Shakti Weaves Stories With Dazzling Artistry

While many Angelenos were tuned into the fourth-season opener of “The Sopranos” on Sunday night, another drama of lust, greed, murder and revenge was unfolding at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. But this one ends in moral triumph.

Viji Prakash, artistic director-choreographer of Shakti Dance Company, is celebrating the troupe’s 25th anniversary with a full-length production of “Baghvad Gita.” The ambitious, three-hour-plus work succeeded brilliantly. Prakash, aided by sumptuous costumes, exquisite lighting, stellar live musical accompaniment and divine dancing, has fashioned the ancient Hindu lessons of the Bhagavad-Gita (Absolute Truth), into a drama interweaving other portions of the Hindu epic, the “Mahabharata” (Great War).

Essentially a battle between good and evil, the tale of warring factions overseen by Lord Krishna plays out in two acts and 14 scenes, all danced in South India’s classical idiom bharata natyam. Characterized by elaborate arm and hand gestures, mimetic acting and the slapping of bare feet rhythmically enhanced by ankle bells, the dancing proved thrilling in virtuosic solo work, as well as in precise unison moves of the silk-swirling corps, at times numbering 13 dancers.

It was Prakash’s beatific presence as a wide-eyed Krishna, though, that brought the drama together. Whether holding a pose or deftly beating time with her feet, she reigned supreme--as does Krishna in the end of the story--in a glittering headdress.

Also dancing spectacularly in a variety of warring roles: Ajit Bhaskaran Das, whose leaps seemed to float earthward; Mythili Prakash (Viji’s daughter), in an adroit death scene; Harikrishna Kalyanasundaram’s noble turns upped the testosterone level; and Uma Kadekodi and Madhvi Venkatesh, gloriously spun around the floor on their knees.

The full house on hand responded with a standing ovation.

A Southland treasure, Shakti will tour this extravaganza to other cities, including Houston and San Francisco.