Theatre & Dance: Special Series; Surupa Sen & Bijoyini Satpathy

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Dec 6, 1999

SPECIAL SERIES

Surupa Sen, 29 and Bijoyini Satpathy, 25
Odissi Dancers

GRACE UNDER POWER
Let's tell it simply. Surupa Sen and Bijoyini Satpathy represent the best of the future of Odissi dance. Says critic Ashish Khokar: "They'll do to Odissi what Indrani Rehman did 40 years ago."

Consider why. The two have unloosened Odissi. They have imparted to it a spontaneity that is attracting younger audiences. Perhaps it is because they rounded off their training at Protima Bedi's Nrityagram, where they are both star performers and teachers. "Protima believed in a holistic approach to dance," explains Sen. "It meant exposure to yoga, Kalaripayattu, meditation, mime and the inter-related disciplines."

Both have tremendous grasp of laya, or rhythm, aesthetics and ang sanchalan (movement). Sen is the more creative one, more articulate. She has expanded her work into choreographing new numbers under Kumudini Lakhia. If Sen is graceful, lyrical, Satpathy is full of poise, a command performer. This is the doyenne-to-be of uninhibited Odissi of sheer force. "We have made our sacrifices," says Satpathy. "Now we want to reach out to a pan-Indian audience." Watch and be delivered.

-S. Sahaya Ranjit

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