• Chitrangada - In Quest of Truth
• Shyama - The Royal Courtesan
• Raja - King of the Dark Chamber

Chitrangada - In Quest of Truth

Nandanik Dance Troupe presented  Rabindranath Tagore's "Chitrangada"-In Quest of Truth, a ballet on April 22, 2006 at Marshall Middle School, Wexford, PA

Composed in the 1930s by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Chitrangada is the story of a warrior princess who falls in love with Arjuna, the gallant prince of Mahabharata. Arjuna rejects her because of her valiant but non-effeminate qualities. Chitrangada, who has been the epitome of strength and valor all her life, is suddenly awakened to the reality that a woman physical appeal and feminine charm may be more desirable to even the greatest of heroes. In her quest for Arjuna love, she seeks the intervention of Madana (Cupid, the God of love), who transforms her into a beautiful woman. Chitrangada overwhelms Arjuna with her newly found charm. 

But his mesmerized acceptance dampens her spirit as he has chosen Maya, illusion and temptation, over heroism, sincerity, and truth. Eventually, the hero in Arjuna awakens. A time comes when he overcomes her superficial appeals and seeks redemption from it all. He is touched by the noble princess Chitrangada who is both a mother and a noble ruler of her citizens. Realizing that Truth has shattered the realm of Maya, Chitrangada relinquishes her physical charm to reveal her real self. Their union is marked by sublime glory, true love, and mutual respect.

The music of Chitrangada was specially produced and recorded for Nandanik, under the direction of the Late Shreemati Roma Mondal, a renowned exponent of Rabindra Sangeet. A variety of traditional Indian instruments, such as Sitar, Sarod, Flute, Esraj, Tabla, Pakhawaj, Ghatam, Mridangam, etc., has enriched the musical score. The dances have been choreographed in Bharatanatyam style by Nandini Mandal.

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SHYAMA - The Royal Courtesan

In her desperation to save his life, she devices a dangerously selfish plan with her ardent young admirer Uttiyo, who offers to take the place of Bajrasen at the scaffold.

Shyama and Bajrasen leave the country, and are blissfully lost in each others love. They live happily, but not ever after. At Bajrasens insistence Shyama ultimately discloses the truth. A horrified Bajrasen is instinctively repulsed. Though, the couple separate, their love survives their individual penance. Do they reconcile despite all adversities? You need to see the ending for yourself.

The music for Shyama was produced and recorded under the direction of Pramita Mullick, an eminent Rabindra Sangeet Singer and a regular artiste on All India Radio and television, and Rahul Chattopadhyay, an accomplished Sitarist. A variety of traditional Indian instruments such as Sitar, Sarod, Flute, Esraj, Tabla, Pakhawaj, Ghatam, Mridangam, etc., has enriched the musical score. Biplab Mandal is on the tabla pakhwaj and dhol. Agnibho Bandopadhyay and Supratik Das, two popular Rabindra Sangeet artistes from Kolkata have rendered their voices along with Pramita Mullick. Narration is by Madhumanti Moitra a Kolkata TV persona. The dances in the drama have been choreographed in Bharatanatyam (one of the classical dance forms of India) and folk style by Nandini Mandal.

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