Desai’s Distinctive Vision Beguiles

Whether fluttering her arms, lithely leaping or directing playful moves to ‘50s samba music (in a grainy video), dancer-choreographer Parijat Desai is a major talent who bears watching. In “By Any Stretch,” a five-part program at Highways on Thursday, her distinct vision proved an enchanting blend of modern, jazz and the Indian classical dance called Bharata Natyam, with a dollop of ballet thrown in for amusing measure.

Opening with a Viji Prakash-choreographed solo, “Mudakarath,” Desai adhered to the rigors of Bharata Natyam. Offering clean, crisp, rhythmic attacks, coupled with solid one-legged balancing, she embodied the grace and strength of the South Indian idiom.

Fusing head-bobbing and Broadway-like spinning with foot-slapping and yoga-rooted moves, Desai proved a powerhouse in “Pure Desi,” her own work in progress. Joined by Cindy Chung and Angela Mattox--to a techno/sitar/drum track--this piece surged with excitement.

Desai’s “Listening,” languidly performed by Casey Lee, Eden Lighthipe and Shyamala Moorty, evoked wistfulness, with unisons and circle moves predominating. In “The Wall,” a folk tale of grief (narrated on tape by Medha Yodh), an undulating Desai, dramatically swathed in stretch fabric, resembled a Greek statue at times. Her gesticulating chorus--Chung, Mattox, Moorty, Ting Chi Li and Megan Mille--gave support to a jubilant ending, cartwheeling and clapping.

Desai’s whimsical video, “Trivial Pursuits,” features Kanthi Charugundala, Heidi Mark and Rana Rice flaunting dance styles in pursuit of Ronald Brown. Desai’s voice, fresh and vibrant, is a welcome one.

* Parijat Desai’s “By Any Stretch” continues tonight at 8:30. Highways, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica, $15. (310) 315-1459.