Actor-danseuse Hema Malini to present dance fest in Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) Hema Malini is etched in public consciousness as among top ranking actresses of Bollywood in the 70s and 80s who vowed the cinegoers with her breathtaking beauty and tremendous grace that came across in her various film roles during those two decades.

Running parallel to the acting career of yesteryear's Bollywood diva are her services in promoting classical dance forms over the past few decades.

Known as Bollywood's "Dream Girl", Hema Malini's unending passion for classical dance forms will be in evidence during 'Krishna Ras', a two-day festival of dance ballets based on four stages of Lord Krishna's divine life.The festival will be held in the Capital on September 8 and 9.

Being organised by Natyavihar Kalakendra, an institution concieved in 1972 by Hema Malini to exhibit her dedication to dance and other art forms, the series of ballets at the festival seek to portray Lord Krishna's life through the four women, who were closely associated with him through the four stages of his life - Yashoda, Radha, Meera and Draupadi.

Addressing a press conference here to announce the dance festival, to be held at the Siri Fort auditorium, the actor dancer-parliamentarian said she had organised the festival in Mumbai last year.

''It's huge success at Mumbai last year led me to bring the festival in Delhi this year,''Hema said.

Admitting to be an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, Hema said,''the attraction of Lord Krishna lies in his multifaceted personality - as child, lover, God and philosopher. I have tried to combine all aspects of his life in these four ballets. As an ardent devotee of Krishna, I would say that these four ballets are very close to my heart.'' At the same time, she said the aim of the festival was not just to showcase the classical dance forms like Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam but also present music, poetry, painting and sculpture by well known artists.

''Through the festival, we also aim to elevate the audience in a spiritual mood by making them forget their day-to-day worries. It is thus an endeavour to help provide them some relief from their mundane daily existence,'' Hema said.

A unique feature of the festival is that Hema and her troupe of 30 artists will perform the ballets for 24 hours at a stretch, beginning at 1600 hrs on Saturday and ending at 1800 hrs on Sunday.

Asked about the secret behind the boundless energy that came across in her dance performances, Hema said,''it is Krishna who has inspired all arts. As for me, Krishna inspires me to dance, what has been my undying passion since an early age.'' Her passion for classical dance forms encouraged Hema to launch 'Natyavihar Kalakendra' in 1972 to promote clasical dance and other art forms. Over the years, Hema and her troupe of accompanying artists have given innumerable charity performances under the banner of 'Natyavihar Kalakendra' both in India and abroad. Her mastery of this art form has found appreciation from audience all over the world, winning her several titles in India and abroad in recognition of her services to classical dance.

UNI