Uncharted Seas
A Kathak presentation by Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company - The Drishtikon Dance Foundation
Choreographed and danced by Aditi Mangaldas
Along with Gauri Diwakar, Rashmi Uppal, Anindita Acharjee, Shubhi Johari, Sunny Shishodiya, Manoj Sonagra, and Gaurav Bhatti
Musicians: Mohit Gangani, Ashish Gangani and Faraz Ahmed
Chief Guest: Shri N.N. Vohra, Life Trustee, IIC
Uncharted Seas
“We look for fixed points, but there are none, either in ourselves or outside in the universe. To live without these fixed
points is our challenge.” - J. Krishnamurti
Standing alone, looking out at the distant stars, have we not wondered what is it all about? What lies beyond the realms
of the known? What lies beyond what our mind can perceive? What lies hidden in the deep recesses of our heart? Is
this search external, on paths that have been laid down through centuries? Is the search internal, again through paths
that are known, tried and tested? Is this search still, without any movement?
- Without? Within? With?
“You will find freedom, truth, beauty, love, which are one and the same, only when you no longer seek them. Can the
mind exist without the movement of search?” - J. Krishnamurti
- Corridors of Light
“Let it be revealed to these eyes that are thirsty.” –Bhartendu Harishchandra
- Is this seeking external?
“I gaze, amazed at his beauty.” - Meerabai
-Is it revealed gently?
“Like the soft sound of a dew drop falling upon a leaf in a dream.” -Josh Malihabadi
- Is it a storm unleashed?
“My heart is on fire, in my madness I roam the desert,
the flames of my passion devour the wind and the sky.” - Jalalludin Rumi
- Is this search internal?
“Within oneself lie the sun and the moon.” - Kabir
- Is it revealed when all search ends?
All that one seeks is there, and if one is silent, without outward or inward movement, then it is revealed.
Choreographer’s note:
“In the words of David Bohm, ‘The field of the finite is all that we can see, hear, touch, remember and describe. This
field is basically that which is manifest or tangible. The essential quality of the infinite, by contrast, is its subtlety, its
intangibility.’ The search for the intangible, may we call it God, truth, beauty, love or freedom, is the essence of
UNCHARTED SEAS. Though I have separated the pieces, it is actually the entire production viewed in its entirety that
tries to capture the essence of ‘SEARCH’. So each piece may or may not refer to all our queries. Some attempt to
transform poetry into images or emotions. Others use abstractions of movement, light, space, rhythm, ambience to
evoke images asking the same questions.” - Aditi Mangaldas
Credits:
Concept, Choreography, Costumes and Stage: Aditi Mangaldas
Vocal Compositions: Shubha Mudgal and Aneesh Pradhan
Lights: Adapted and executed by Govind Singh Yadav
Dancers: Aditi Mangaldas, Gauri Diwakar, Rashmi Uppal, Anindita Acharjee, Shubhi Johari, Sunny Shishodiya, Manoj
Sonagra and Gaurav Bhatti
Musicians: Tabla and Effects: Mohit Gangani; Pakhawaj and Effects: Ashish Gangani; Vocal and Harmonium: Faraz
Ahmed
Management and Coordination: Kusum Arora and Sangeeta Rana
Production: Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company – The Drishtikon Dance Foundation
Aditi Mangaldas is a leading dancer and choreographer in the classical Indian dance form of Kathak, who is
recognised for her artistry, technique, and eloquence. Besides dancing and choreographing classical productions, she
has used her knowledge of Kathak to evolve a contemporary dance vocabulary. Aditi has won critical acclaim across the
world and was nominated in the category of outstanding performance (classical) by the National Critics Circle Awards
2017 in the UK. She was awarded both the State and National Sangeet Natak Academy Award India, in 2007 and 2013
respectively, both of which she declined to accept due to compelling reasons. Aditi heads the Aditi Mangaldas Dance
Company - The Drishtikon Dance Foundation.
Photo Credit: Rashtrapati Bhawan photographer
