Atirathis recreats Arjuna-Karna Final Conflict in Chandigarh

17-04-2018

An astounding performance of Atirathis thrilled the audience at the Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on April 17 2018 as a starter to the four-day dance and music festival organised here by Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Academi. Atirathis is a contemprary dance form that draws inspiration from erstwhile martial styles.

The Atirathis that was performed on Monday here depicted the touching story of Kunthi, Karna, Arjuna, Draupadi and Indra against the backdrop of a fierce combat between Arjuna and Karna. As the two valiant warriors fought it out in an unprecedented spectable on the stage realised through a blend of Kathak, Chhau, Klarichpadh and Indian contemporary dance, the audience were left gaping with awe and disbelief.

The director and choreographer of the theatrical performance was Sangeetha Sharma, an internationally reputed Indian choreographer and contemporary dance artiste. Perfroming for more than three decades, Sangeetha specialises in contemporary dance, both Indian and Western styles, and her theatrical performances lay focus on human beings' internal conflicts and social issues. She is famous for having founded the popular Anveshana Society of Performing Arts in the year 2018.

Known as two fierce warriors in the battlefield, Arjuna and Karna are crucial characters in Mahabharatha, the great Hindu epic. Although, the two stalwarts who are also estranged brothers, were always at loggerheads throughout the narration, the most gripping and cataclysmic part involving the duo is their final conflict. Bow and arrows, burning lamps and stunning dance styles were the highlights of Atirathis; throughout its reflection of the state of mind of Kunthi prior to the final combat between her two sons.

Sangeetha herself depicted the character of Kunti, while Subhashish Dey and Umesh Bisht donned the role of Karan and Arjuna respectively. Tanya Goswami's Draupadi was pleasing and Thushar Yadav's Indra as well never looked lagging. The duration of the show was one hour.