The Indian Express -- Leisure

Wednesday, November 05 1997

TODAY'S CROSSWORD TODAY'S ZODIAC

Kathak, now what next?

When Kumudini Lakhia, the renowned Kathak exponent and choreographer, presented her contemporary work Atah Kim (Now, what next?) at the annual Kathak Mahotsav in the capital in 1980, Kathak seemed to have taken a quantum leap. Those who witnessed the performance were taken aback by the sheer power of Kathak cast in an unusual mould. There was no Krishna, no Radha, no river banks of Jamuna, no bowers of Brindavan, no stealing of butter and no females looking seductively through the ghoonghat.

The first strings

The ultimate revelation -- that's what one could call music. Vested with qualities that refine, pacify and elevate, music -- the universal language -- is both an art and a science. Fundamentally, Indian music is one but two systems have evolved over the years. Hindustani music of the North and Carnatic music of the South, with each having its own distinctive colour, approach and presentation.

Russian Laika has his day

Russian space scientists have unveiled a plaque to mark the 40th anniversary of the first living creature sent into space Laika, a mongrel dog that died during the famous flight. Laika, a stray found on the streets of Moscow, literally rocketed to fame aboard a Soviet space ship on November 3, 1957. The flight came only a month after the Soviets launched the space race by putting into orbit the first man-made satellite, Sputnik.

Russian Laika has his day

Kathak, now what next?

The first strings

Expressions

Event Index -- Krishna's devotee

Pick Week