Indian dancer

Press, 20 July 1988, Page 18

Indian dancer

Chandrabhanu, an Indian classical dancer will present a programme of Bharata-Natyam, the South Indian Classical Temple Dance, at the State Trinity Theatre in Christchurch on July 28. Born in Perlis in Northern Malaysia, Chandrabhanu is of Indian, Burmese, Chinese, Siamese and Arabic descent. He has just completed a tour of Malaysia with his Bharatam Dance Company, and a two-week season in Melbourne at the Victorian Arts Centre. The schedule this year includes performances again in Melbourne, a six-performance tour of New Zealand, another performance tour of Malaysia, and further engagements in Perth, Tasmania and South Australia. The Christchurch performance will include a commentary that explains the symbolism, meaning and origin of the dances. The performance will begin with a dance addressed to the supreme goddess, Devi, and include dances addressed to Shiva, the great cosmic dancer, and Krishna, the blue god. The central item is the Varnam, and the final item of the evening is Chandrabhanu’s choreography in homage of the ancient seven earth mothers, powerful goddesses from the primeval period of Hindu mythology.