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A royal affair

Get ready for a classical treat as Manjari Chaturvedi will be taking the Capital stage with Darbari style of kathak that represents the dance of the courtesans in the two-day show titled The Courtesan – An Enigma. The concert that will also feature actress Neesha Singh.

The event will showcase the allure and abstract dance form of Kathak. The dancer will embellish her description with hand gestures and beautiful expressions to a <g data-gr-id="30">give</g> lift to her darbari style.

A dance style <g data-gr-id="29">known</g> for its delicate movements and expressions; and characterised by exquisite costumes, it originated in royal courtrooms of a bygone era. Manjari brings back this enticing dance form to the stage. 

The beauty and grandeur of the royal courts will be re-captured as some of the rare and original compositions that reverberated through the arts and performance realm in yesteryear will take over the stage.

Neesha Singh will be narrating anecdotes and stories from the life and times of a few famous courtesans. Many pre-conceived notions about courtesans, often misconstrued, such as their sensibilities, lifestyles, emotions, disposition and ethos would be challenged as light will be shed upon numerous <g data-gr-id="35">lesser known</g> aspects of their lives.

The forms of Ghazal, thumri and <g data-gr-id="40">dadra</g> always have great lyrical value. The poems often are so powerful that they have for centuries led <g data-gr-id="37">social</g> revolution and broken away the social, communal, religious differences among people and showed them the way to reach salvation. The lyrics are mostly in Urdu, Awadhi Braj Bhasha and Punjabi (for Tappa <g data-gr-id="41">gayaki</g>). As the dialects are <g data-gr-id="36">loosing</g> their shimmer, they may disappear soon. 

This concert will feature the dance of the courtesan, Darbari Kathak along with narrative slots inundated with rich stories, offering the audience a unique glimpse into the lives of the courtesans.

Commenting on the concert, Manjari said, “The Lost Songs of the Courtesans is an initiative that collaborate the two extremes of traditional art and modern technology, together in a unique amalgamation to not only make the youth and the masses aware of this dying art form but also develop the interest of generation X, that progresses with technology and find ways of preservation of the same.” So mark the dates and make sure you witness this royal treat!

When: May 19 at Epicentre and May 20 at India International Centre
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