DANCE REVIEW : Anjani’s Kathak Dance Comes to Cypress College

Kathak, a classical dance of India, is a storytelling idiom that features rapid-fire footwork, fleet pirouettes, intricate hand movements and highly theatrical facial expressions, as was ably demonstrated by Anjani Ambegaokar and dancers in a program Sunday at Cypress College.

Joining Ambegaokar were the four women of Anjani’s Kathak Dance of India, as well as student dancers from her school, Sundar Kala Kendra. All the performers wore colorful traditional costumes, including ankle bells that punctuated their every move.

The two-act program, “Ritu Sanharam” (Assemblage of Seasons), was divided into seven scenes, with masterful solos by Ambegaokar in each section. The narrative connecting the scenes concerned the passing of the seasons, framed at beginning and end by festivities at a guru’s house. This story line unified the solos and small group arrangements, with the larger formations showcasing the little tykes.

Guest artist Jagdish Gangani nearly stole the show with his dance of Lord Shiva in Act 2. His virtuoso footwork and movie-idol charisma became even more apparent, however, when he and Ambegaokar joined forces for a brief duet near the end of the evening.

The program of nearly 3 1/2 hours did seem under-rehearsed, with clumsy transitions between dances and myriad technical difficulties.

Still, the lingering impression was that of the dancers’ enthusiasm for and devotion to their art.

Accompaniment was provided by an ensemble of instrumentalists and Mala Ganguly’s crystalline vocals. The tireless Ambegaokar and Gangani contributed rhythmic singing whenever they were not dancing.