Pune: Eight classical dance forms will converge on a single stage in Pune today, as ‘Ashta Bhava, Ashta Nritya – Mahabharata’ brings episodes from the epic to life through as many distinct dance idioms. Organised by the Pune Art and Culture Foundation in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Cultural Centre Department, the performance will be staged from 5.30 pm to 8 pm at Bal Gandharva Rangmandir, JM Road.The production will feature Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Odissi and Sattriya, with each form interpreting an episode from the Mahabharata.Its concept draws from the central theme of Ashta Bhava as depicted in Bharata Muni’s Natya Shastra. Ashta Bhava is the eight fundamental emotional states expressed in Indian classical dance and theatre— love, sorrow, anger, courage, fear, disgust, wonder and peace. These emotions form an important part of the expressive vocabulary through which stories are brought to life on stage.“In the production, each emotion is tied to a particular Mahabharata episode, with the dance forms, stories and bhavas coming together in confluence rather than being presented as separate pieces,” Patil said.Coordinating team member Gauri Patil said the programme was conceived not only as a Mahabharata retelling but also as an introduction to lesser-performed classical dance forms. “Most people are familiar with Bharatanatyam and Kathak, but many classical traditions are not as widely known. Bringing all eight together in one production allows audiences to experience their distinct styles, movement vocabularies and expressions within a single narrative,” she said.The one-and-a-half-hour production will feature 52 artistes from Pune, Mumbai, Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. Classical dance exponents who take part in the performance will also be joined by their disciples from Pune. In addition to the production, the three-hour programme will include felicitations and other proceedings.“Sattriya exponent Devika Borthakur has developed the concept and brought together the artistes for the production. As the sutrafhar (narrator) herself, she will guide the audience through the production and linking its different sections,” Patil said.
