Classical Indian dancer Shantala Shivalingappa held the audience spellbound yesterday afternoon at the Batha Museum. Despite a shower of rain, which briefly interrupted her intricate steps, the dancer showed why her skills have been in demand by choreographers and theatre directors such as Maurice Bejart, Pina Bausch and Peter Brook.
The style of dance she performed was Kuchipudi, orginating from Andhra Pradesh in the south of India in the 15th century. Shivalingappa told stories with the positions of her eyes, arms and hands, accompanied by the chanting of Jetty Ramesh as well as flute and percussion.
Born in Madras, Shivalingappa was raised in Paris where her mother, renowned dancer Savitry Nair, taught her to dance in the classical Indian style. She has since travelled the world performing at theatres and festivals. Under the giant oak tree, at what was once the Batha Palace, was the perfect setting.
PR women disrupt concert
While it's wonderful to have sponsors such as the Attijariwafa Bank, it would be a good idea to explain to their employees that people at the concerts are generally there to enjoy the music and have spent a great deal of money to come to Fez and attend the Festival. The arrival this afternoon of a busload of bank employees half an hour into the concert was disruptive. The two women organising their arrival talked throughout the concert and used their cellphones all the time. When asked to desist, they simply explained that this was their job and they had to make the calls. It's noticeable that the announcers have stopped reminding patrons to switch off their cellphones during concerts.
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