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The Kalapriya Center for Performing Arts performed a special dance program for students at the John J. Pershing Magnet School Jan. 20 in Chicago, commemorating Martin Luther King’s birth anniversary.
Dancers from the school performed excerpts from the composition ‘Satyagraha: The Power of Truth’, a unique multi-cultural dance collaboration with the Deeply Rooted Dance Theater which explores the intersection of nonviolent protest and the journey into inner conscience through dance.
Arnold Toole, who has been serving on the Kalapriya Board for more than five years, introduced the dancers, Preeti Veerlapati, Krithika Varsha, Tim Browser and Ariel Toole, and talked about the links between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King.
The dance program commenced with a Pushapanjali (the opening invocation) by dancer Ariel Toole. Together, the group performed three pieces, including ‘Ahimsa’, a powerful dance which depicted Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent protests against unfair salt tax imposed by British East India Company in 1930 and ‘Soul Journey’ which was about facing and accepting challenges.
The 400-plus students from Pershing Magnet School were enthralled by the powerful dance movements and gestures and cheered throughout the performance, expressing their awe and appreciation for the dancers.
After the performances, there was a question and answer session with the students who asked questions to the dancers about their costumes, jewelry, ethnic backgrounds, and why they learned to dance.
“I really see dance as a form of nonverbal expression, I get to laugh, cry, display strength and war without ever having to say a single word. This is why I love to dance”, said Krithika Varsha when she was asked by a 3rd grade student why she learned how to dance.
“I have never seen this kind of dance before, their moves were so graceful and powerful, I want to learn how to dance like that,” said another 7th grade student.
Kalapriya plans to continue to expand its reach into 20 Chicago Public Schools this year and is planning to hold teaching sessions for students in 6-8 grades at the Pershing school in the spring.
Toole said they plan to bring Kalapriya to more than 20 Chicago Public Schools, promoting South Asian art, music and dance.
“We are delighted to be able to bring Indian culture to the students across Chicago schools. We hope we can teach many people about this dance form and see it expand outside South Asian communities,” Arnold Toole said.
The post Special Dance Performance By Kalapriya Marks King’s Birthday appeared first on News India Times.
