Jugalbandi born out of harmony

Kathak exponent Mangala Bhatt and Bharatanatyam Guru Rajeswari Sainath present a unique jugalbandi for the first time at Ravindra Bharati today.

Natya Swara presents a confluence of Bharatanatyam and Kathak by senior Gurus Rajeswari Sainath (Sruthi Laya Kendra Natarajaalaya) and Mangla Bhatt (Aakruti Kathak Kendra). This is for the first time that both the dancers are going to be on one stage for a jugalbandi. “I choose things which have value for what I do. I did jugalbandi with artists of many dance forms like jazz earlier to this. In fact both Kathak and Bharatanatyam are Indian classical dances and the styles are different because of the difference in geography and tradition,” says Rajeswari Sainath.

Mangla Bhatt shares, “Kathak is from North India and Bharatanatyam is from South India and both have different music. Kathak is all about Hindutani music and Bharatanatyam is all about have Carnatic Music. We both are solo artistes and we have worked in our own area until now. I am looking forward to doing this jugalbandi.” However, jugalbandi can only be done when something is common. “Emotions are the same; it is the way we deliver the emotion that is different. Kathak is more about foot work and in Bharatanatyam I emphasise on rhythm. I feel that when you say jugalbandi there should be something common in presentation. We have seen some of the jugalbandis where there is no connection visually and those are done for namesake. You should not come together just for publicity. There should be a thorough understanding of each other’s style. You should together try and adopt each other’s style,” shares Rajeswari.

Mangla agrees, “Rhythm is universal. It relates, communicates and connects with everyone. Rajeswari is a rhythm-oriented person. Kathak is adapted from the royal courts of the Mughal era and rhythm plays a dominant role.”

Both the senior dancers practiced together with different sets of live musicians. And they will present ‘Suraya Namaskar’, the concept of ‘Trimurti’ - explaining why Brahma is not worshiped as much as Shiva (both enacted by Rajeswari) and Vishnu (Mangla). Both of them together will present ‘Thillana Natyam’.

“It’s a nice experience to dance with a new style. We are looking forward to present wonderful quality of Kathak and Bharatanatyam and the dance that merges harmoniously,” says Rajeswari.