THE Nadira and Indranie Shah Dance Troupe, is putting on its annual dance production Nrityageet on the anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana.

The production is in its 28th years and owes tribute to the two sisters, one living in Umea, Sweden and the other in Virginia, USA, who return to Guyana every year for the staging.

This year, the opening sequence takes stock of the cultures that existed in Guyana before the indentured labourers arrived from India, and then, the choreography moves to shows the assimilation of the different cultures.

The entire production centers its choreography on Indian, Caribbean, Western and Middle Eastern influences.

The group has been recognized for its standard of excellence in Guyana, receiving a national award to its credit.

The two sisters are joined by two other main dancers, namely Suzanne Shaw Mohamed (daughter of another Shah sister Seeta Mohamed) Mohamed and student Rewattie Datt. Seeta Mohamed is the set direct director and she promises an “unusual and captivating” set this year.
The almost 60 dancers are university, high school and primary school students or teachers. Although with a strong Indo-Guyanese input, choreographies increasingly reflect an international repertoire incorporating dance styles from Guyana’s multi-cultural background and drawing from global trends.

At the same time the group seeks to maintain its original form of Kathak, Orisian and Indian folk.

Nadira and Indira Shah are Kathak dancers, while Susanne’s competence includes classical and modern ballet.

Nrityageet’s senior dancers under the name “Demerara Dancers” have been performing at conference openings and major cultural programme around the country.

Dancers have performed in the United States, Germany, Sweden, and have attended workshops conducted by Asian, Latin American and African Dance groups.

Nrityageet dance schools are in Guyana, Barbados, USA and Sweden.

This year’s performances would be held at the National Cultural Centre on May 5 and 6, with a matinee performance on May 4.