About Vanessa Muri
Montreal City Editor Vanessa Muri has lived in London and Tokyo, but finds the charms of her hometown irresistible. From the latest scoops to the best deals in Montreal and everything in between, don't miss her weekly take on life in the fair city.
Dance A Little Dream
montreal musings Montreal
(Sep.30.09)
I have always wanted to visit India…
But the distance has thus far proved too much for my agenda (never mind my pocketbook.) After all, I’d want to spend at least a month travelling around the country, soaking up all the history and culture.
So when I saw the event on Facebook for “A magical evening of Indian music and dance in a beautiful, acoustic setting”, how could I resist? A chance to delve a little deeper into the mystery while further exploring the Montreal arts scene.
Jennifer Horvath, owner of Spa Zazen in Old Montreal, opened her beautiful studio to Shawn Mativetsky on the tabla (Indian hand drums), Jacob Charkey on violoncelle and Sudeshna Maulik performing Kathak dance. .jpg)
During the first hour, Shawn and Jacob provided us with a haunting pentatonic raga to the tiger goddess Durga, followed by an improvised tabla solo.
Then Sudeshna told ancient stories and myths through dance, and the result was hypnotizing.
Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from northern India. Its beginnings trace back to the nomadic story tellers of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks.
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Just as Shawn’s quick hands dazzled us with their speed, her feet were a complete blur as she moved across the floor. Hence the hazy nature of this photo! (Click here for a more accurate look at what we saw.)
The audience was spellbound.
For your chance to take a mystical journey to India, catch Shawn, Jacob and Sudeshna at McGill tomorrow night at 7:30pm as part of the Journée internationale de la musique. At only $10, it's a voyage worth taking.