While watching "The Magic Grove", it is easy to perceive the passion and tradition behind Indian dancing.  As soon as the first scene begins, the dancers carry themselves across the stage with high energy and poise.  The narration compliments the dancers and their fluent movements by engagingly relating the story to the audience.

"The Magic Grove" is a dance-drama performance based on a Jain Fable.  Jainism is an ancient religion of Indian people that has existed for many centuries. Through folk stories, Jain monks uplift the spirit of common people.  This fable derives from the Jain scripture, Vardhamana-Desana.          

Bright and traditional clothing captures your attention along with detailed, flowered headpieces.  The different scenes consist of both storytelling hand movements and coordinated group dancing.  Ghungroos ring and make sound as the dancers complexly move their feet.  Ghungroos are a traditional musical instrument from India that consists of small brass bells that are attached to a bracelet and then strapped around the performers' ankles.  The music created by Ghungroos allows the audience to hear the rhythmic movement of the dancers' feet.    

Like other stories from the Jain tradition, "The Magic Grove" communicates the philosophy that admirable acts bring success and fortune while evil acts will bring gloom and sadness.  Even though in Jain philosophy each individual is in charge of their own destiny, throughout this dance-drama, supernatural elements are significant in each of the characters' destinies. 

Dances of India was the first classical Indian Dance Company to be founded in Missouri. In 1976, Asha Prem founded the company and has since been the Artistic Director.  Dances of India has annual formal concerts, performances and demonstrations for the community, outreach activities, and the company also sponsors and coordinates a collaborative dance showcase each year.   

Watch "The Magic Grove" at http://www.hectv.org/programs/specials/dances-of-india/1667/the-magic-grove/

For more information please visit http://www.dancesofindiastlouis.org/ or call Dances of India at (314) 997-0911.