Princeton Festival presents it's First Ever Indian Dance and Music Performance - 2015

Princeton Festival presents it's First Ever Indian Dance and Music Performance

JUNE 27, 2015 (Princeton, NJ) – On June 27th, the Princeton Festival will be presenting it's first ever performance of Indian dance in its ten year history. The debut of kathak dance and world drums ensemble Pradhanica is part of the festival's vision to make the month long festival a multi-faceted performing arts experience.

Since 2005, the festival has offered fully-staged operas, musical theater, jazz, chamber music, symphonic concerts, piano, organ and vocal recitals, dance, and more. "This is not just opera and musical theater. It's much more," says Richard Tang Yuk, artistic director of the festival. "This year is our most diverse with artists like Pradhanica as part of this season. As we diversify, we appeal to more people and allow our regular attendees to experiment."

The desire to have the festival reflect the diversity of Princeton is what led Tang Yuk to seek out an Indian ensemble. “It was a matter of great pride to be invited to perform at the festival,” shares Jin Won, the choreographer, principal dancer, and co-creator of Pradhanica. Won, a native of South Korea, lived in India for 15 years studying Indian classlcal music (tabla) and kathak under reputed gurus. Through Pradhanica, she "want(s) to share the beauty of Indian classical arts with those who are not familiar with them, and at the same time present something new for classical dance lovers." 

Pradhanica is a collaboration between Won and rhythm maestro and composer Pandit Divyang Vakil, which explores how rhythm unites dance and music. The ensemble delves deep into the lyrical landscape of rhythm, and how drumming shapes kathak and vice versa. While Pradhanica's performance showcases nriitta, pure dance, and natya, expressive dance – the two components of Indian classical dance, it does it with a modern presentation and instrumentation. In addition to the tabla and sitar, djembe and cajon also make up the instrumentation for dance performance.

“Pradhanica's expertise and vibrant presentation is sure to delight our audience,” adds Yang Tuk. Specially priced student tickets are also available to make it a family event.

The Princeton Festival will be presenting Pradhanica at the McCarter's Berlind Theatre on June 27, 2015 at 8pm. Tickets are $45 Front Orchestra, $30 Rear Orchestra, $15 Students. For more information, visit princetonfestival.org or 609.759.0379. More information on the artists is available at pradhanica.com.

Pictures can be downloaded here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

About Princeton Festival

Since 2005, the Princeton Festival has offered fully-staged operas, musical theater, jazz, chamber music, symphonic concerts, piano, organ and vocal recitals, dance, world music, and a piano competition. We feature nationally-renowned professional artists as well as partner with New Jersey performing arts organizations, garnering glowing reviews from critics of The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Opera News, Opera Magazine, and New Jersey press. We are especially proud to have been awarded the coveted Citation of Excellence from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts in 2013.

We also offer a free public lecture series prior to each season and engage students and adults alike through our intergenerational educational programs.

About Pradhanica

Pradhanica is a enthralling dance and world drum ensemble created and composed by renowned Indian rhythm composer Pandit Divyang Vakil, and choreographed by Jin Won.  The graceful and powerful Indian dance form of Kathak comes together with high-energy drumming on the cajon, djembe, and tabla.  A multi-ethnic ensemble brought together by the pervasive power of rhythm.

“The treasure was “Pradhanica.”  Percussion drove this work, which illuminated various Indian rhythms in enticingly offbeat ways…Ms. Won’s musicality transformed her dancing into something primal. The tension between wildness and control was a hallmark of Pradhanica.“ – New York Times

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