Rhythmic Delights

Sandy's cultural event #9: Kalabarathi School of Dance Presents "Rhythmic Delights"

This was a 20th Anniversary performance by Kalabarathi School of Dance, which according to the program is "one of most respected Indian Classical Dance studios in Portland." To which I ask, how many are there?? This was a really cool performance, though, partly because it was a joint venture with Portland Taiko. Now you might not think Taiko drumming and Bharatnatyam dance would complement each other, but they do!

Unfortunately it was 101 degrees on the day of this performance, and the venue was a high school auditorium. Many of the audience members probably felt right at home in the stifling heat, but I was dying. So we left at intermission (which, for the record, was 1 hour 45 minutes into the performance. Apparently Indian dance recitals follow the Bollywood philosophy of "more is more.")

Oh and by way, any aspirations I had of taking bharatanaytam lessons were dashed with this performance. The only white (or non-Indian) girl performing was 1) really fat and 2) playing the role of a man. Her costume looked like something Bam-Bam from the Flinstones should be wearing. No, I think this is an art better learned from early childhood. Maybe in my next life.