The nine forms of Devi Shakti, Nava Durga, were presented for the first time in Britain.11 dancers from different areas of location and dance expertise have displayed the attributes of each Durga, through Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Lavani, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, and Rabindra Nrutya. The script was extracted from the chapter on Goddess Durga in Markandeya Purana, and the impact was doubled by the music produced by well-known Guru Dr Uma Rama Rao.. The event was organised at Shri Kanaka Durga Amman Temple in Ealing, established twenty five years ago.
Audience remained spellbound with the depth, vibrance and the impact of the story of Nava Durga, an apt presentation in the season of Dussehra Navratri. Guests of Honour on the occasion were His Worshipful Mayor of Ealing Councillor Tejinder Dhami, MP for Ealing and Southall Virendra Sharma and former Mayor and the GLA member Dr Onkar Sahota, besides community representatives from different organisations such as Janahanda Foundation. The role and power of women in society and in mythology was applauded and highlighted by the speakers.
Dancers performed were Nikita Banawalikar from India, Dr Piyali Basu, Santhi Aripirala, Manju Sunil, Suvarchala Madireddy, Rashmi Lakahapate, Soundarya Gokulnath, Gairika Mathur, Sinjini Chakraborty, Ragasudha Vinjamuri, and Sayoni Batabyal from different parts of Britain who came together on the platform of Sur Bharti Women’s Collective. The dance piece was directed by Ragasudha Vinjamuri of Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence. The performance shall be repeated on 20th Camden Durga Puja and on 27th October at Brunei Gallery, SOAS South Asia Institute.
