I seek...Abhinaya

There is no better way to spend a hideously dark, wet and depressing day than to gape at the sheer mastery of Aditi Mangaldas and Priyadarshini Govind. Armed for the filthy weather, Somya and I were taken aback as we clomped our way into the lobby at Saddler's Wells to the sight of jhumkas, bejewelled dupattas and a severe la di dah factor. Damn! Another lost opportunity to ruin another sari......

A stunning launch into a virtuoso Kathak piece, Aditi leaves you stunned with her fluidity of movement, beauty of line, and tautness of form. Her chakkars leave you gawping, and she demands adulation from the audience. Superb. Even her lack of abhinaya doesn't mar from the breathless feeling she engenders. Her second piece is a contemporary one, and brings how tiny she actually is, and her roped body is unlike any Indian classical dancers I've seen. Her powerful control of her body slams home as the incessant flit of her fingers, like hungry flagella mesmerise you as the other dancers fade into incoherent movement in the background. An interesting piece, with some stunning lightning and synchronisation, melding the classical with the modern, but would have been better served with some serious editing (not to mention a complete eradication of the Ishq bit with the disco footwork!). I feel conservative, but her classical Kathak rendition did it for me.

Next on, the doyenne of Bharatnatyam, Priyadarshini Govind. Aditi may have mastered the body, but Priyadarshini rules the heart and soul. Unlike Aditi, she starts off without a whump, but with each step, each look, each note, draws you in tighter and tighter. Eyes that ensnare, a smile that enchants, gestures that tease and charm. A beautiful woman, gifted with abhinaya that renders beauty obsolete. As you watch her weave her stories, your feel sympathy for the Gods... the distraction afforded by an Apsara, apparent. Her piece depicting the tussle between a devotees faith in Shiva, while being led astray by Krishna is spellbinding in it's innocence, coyness and honesty, while her courtesan telling off her lover for his lack of attentiveness turns your smiles into peels of laughter. She is all that is warm, sensual and deeply emotive.

Two women bound together by classical dance, yet the antithesis of each other in many ways. While the evening was theirs, it was made by some exquisite vocals and bols, and superlative musicians who elevated the performances and stole some of the thunder with an inspired jugalbandi between pieces.

An evening that leaves you with a warm, satisfied glow, and feeling very pleased with yourself indeed, the lingering memory begging for an encore. Waah!