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Dual Margam 5
A Dialogue in Pung Cholom & Odissi
Performers
When rhythm takes flight and grace stands still, something timeless begins to move.
On our next evening of Dual Margam, two powerful classical traditions come together in a rare conversation of contrast and convergence. The soaring, drum-led dynamism of Pung Cholom from Manipur, and the grounded, sculptural flow of Odissi from Odisha.
Traditionally, in Pung Cholom, dancers become percussionists: leaping, spinning, and drumming in mid-air with ecstatic energy and astonishing control. In contrast, Odissi unfolds in slow, sinuous arcs, where each gesture and every glance evokes poetry, myth, and devotion.
In this special performance, the two rhythmic traditions of Pung Cholom and Odissi are interwoven and contrasted: bringing fire to form, and pulse to poetry as the dances come together with complementary aesthetics.
The first in a two-part Odissi-Manipuri conversation, this evening unfolds through two male bodies and will be revisited next month through the feminine form.
The Dual Margam series curates two classical dance forms of India to highlight their similarities and differences. The solo performances honour traditional repertoire (the Margam), while the duet will juxtapose each unique form with another.
Supported by:
Performers
Thingom Brojen Kumar Singha
Thingom Brojen Kumar Singha was introduced to the art of Pung playing (Manipuri percussion) at a very tender age. His artistic skills were nurtured by his family who were highly culturally inclined. His grandfather Late Guru Lalababu Singha was also a renowned drummer in Barak Valley (a major part of North East India).
Thingom Brojen Kumar Singha started taking training in Pung from renowned exponent, Guru Meino Singh of Manipur. Since then he has had the opportunity to be trained by, and work with, many great stalwarts of Manipuri Pung and dance. Namely, Prof. K. Jatindra Singh, the Principal of Sangeet Bhavan, Santiniketan, and Guru Smt. Kalavati Devi, the renowned Manipuri dance guru and recipient of Manipur State Kala Akademi Award and S N A Award. Brojen has even worked with Padmashree Darshana Jhaveri of Mumbai who is also a recipient of S N A Award and Presidency Award Padmashree.
Thingom Brojen Kumar Singha has performed extensively all over India and abroad with Guru Kalavati Devi, Padmashree Darshana Jhaveri and other eminent Manipuri dancers. He has established his own Institute of Fine Arts in Assam and his drummer group has been travelling all over India and abroad. He is the first Manipuri drummer from Assam who has worked as a Pung player at the well known Banasthali Vidyapith University in Rajasthan. He is also the first Pung player to have received the title of ‘Taal Mani’ conferred by Sur Singar Samsad of Mumbai. Since 2013 he has been invited annually by the Shadhona, Centre for Advancement of Southasian Culture, Bangladesh to teach Natasankirtan form, knowledge of temple couturier to stage presentation, and Manipuri.
Krishnendu Saha
Krishnenedu Saha is an Odissi dancer and a senior disciple of Sangeet Natak Academy awardee Guru Sharmila Biswas. He is a ‘B High’ graded artist of Prasar Bharti Doordarshan Kendra, Delhi and recipient of Nalanda Nritya Nipuna Award. He has participated in more than 100 dance festivals across India. Krishnendu is an empanelled artist of SPIC MACAY. After completing his graduation in Zoology, Krishnendu’s passion for Odissi guided him to become a soloist.
He has performed in front of dignitaries and public figures such as PM Shri Narendra Modi, Sadhguru, Governor of Rajasthan Shri Kalraj Mishra and many more. In the year of 2016, Krishnendu’s choreographic work was presented at the President’s house Delhi in front of President Lt. Pranab Mukherjee.
Krishnendu has trained under legendary gurus like Rama Vaidyanathan, Aditi Mangaldas, Neena Prasad along with his own Guru Sharmila Biswas. He runs his own dance institute in Udaipur – Nrityormi School of Odissi. Krishnendu also trains regularly in mime, martial dance and storytelling.
