and dance teacher.

At the show, she shares that the audience will be immersed in an authentic Odissi presentation and experience Orissa and the festivities that revolve around the famous Jagannath Puri temple in Orissa.

“For me, the ultimate objective that I have in mind is continuity and preservation of our cultural roots. It is a great responsibility that a dancer wields in ensuring that our 2,500 year old art form lives on despite the fast paced modernised world we live in. I believe that it is very important to create a platform for our young children to explore their creative abilities for they are the ultimate bearers of our culture and heritage,” she adds.

'For me, the ultimate objective that I have in mind is continuity and preservation of our cultural roots,' says Shangita, KDT’s artistic director. Photo: Sharm Muridharan Kurup

Shobita Nagulendran, who is at the heart of the production as part of the show’s main cast, is thrilled to see a community of dancers, choreographers, musicians, volunteers and arts lovers coming together.

“It is an exciting experience watching the entire production come to life. Having been part of KDT for about two decades, I have had the opportunity to partake in many of KDT’s productions.

"In Call of the Flute, I have had the opportunity to be more involved in the many aspects of piecing the production together and it truly has been exhilarating,” says Shobita.

“There are intricacies and nuance to which thought is to be given. Staging a dance production is no easy feat and I am truly honoured to be exposed to this magnificent creative process,” she adds.

Call Of The Flute will be staged at Shantanand Auditorium at the Temple of Fine Arts, Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 at 8pm. For invites, contact Shobita (013-247 2045) or Shangita (017-672 5672).