Expressions of India, hosted by the Lasya School of Dance as part of their 20th anniversary celebration series, offered the Massachusetts community a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Indian classical dance forms. Held at Worcester Tech High School, supported  by the Worcester Arts Council, and inaugurated by the honorary Mayor of Worcester, this  non ticketed event was designed to give back to the community, drawing over 350 attendees. The evening was expertly curated by Guru Sapna Krishnan, founder of Lasya School of Dance, a talented choreographer, and a dedicated teacher. She collaborated with renowned artists to showcase six classical Indian dance forms, each introduced with insightful explanations, providing the audience with a deeper understanding of the art form prior to each performance.

Opening the evening, Nilanjana Nambiar and Madhumitha Nambiar, daughters and students of the artistic director Guru Sapna Krishnan, presented a powerful invocation to the supreme ‘Devi’ through Bharatanatyam. The duo embodied the divine feminine with power, poise, and elegance. Their timing and synchronisation felt effortless, showcasing an intuitive professional grace cultivated through years of training and a deep, unspoken connection that only sisters could share. Next, Mitali Mukherjee graced the stage with an elegant Kathak performance, beautifully capturing the essence of this North Indian classical style. It was impossible to determine what captivated the audience more - her nuanced expressions and playful candor during the Krishna Radha segment, her nimble footwork in ‘Ektaal’ landing flawlessly on ‘sam,’ or the effortless beauty of her swirling skirt as she glided through countless ‘chakkars’. 

The transition to Mohiniyattam by Resmi Thekkedath introduced a slower, more lyrical style. Her fluid movements and gentle sway embodied the essence of ‘lasya’, a key component of Mohiniyattam. Beginning with a ‘cholkettu’, the traditional opening that establishes rhythm, she transitioned seamlessly into ‘Sri Ganapathim’, a piece composed by Kavalam Narayana Panicker. In this segment, she portrayed Parvathy’s tender yet fierce emotions and Ravana’s audacious acts with effortless authenticity. Kohal Das’s standout Bharatanatyam varnam, ‘Devadideva’, was the evening’s highlight, holding the audience spellbound with his commanding presence and technique. In the ‘Ananda tandavam’, he skillfully mimed instruments like the mridangam, veena, flute, and cymbals, making each gesture so realistic that it seemed as if the instruments were on stage with him. Each time he finished an ‘adavu korvai’, the audience burst into applause, captivated by his precision, agility and energy. His performance reached a peak with a sequence of fast paced ‘muzhumandi adavus’, paying tribute to his guru, Sri Parshwanath Upadhye. In a few unnoticed moments, Kohal’s sacred thread fell off his shoulder, and one couldn’t help notice how he adjusted it without missing a beat, staying perfectly in ‘talam’ - as if it were choreographed - a testament to his dedication,immersion, and complete surrender to the art form.

Shamoyita Mukherjee’s Odissi performance transported the audience to Odisha with her beautifully sculpted poses and rhythmic grace. The fluidity of her ‘bhangas’ and intricate footwork was complemented by her expressive ‘abhinaya’, vividly conveying the emotions of the piece. Young Hasini Gujjari enthralled the audience with her Kuchipudi performance on ‘Kanchadalaayadaakshi’, portraying the vibrancy and energy that this dance form is known for. Her lively footwork and sharp rhythmic movements were commendable. Nisha Nair's Kathakali performance delivered the visual and expressive intensity unique to this art form, marked by her intricate makeup, elaborate costume and props, even including a ‘thirasheela’. Her intense facial expressions, combined with characteristic ‘cholliyattam’ and larger than life gestures, conveyed the complex emotions of the iconic ‘Kirmeervadham’ with great depth.

The penultimate piece of the event was a ‘Thillana’, where Madhumitha and Nilanjana complemented each other beautifully, creating a perfect contrast on stage. Nilanjana embodied the powerful presence of Shiva with sharp, dynamic movements, while Madhumitha portrayed the graceful Parvathy with elegance. Their back and forth interplay was nothing short of a “sabhash, seriyaana potti” - a brilliant, friendly competition that highlighted their strengths and balance between power and grace. The finale dance on popular ‘Bhoomi Mangalam’, with all artists joining together, was nothing short of a spectacle - a visual celebration of unity among India’s dance forms, leaving the audience with a sense of collective beauty and pride.

The event was emceed by the multi talented Sutikshna Veeravalli, an inspiring artist whose resilience in overcoming challenges has shaped her into the exceptional singer and dancer she is today. Her eloquent remarks added a heartfelt depth to the evening, making it even more memorable.

As we left the auditorium, a line from one of the evening’s songs, “vaa vaa en vinaigal neeki arula va”, echoed in my mind, perfectly capturing the essence of the night. It was a beautiful reminder that, for those few precious hours, the joy and beauty of dance had lifted our spirits, transporting us to a realm far removed from the grind of everyday life. 

Kudos to the Lasya School of Dance for organising such an enriching event for the community, and for their thoughtfulness in providing us with the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the timeless beauty of Indian classical dance forms.