India International Centre is hosting an unque show titled When the Pleats Dance that traces the history and evolution of Bharatanatyam Dance costumes over four decades. Organised by Natya Vriksha, the exhibition displays mannequins, photographs and costume, based on the private collection of costumes and jewellery of classical dancer/choreographer Geeta Chandran, showcasing traditional and contemporary dance costumes. The National award winner dancer is now celebrating four decades of her engagement with dance since her arangetram in 1974.
The exhibition showcases the evolution of Bharatanatyam classical dance costumes over four decades. Separated as costume thought and design over four distinct decades, the exhibition links dance, aesthetics and sociology to narrate a different story through familiar and unfamiliar imagery that form four creative dioramas. Early traditional costumes in various styles - pyjama costume, cycle-cut costume and skirt costume - that marked the beginning of a visual journey, yield to costumes with a more contemporary touch, to match the changing choreographies of classical dance. The dancer’s innovations that enhanced movement when the pleats danced, form a compelling narrative to this novel display.
The exhibition unveils the process of dance-costume designing through drawings, sketches; fabric samples, colour stories, etc. curated by designer Sandhya Raman. Fabric samples and colour stories are etched out and finally the pleats pressed into shape. To illustrate the link between movement and costume, dance demonstrations by senior dancers of Natya Vriksha have also been arranged. Through the performances, curator Raman wishes to express how movement brings alive costume design for dance.
Costumes photographed in action by Rakesh Sahai become the focus even as the dancer recedes into the shadows. Displays of hair jewels and dance jewellery will complete the magic of Bharatanatyam. Every evening dancers will take the floor and that is when you will see When the Pleats Dance! Loaned for the show by Dancer (Padmashri) Geeta Chandran, the exhibition features the very first Kanchipuram silk costume the dancer wore when she was five years old.
When: June 10 - 21
Where: Art Gallery, India International Centre
Timing: 10am to 7pm