When rays of sunlight permeate water droplets, the clear, crystal-like droplets refract the light, unleashing the spectrum of colors thus creating a Rainbow. Dance, when it is expressed through the lens of language and articulates itself through vivid Indian performing art forms, emanates a rich cultural experience as colorful as the Rainbow. The aesthetic values of Bharathanatyam and Kathak -the two major dance styles of the Indian Subcontinent - are very extensive because of their intensive movement, rhythm, and emotion. The eloquence of human dance needs no language; but with an imaginative, exquisite lyric, dance will be more laudable. Rainbow II narrates the various stages of human life through the artistic fusion of East Indian dance with western languages, to make for a universal theater production.

Rainbow II travels through the fascinating world of creative and artistic literary works of the English language by American, British and Indian poets. It spans the experiences of love, romance, lust, greed and other facets of human personality. Inspired by this abundance, Guru Prasanna Kasthuri journeys through this vast literature with his art; enjoying the literature of masters, and expressing them through his dance experience, which he obtained from decades of learning and performing. Hence, works of famous poets such as William Shakespeare, W B Yeats, Maya Angelou, William Wordsworth and John Keats, have been selected to be choreographed in an Indian way. Grammy Award winner Vishwamohan Bhat has set the music for this exemplary work. Rainbow II is a bridge which makes Indian arts more accessible and appreciable. This is a mutually beneficial opportunity for the performing art forms to expand its range and for literature to seek new domains.

Rainbow II is an intersection of a eastern & western intellect through movement, expression and emotion.

Where the Mind is without Fear

A poetic selection from “Geetanjali” by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.   Mr.Tagore, respected as the national poet of Indian Subcontinent lived during the independence movement of India, inspired millions of Indians with his poetry. Man’s ability to live in freedom and think independently was of paramount importance to Tagore. His attitudes toward politics and culture; nationalism and internationalism; tradition and modernity; can all be seen in light of these beliefs. Kathak bols (rhythmical phrases) are interspersed to enhance the intent of the  poetry.

Rainbow

William Wordsworth, whose great distinguishing characteristic is his sense of the mystic relationship between man and nature, describes life’s revolving activities through this poem. Jatis (Rhythmical Phrases from south)  intertwined with English poetry to the intricate Adavus (basic Bharathanatyam movements) portray the colors of life through rare ragas (melodies of classical music) and colorful costumes.

On the Sea Shore

Rabindranath Tagore here features children playing on a universal

Seashore. He contrasts metaphysical and religious ideas with the human world to demonstrate the blissful ignorance of children, who are as yet unaware of  the adult world. Bharathanatyam muktayam (finales) on a Kathak Lehara (repetitive tunes) plays a key role in demonstrating the Sanchari Bhava through heavy Nritta (pure dance).

My Mistress’ Eyes are nothing like the Sun

All-time exalted poet William Shakespeare maintains the originality of his lover’s beauty and transcends the typical metaphors of love poetry in this 130th sonnet. This as an abhinaya (expression ), challenges the traditional Indian dancer to portray the romantic moods of abhimaani naayaka (the hero, who takes prides in his beloved’s beauty).

 Human Seasons

Said to be one of the last poems of John Keats, this dance feature describes “the bright beauty of the day and the scene revived for a moment” according to the poet’s drooping heart. Alaps (free style rendering of raga) in four different Hindustani ragas render a colorful support Gathbhav (moving expression) and demonstrate the abhinaya through graceful hastaks (hand gestures)

When we Two Parted in Silence

A beautiful poem by Lord Byron, that narrates moments of a clandestine relationship shared by a couple that are forced to separate for a period of time. This depicts the typical Virahotkantita Nayika (love-lorn hero) of Natya Shastra (ancient text book of theater from India)

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

 This is a dance about bondage and freedom. With their movements, dancers delve deeply into the miseries of slavery caused by human greed and ego. Prasanna’s imaginations with elaborate rechakas and ranga-akramanas (travelling movements) for the free bird, and short spaced bhouma charis (land based movements) for the caged bird sends strong freedom messages through the simple yet powerful poem of Dr. Maya Angelou.

Tillana/ Tarana

This is an exciting ending for the show with a bang of Nritta (pure dance) in both Kathak and Bharathanatyam Styles. The song is specially created by Pandit Pareshwar Hegde and Vidushi Nagamani Srinath  (Pandit means Mastro and Vidushi is the title given to lady musician who has attained mastery)