Anila Sunder
Anila Sunder | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | India |
Occupation | Kathak and Odisi dancer |
Known for | Sindhi Ballets |
Anila Sunder is an Indian classical dancer - Kathak and Odissi exponent[1] belonging to Sindhi community.[2] She experimented with various themes and used folk dance to give a shape to Sindhi Dance Drama.[3] Some of her ballets include Sindhu that depicted the lost civilization of Mohenjodaro, Sikka Sajan Jee – love legends of Sindh, Theeu Na Juda Jani Munkhaan – questioning love versus wealth, and Sindh Munhinjee Amma - narrated stories of trials and tribulations of Sindhis from the India partition days.[4]
Early life[]
Anila Sunder was born on the 11th of November in Ulhasnagar[5] to medical practitioners Dr Nanki and Dr.Gobind Makhijani. She obtained a Masters Degree Clinical Psychology at Mumbai University and was a lecturer at Jai Hind College, Mumbai. She passed the Kathak Examination from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad at the age of 11.[6] She trained under Guru Hazarilal[6] and Damayanti Joshi, and then later under Vijay Kumar Shreshtha.[2]
Career[]
She made her debut in the inter-collegiate classical dance competition at a Youth Festival organised by the University of Bombay in 1968.[7] In 1971, she visited Japan as a Youth Exchange programme student sponsored by Lions Club of Bombay.[8] Anila later learned Odissi from Gurus Natbar Maharana and Shankar Behra.[7] She performed in 1999 at the Sixth International Sindhi Sammelan (Convention) in Orlando and with Long Island Sindhi Association in New York. In 1998 and 2000, she performed in Leh at Sindhu Darshan Mahotsav.[5] Apart from India and USA, Sunder has performed in various countries like Japan, West Africa, UAE, Scandinavian countries, United Kingdom.[9]
Dance Ballets[]
Sindhiyat Jee Surhan[]
Sindhiyat Jee Surhan translates to ‘Fragrance of the Sindhi Way of Life’. Anila based it on popular Sindhi festivals like Thadri that occurs on the eve of Janmashtami, Teejri - another festival which is an equivalent of Karvachuath among Punjabis of India, Uttaran - a festival that coincides with Makar Sankranti, and also Cheti Chand - which is the New Year's day for Sindhis - the birth day of Sindhi Deity Jhule Lal.[8]
Sindhi Munhinjee Amma[]
Sindhi Munhinjee Amma brings to light the India-Pakistan partition and the impact of it on the Sindhi community, that went through the tragedy and trauma of being uprooted, to be settled in India. Anila plays a woman who was born in Sindh and goes through the turmoil of the partition.[10]
Sika Sajan Jee[]
Sika Sajan Jee translates to ‘Longing for the Loved One’. This dance ballet is based on the stories of the six heroines of the immortal Sindhi Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif. Anila depicts the yearning of Moomal, the agony of Sasui, the chastity of Maruee, the ecstasy of Noori, the repentance of Leelan, and the courage of Sohini.[8]
Theeu Na Juda Jani Munkhaan[]
This dance ballet takes its inspiration from ‘Sur Saamoondi’, written by the Sindhi poet Shah Abdul Latif.[11]Nai Duniya reported the presentation to be impressive and enchanting during one of the performances.[12]
Geet Govind[]
She also performed a Hindi version of Geet Govind that was translated by professor Setpal. The ballet narrated the stories and emotions between Radha and Krishna.[13]
Charitable Performances[]
Anila Sunder also actively performed for social causes. In 1975, Anila performed in Nigeria for a fund raiser organized by Indian Women Residents in Lagos for the National Women Society of Nigeria.[14] In India, she performed for the cancer hospital in Jabalpur in 2001[15] and also for raising funds for Kanyadan of poor girls in Bombay.[16]
References[]
- ^ "Kathak dancer Anila Sunder to perform at a cultural event organised by Suhini Sindhi Sanstha in Mumbai - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
- ^ a b "Meet Anila Sunder a Danseuse of grace and charm". Bharat Ratna. July 1985.
- ^ Das, Ujjayini (November 2003). "Bridge Across Forever". The Indian Express.
- ^ Srivastava, Abha (February 2002). "Cuff Parade's Dancing Queen". Downtown Plus.
- ^ a b "सिंधी लोकनृत्य में पगी एक कत्थक शैली". Navbharat Times. August 2002.
- ^ a b "Anila Sunder | Sindhi Sangat". www.sindhisangat.com. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
- ^ a b "Sindhi Artist, Sindhi Kalakar Anila Sunder Details". sindhyat.com. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
- ^ a b c Jotswani, Motilal (March 1986). "Anila Sunder - a gifted Kathak Dancer". The Evening News.
- ^ Reporter, A. Staff. "Sindhi community to usher in new year in style". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
- ^ "Lahore Declaration rekindles Anila's hope to realise her dream: a performance in Sindh". The Indian Express. June 1999.
- ^ "विद जी पायल छमकैन्दी". Navbharat Times. November 1986.
- ^ "सिंधी नृत्य नाटिका की मोहक प्रस्तुति". Nai Duniya.
- ^ "Involved Portrayal". Times of India.
- ^ "N 2000 Collected". Independent Nigeria.
- ^ "Dancer Anila Sunder to perform for Cancer Hospital". The Hitavada.
- ^ "Bombay Sindhi Dance Ballet". Femina (India).
- Kathak exponents
- Odissi dancers
- Sindhi people
- Living people