Parijatham- a tale of presented by Sadhanalaya

The Sadhanalaya School of Arts, founded and led by Ms Vanaja Dasika, will be presenting Parijatham - a timeless and iconic dance drama in the classical Indian dance style, Kuchipudi, that has been performed around the world. It was choreographed by Ms Dasika’s uncle, the late Padmabhushan Vempati Chinna Satyam, who was recognised for his lifetime contributions to Kuchipudi and is credited with composing over 100 solo dance items and 15 dance dramas.

Kuchipudi dates back to the 15th century and is a visually captivating form of art - sensuous, graceful and exacting, and set to beautiful, melodious and percussive Carnatic (South Indian classical) music. It involves abstract and rhythmic dance where the emphasis is on motion, speed, range and intricately patterned footwork and slower, more expressive dance elements that communicate feelings and stories using hand, eyes and facial gestures.

Traditionally, Kuchipudi dance troupes often performed dance dramas which told stories based on Hindu mythology and spiritual themes. Parijatham is a 90-minute dance drama that features four characters: Narada (played by Jade Das), Queen Rukhmini (played by Suhasini Sumithra), Lord Krishna (played by Daya Fisher) and Queen Satyabhama (played by Vanaja Dasika). In Parijatham, Narada gives Lord