Odissi dancer Jaya Mehta’s book takes young readers across India on an expedition through various dance forms
Odissi dancer Jaya Mehta’s book takes young readers across India on an expedition through various dance forms
You must have seen stories through dance, but here is a book that tells stories of dance forms. Odissi dancer-guru Jaya Mehta writes her new book dance stories dance stories for kids After his start as a writer with Poetry Saree, a collection of dance poems. With an eye-catching design by Swati Chakraborty and illustrations by Suruba Natalia, the 80-page picture book published by the National Book Trust of India narrates the stories of nine Indian dance forms. “A child discovers an Indian classical dance through each story,” Jaya, a Delhi-based, says over the telephone.
dance form
Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Kathakali, Kathak, Chhau, Mohiniattam and Sattriya are dance forms. Jaya has also added a little Bihu dance form to the Sattriya story. Considering it impossible to incorporate all regional dance traditions, they have tried to bring in native flavours, cities, temples, statues and children to watch the dance recital with their parents. “The book is not just about dance; The child is an integral part of it.”
danceWas her ‘Labor of Love’ written almost a decade ago when, as a young mother, she couldn’t find any fiction/illustration books on dance and music for her children to read. “I found story books on ballet, flamenco and Balinese dance. I felt the world transmitting its beautiful dance forms and culture through story books. India has eight classical dances and hundreds of regional dances with so much color and aesthetics! I also thought of the children who didn’t learn to dance and explore the form of dance and belong to the culture.”
Based on some imaginary and real experiences, dance… takes readers on a journey across India, as seen through the eyes of its protagonists – children – as they change homes, watch exhibits, learn new art forms and also discover How technology meets culture.
magical world
Jaya Mehta | photo credit: special arrangement
For example, eight-year-old Tisha is upset about her father’s transfer to Manipur. Being away from her friends and family comforts is stressful for the girl whose only companion is Krishna, a Manipuri doll. Her world changes when she discovers the magic of Manipuri dance.
In the Bharatanatyam story, a villager, Shankar, is watching a dance festival with his grandfather in Mahabalipuram. Infatuated, he sets out to learn the dance form. The Kathakali story is based on Jaya’s family trip to Varkala, Kerala to see a performance. At the end of each chapter additional information is given about each dance form, its costume, the movements of the dancers or the unique characteristics of the dance form.
With this foray into children’s fiction, Jaya’s storytelling period as a multimedia artist has come to an end. “I’m driven by an inner voice. I think it’s easier to fill one’s CV with presentations. When the mind starts looking for more context and wants to address the shortcomings, you can’t stop yourself. You Feel the need and work in this direction.
Nritya Katha Dance Stories for Kids by Jaya Mehta priced at ₹220, Chitra Suruba Natalia is available online and at select book stores across India.