VṚKṢA-THE TREE

Renowned dancer Radha Anjali and the Natya Mandir Dance Company from Vienna – Austria present a dance performance on the current state of nature and humanity with dance, visuals and narratives at New Delhi on 9 February 2024 @ 6.30 PM & Chennai on 16 February 2024 @ 6.30 PM.

DANCERS

RADHA ANJALI/ VALENTINA AZARSHIN/ RANI CANDRATARA/ SOFIA KLACKL/ MARIA PRCHAL/ SHAKTI S.OYRER/ ROXANA VOSSOUGH

In a moving celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Austria and India, the Vienna Dance Ensemble of the Natya Mandir School presents an exceptional dance performance – VṚKṢA-THE TREE, an artistic presentation and appreciation of the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

This dance project, inspired by current themes such as climate protection, climate change and environmental awareness, artistically engages with the urgent challenges of our time. ‘Vriksha – The Tree’ calls on humanity to sharpen awareness and take active steps to protect the environment and our ecosystem

“This dance project, inspired by current themes such as climate protection, climate change and environmental awareness, artistically engages with the urgent challenges of our time. ‘Vriksha – The Tree’ calls on humanity to sharpen awareness and take active steps to protect the environment and our ecosystem. It serves as a reminder that positive change is still possible. In the performance, the classical Indian dance Bharatanāṭyam, impressive projections and profound texts come together for a touching presentation. The artists of the seven-member ensemble narrate the story of the Rudrākṣa tree, which in Indian mythology symbolizes compassion and hope. According to legend, God Śiva created the Rudrākṣa tree out of compassion for the suffering of humanity,” says the organizers of the Programme.

RĀDHĀ AÑJALI

Radha Anjali, internationally acclaimed Indian classical Bharatanatyam dancer, Teacher and Choreographer from Vienna closely associated with promoting intercultural dialogue and building bridges between Austria and India has been passionately devoted for Bharatanāṭyam for more than five decades.

Radha Anjali is the president of the Austrian-Indian Association and the founder and director of ‘Natya Mandir’, an association for the promotion of Classical Indian dance in Austria. She teaches Bharatanatyam at the University of Vienna, Austria.

Presently, she is working with the renowned film maker Roxana Vossough on a documentary film, ‘A Dancer’s Life in Two Cultures’, on the occasion of 75 Years of diplomatic relations between Austria and India.

THE NĀṬYA MANDIR DANCE COMPANY

The Nāṭya Mandir Dance Company, was founded for the promotion of Classical Indian dance in Austria in 1983 and conducts concerts, lectures and exhibitions on Indian arts and culture as well as dance classes and workshops. The talented dancers who received their training from Rādhā Añjali in the Nāṭya Mandir in Vienna, learned other dance forms during their studies and their creative potential, enthusiasm and love for Bhartanāṭyam marks a valuable contribution to Rādhā Añjali’s choreographic work.

“Bharatanāṭyam is a solo dance in its basic structure. However, by adapting the classic repertoire for the group, new aspects and dimensions emerged and the traditional topics are also presented in a way that is understandable for a western audience. The repertoire of the Nāṭya Mandir Dance Company includes classical dances in solo and group choreographies, which are danced to classical South Indian (Carnatic) music, as well as contemporary interpretations and new choreographies.

Currently, Radha Anjali embarks on an inspiring journey to India to take on the lead role in the documentary film ‘A Dance Life in Two Cultures’. This impressive film project about the Indian dance Bharatanāṭyam will premiere in Vienna in the fall of 2024, followed by a cinema screening in India in 2025.” said the organisers of the VṚKṢA-THE TREE