Dancers in their various moods.

'Margam'- a recital of classical dance-- was presented of World Dance Alliance-Bangladesh on November 16 at the Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban. The programme was a collaboration by some of the most renowned dancers of the country. Divided into four sections, the show encompassed the dance genres of Odissi, Manipuri, Bharatanatyam and Kathak. Marjana Munmun gave a fine Odissi performance, while Belayet Hossain Khan and Anisul Islam Hero presented Bharatnatyam.
From early on, Chhayanaut has made its mission to promote the art of classical dance and showcase the skillful and elegant movements of some noted dancers.
November 16 was a special night as the best of classical dancers of the country came together to portray the subtle beauty and rhythmic flow of these classical dances. Kathak was the last segment of the show, presented by Tabassum Ahmed and Munmun Ahmed. Preceding this was Sharmila Banerjee and Tamanna Rahman's performances of the Manipuri dance. Each of the dancers were accompanied by their students or groups.
Most of the dances were duets like the Manipuri piece by Tamanna and her students or group dances like Kathak by Munmun and Tabassum. It was interesting to see them all move simultaneously, step by step as if guided by the beat of the music. Not one movement was out of place as the two dancers or the entire group moved in sync.
Sharmila Banerjee's Manipuri had the feminine side, performed by her students and the masculine aspect performed by her. As the tone suggests, the feminine one had soft graceful movements of Radha who elegantly and playfully moved to the sound. The masculine beat had fast, furious movements and the profound mastery of Sharmila was conspicuous in the act.
"Classical dance is very rare, " said Sharmila "Before young children were discouraged to learn this as there were no platforms to display their skills. However that is finally changing. It was quite unique that all of us dancers, who individually perform with their own groups at different shows came together to organise this recital; the warm and energetic response from the crowd was also welcome. Before people used to buy tickets to see plays; to do so to watch classical dances like Kathak, Manipura, etc was rare till now. This is truly inspiring and will also help many new talents to flourish."
Most of the students in the performance were young, and if their talents are nurtured they will go a long way. Two dancers' daughters also performed-- Munmun Ahmed's daughter Aparajita and Sharmila's daughter Sudeshna Swayamprabha.
The recital was hosted by Lubna Mariam and light and sound were by Sabuj Bhuiyan.