POISE AND PIECES WORTH PRAISE

CE dives into an iconic choreography of Padma Shri recipient Chitra Visweswaran as the city celebrated her life and art

- Deepa Chakravarthy

A retrospective is a landmark event for an artiste, as it provides a comprehensive look back at their career. It explores the body of work, weaving it together with their life, experiences, and evolution. Padma Shri recipient Chitra Visweswaran's retrospective included a series of events spread over a month that culminated on October 12, an important milestone for the veteran artiste, who turned 75 the same day. While the finale saw the revival of her iconic dance-theatre revival, Panchali at Bharata Kalakshetra auditorium, the evening also included the release of Chitra's digital performance archive with Prasad Labs.

Earlier events in September included an exhibition, 'What Anchored Me, Let Me Fly' curated by Bhooma Padmanabhan, in collaboration with Alliance Francaise. Dance presentations by AB-HAI (The Association of Bharatanatyam Artists of India) and offerings by some notable and eminent performers were also part of the lineup. Strongly bringing out the voice of the celebrated artiste with sensitivity and poignancy was the conversation with Sukanya Ravindhar and Shreya Nagarajan Singh. It touched on Chitra's exposure to other dance forms as well as on some personal decisions and challenges. On breaking away and pushing the boundaries of tradition, not only did the reasons for change come to light, but it also brought out Chitra's conviction to effect change. More such talks are needed to reinforce and remind the next generation on how to reinvent traditions deftly and prudently.