Episode One
Marthyam by Sheejith Krishna & Group
Six Styles – by Lata, Gita & Group

The light from the sun’s rays, and the sounds of nature, inspired Man to start responding to rhythm and that was man’s first dance. The first episode features an extract from MARTHYAM – an innovative dance item where the poet describes the evolution of man and imagines how the early man might have started responding to rhythm, dancing to the sound of rain drops and thunder showers. Each region of India has its own unique folk and classical dance forms, but they all share a common heritage rooted in the ancient text Natyashastra written by sage Bharata. All the styles have links with the ancient and medieval literary, sculptural and musical traditions of India and of their particular regions. The differences and commonness of the Six major classical dance styles of India: Bharatanatyam from Tamilnadu, Odissi from Orissa, Manipuri from Manipur, Kathak from Uttar Pradesh, Mohiniattam from Kerala and Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh is brought out by a specially choreographed dance number.

Episode Two
Ras Leela – from Mathura
Kathak by Nalini & Kamalini

This episode highlights Kathak, the classical dance form of Northern India with its graceful twirls and breathtaking footwork. Originating in the Krishna-Radha folk dances of Mathura and Brindava, Kathak is still dominated by Radha-Krishna themes. This episode beings with Ras-Leela, a folk number performed by residents of Mathura and Brindavan. Young boys dress up as Krishna, Radha and gopikas and perform Ras-Leela, not for mere entertainment alone but as a mode of worship. Kathak, was refined to its present sophistication in the courts of the Nawabs, the Islamic influence being quite evident. The star of the 20th century Sitara Devi is past 70. We have a few clips of her performance on stage towards the fag end of her career. The episode features leading stars of the Kathak style, Nalini and Kamalini – the dancing Duo well known for their precission footwork. Nalini and Kamalini are senior disciples of Guru Jitendra Maharaj and perform the Banaras Gharana style of Kathak.

Producer
Dr. Mohana Krishnaswamy
More than two hundred celebrity dancers of India have been brought together for the first time, in this 13 episode TV Serial which features the different classical styles of India as well as several folk art forms across the country.