NOT BOLLYWOOD
LING CONSENSUS
Words Elle Kwan

In 1997, Priya Shome was on a high. Having performed at India’s prestigious Khajuraho festival, she was top of her game. “I was up here,” she says smiling, a hand at her brows. But arriving in Hong Kong in the same year the future felt uncertain. Swiftly, she lowers the hand to her ankles. “I was here,” she whispers.

“That was me,” cries Neesha Jhaveri. “My teacher told me, ‘You are going to this place (Hong Kong)? It has nothing’.”

Both women are professional Indian dancers. Priya specialises in the graceful Keralan Mohini Attam; Neesha in ancient storytelling form Kathak. They are founders of Hong Kong’s only Indian dance company, the Sri Shakti Academy, a training school and producer of shows. Vaamaa, its latest production, combines Indian with Chinese and contemporary dance and even flamenco.

Today, the women sit sipping tea, and tossing around loud, bubbling banter. But it wasn’t always like that. “I was miserable,” remembers Priya, returning to her story. Neesha nods in agreement. She moved here in 2002, the teacher’s prophecy ringing in her ears and found it was all true – there was no Indian dance scene in Hong Kong. Rejecting an invitation to join the diamond trade, she began teaching classes. Priya, meanwhile, was busy fusing traditional choreography with modern texts, but both pined for performance.
In a chance meeting, each recognised in the other a way to realise the dream. “We had the same aim,” Priya says, enthralled by the connection. “We knew we had to create something out there,” Neesha adds.

Colourful sell-out show Panchabhoota marked the group’s stunning debut in 2004, despite sceptical resistance, including much from the Indian community. “They would say, ‘This is not Bollywood, it’s not going to sell,’ or ‘Forget it, get a celebrity!’” mimics Priya, frowning. But audiences were amazed at the professional quality and the sceptics were forced to swallow their sour words. The idea was a “complete harebrained thing,” says Priya, yet the outcome proved hugely successful, and a perfect base from which to launch new ideas.

Vaamaa focuses on the all-encompassing theme of feminine energy, following life from conception through to death. Various dance styles are blended seamlessly and performed in dazzling modern costumes in red, black and gold. “Visually it’s a treat,” says Sri Shakti organiser Jyoti Ramesh.

In its long history Indian dance came under threat twice: when the Mogul Emperor Aurangzeb banned it in the 17th century and during Queen Victoria’s strict colonial reign. Each time, spirited devotees fought to see it resurrected. In similar vein, the joyous women of Sri Shakti have awakened a cultural interest long forgotten by Hong Kong’s Indians, and even introduced it into the wider community. The road has been long and bumpy, but by combining styles – a rarity in India – Sri Shakti has embraced this country’s freedoms, sharing old techniques with a modern attitude. And that, says Neesha, is where the future lies.

Vaamaa, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, September 15 – 16, 8pm. Tickets: $100, $150, $200 from Urbtix – 2734 9009. For programme enquiries, contact Jade Group on 9641 8214.