Festival showcases Bharatnatyam with Paris based opera dancers

Dancer-choreographer Rukmini Chatterjee is set to introduce the second edition of 'Connections,' a performing arts festival that includes a joint performance by Paris-based tango group with Bharatnatyam dancers.
Paris-based Chatterjee, who is of Bengali origin is noted for juxtaposing Bharatanatyam with ballet and other dance forms.
Beginning January 8, the three- day festival here also includes a event that puts together reflections of a journey through dance and music between Europe and Argentina.
"My artistic path is rooted in my life. In each of my creations I bring together very different art forms, artists, cultures, worlds, so as to establish dialogue and build bridges between these varied universes. A quest to understand life and human nature is the base for these meetings," says the dancer.

The first performance "Heaven and Earth" has been conceived and directed by Chatterjee with assistance from Bruno Bouche from the Paris Opera.
Dancers from the opera of Paris are set to come together with Bharatanatyam and tango dancers to celebrate the universality of emotions. An Indian percussionist, French cello and violin players, an accordion player and an acoustician bring forth an electronic and contemporary sound to the whole piece.

"I have always been a foreigner wherever I have lived. Being of Bengali origin, born in Delhi, brought up in Ahmedabad and now living for the last 24 years in Paris, I have always had to build bridges between my world and that of the culture or country I have lived in," says Chatterjee.

The dancer says the need to go back to her origins and "establish deep roots again" was instrumental in creating the festival.
"This performing arts festival is about establishing dialogue between cultures and bringing it forth to Delhi audiences through innovative choreographies," she says.
The festival is being held in partnership with the French Embassy in India, Institut Francais and the Culture Ministry.