Indian dance to aid children in Darfur, Mideast
Dancers and musicians from India will take the stage on September 3 and 4 at the Herod Atticus Theater in a performance jointly organized by the Indian Embassy in Athens and Doctors of the World – Greece. The extravaganza, titled «India: Then, Now and Forever,» is dedicated to the children of Darfur and the civilian casualties in the Middle East, with proceeds from the two performances going toward these causes. Using dance, music, narrative and songs, the performance illustrates moments in the cultural and political history of the great Asian nation from antiquity to the present, with the participation of artists from the Darpana Performing Arts Group, led by top Indian dance performer Malika Sharabhai. Known not only as a dancer, choreographer and actress (she has worked with Peter Brook), Sharabhai is also a political activist who uses her performances as a forum to raise public awareness and instigate debate on a variety of environmental and social issues, especially regarding gender equality and the role of women in contemporary society. She is known to use her sharp sense of humor to draw in the audience and imbues her performances with positive messages that help the public see issues in a new light. The Darpana Performing Arts Group has performed extensively around the world and comprises artists trained in dance, music, theater and the martial arts. The style of their performances ranges from the classical to the modern, from the traditional to the musical. Tickets for the performance are on sale at the Athens Festival box office (39 Panepistimiou, tel 210.327.2000). For information, call 210.600.4051.
