From Kathak to Kathakali, a collective ode to India

On the morning of Independence Day, the media centre of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) released ‘Vande Mataram’ — featuring Kathak dancer Sangita Chatterjee along with Shashwati Garai Ghosh (Odissi), Parshwanath Upadhye (Bharatanatyam), Kankana Singh (Manipuri), Anwesa Mahanta (Sattriya), Amrita Lahiri (Kuchipudi), Shyam Das (Kathakali) and Jayaprabha Menon (Mohiniyattam).

The chief patron is Ram Bahadur Rai (president IGNCA), concept for the film is by Sachchidanand Joshi (member secretary, IGNCA); film direction, cinematography and editing by Lubdhak Chatterjee; while project supervision is by Anurag Punetha (controller, Media Centre, IGNCA).

Sangita, the brain behind the idea and creation of the film, says: “I grew up watching ‘Mile sur mera tumhara’ and wanted to create something similar, where integration of all eight classical dance forms can weave a national statement. India can never be understood in silos, it has an embedded integration of an innumerable knowledge system, whether it is heritage, dance, music, textile or narratives. Hence, the 150th year of ‘Vande Mataram’ became the opportune time to visualise this theme into a thread that celebrates unity in diversity.”

The film, a Kalpataru Arts presentation, has music direction and arrangement by Anirban Bhattacharyya and has been shot in East Kolkata Wetlands and Baruipur, Guptipara (West Bengal), Guwahati, Bengaluru, National Crafts Museum & Hastakala Academy (Delhi), Nahar Singh Palace (Faridabad), NIV Art Centre & Film Studios (Delhi), Uttara Guruvayurappan Temple (Mayur Vihar), and IGNCA.

Lubdhak Chatterjee, director of the film, says: “Indian classical dance forms, with their diversities, offer immense possibilities for cinematic renditions by integrating themes and locations as a part of a holistic experience. We are grateful to Sangita, IGNCA and the entire team of artistes and collaborators for this memorable ride.”