Every week listeners hear stories about race and identity that expand their minds, and learn practical ways to make their lives better. It’s lifelong learning that ranges from the big picture to tiny details and everything in between.
(Courtesy of Usiloquy Dance Designs/Wide Eyed Studios)
As an immigrant from India, I’m always attracted to art forms that remind me of the country I grew up in. One that I’ve found in Philadelphia is Usiloquy Dance Design, a contemporary dance company that creates original works rooted in the Indian classical dance style of bharatanatyam. But this is not your grandmother’s typical bharatanatyam, according to the group’s founder and artistic director Shaily Dadiala.
WHYY host Priyanka Tewari sat down with Dadiala to learn more about the company’s latest presentation called “Philadholphia” debuting Saturday, Nov. 12 at Fringe Arts Theatre. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Note: This transcript has been edited for clarity.
So let’s talk about “Philadholphia”. What can people expect? What is the show all about?
Dadiala: I bet anyone from South Asia or the South Asian diaspora has heard of a dhol. It’s a double faced barrel shaped drum [a percussion instrument]. It’s an invocation to join fanfare, to be part of a community. I think Philadelphia was established so that dhol could neatly fit in between this beautiful city’s name.
Flavors of the East and South America find a home in Philadelphia
Local entrepreneurs announce plans to expand all natural fruit flavored ice cream business beyond Philadelphia.
4 weeks ago
It fits perfectly! “Philadholphia” features a dance performance called chaat. Explain what chaat is?
Dadiala: Chaat is something I originally choreographed in 2008-2009. The idea was chaat, this street food, has so many complexities. Then we have this powerful medium, the dance style, that is so many centuries old that we’re keeping alive. I wanted to choreograph something that reflected the elements, individual elements that make up a chaat dish: the flavors, the textures, how they are distinct – but also how they all come together harmoniously in the end to make a perfect dish.
“Philadholphia” also features a musical performance by Rini, a New Jersey-based musician who melds her carnatic music background with western influences. So how did that collaboration with Rini come about?
Dadiala: I had the pleasure of being part of a small, intimate concert where Rini was playing. Rini grew up in a very different part of India than me. She grew up in Chennai, so the language she speaks is very different. Yet it occurred to me that she was doing with carnatic classical music, which is again a very distinct, regimented music style, she was doing with it what I have been doing with bharatanatyam all these years. She wants her culture and her music traditions to be seen for what they are. At the same time she wants to go the extra mile in not alienating diverse audiences. And pushing the music, also that this music can do different things. It can. It doesn’t have to be set in stone. I told Rini the Philadelphia audience is very interested and they are invested in different kinds of art forms. They want to learn more. They want to experiment. They want to investigate. And, You have to be seen here with your fellow musicians and I’m so glad she said yes.
Gift/Deeds exhibit at PAFA highlights selections of 20th century art
WHYY’S Priyanka Tewari spoke to the museum curator and the art collector whose collection is part of the Gift/Deeds exhibit at PAFA.
2 weeks ago
What would you say to somebody who’s kind of on the fence about checking you guys out and this performance of “Philadholphia”?
Dadiala: I would say you’d surprise yourself. Give us a chance. Although this is carnatic music and bharatanatyam both… very old traditions, centuries old. They have continued, but they also have adapted and changed and transformed with time, just like we have. So people might be slightly surprised about how receptive they are. They might see themselves reflected in the dancers. Ankita, Meghna, Antima, Aney, Meena, Anusha. The things we talk about. One that comes to mind is in one piece we are making an allusion to how Martin Luther King Jr. was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s salt march. That basic humanity, that human to human connection, is something that we all have a responsibility to look out for. Not be bound simply by geographic decisions. You do not have to have any reference, any knowledge to come and savor this.
Get the WHYY app!
Stream WHYY-FM, read the top stories from WHYY News, and listen to the latest podcast from WHYY Digital Studios — anytime, anywhere.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
‘Glide and enjoy yourself’: Philly’s free indoor ice rinks are the place to go this fall and winter
Philadelphia has five indoor ice skating rinks across the city. All of them are open to skaters of all levels and offer opportunities to learn — for free.
1 day ago
Philadelphia Jewish Film Fest, Philadholphia, Joan Osborne, and Love Your Park Day, in this week’s ‘Things to Do’
Nov. 10-13: Art reigns in Philly, ‘Fantasticks’ in N.J., and Max Jobrani in Delaware are among this weekend’s highlights.
2 days ago
Can light-based art improve your health? This Philly exhibition wants to find out
The Jefferson University Center for Immersive Arts for Health is using a gallery exhibition to experiment with ways art can improve medical appointments.
4 days ago
Big jump in Delaware flu patients, state launches online dashboard to track cases
The Delaware Bay’s female horseshoe crabs spared from commercial harvesting for another year
Some New Jersey veterans say the state should ‘do a whole lot better’ by them
Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal
WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community.
WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. It’s how we live.
215.351.1200
[email protected]
302.516.7506
[email protected]
© WHYY MMXXII
WHYY is partnered with