Song, dance and recital came together in an impressive performance of Tagore's dance- drama, Chitrangada. On stage were a troupe of young ones from Maple Leaf International School who rendered the story of Arjuna and Chitrangada (characters from the Mahabharata) on September 6 and 7. The crowded venue was the Shishu Academy.

A responsive audience clapped after every scene as the performers went through their paces. Particularly catching were the Bharatnatyam and Manipuri dancers and the Tagore songs. The dance-drama involved a lot of hard work, says Azizur Rahman Tuhin, director of Chitrangada-two months of rehearsals, to be exact. In his words, "The show was like a game, a game which one won or lost. I think I won because my students gave a superb performance. However, I have to add that it was difficult to direct children, since they are not professional singers or dancers. I did think of doing Tagore's Shayma

or Chandalika but they are more complex."

Hats off also to choreographer Samina Hussain Prema, who directed the colourfully clad and graceful dancers. She is well qualified for the task: she is a teacher at Chhayanaut and a student of Sharmila Bandyopadhyay.

Also worth mentioning were the dances of Chitrangada by Nabila Islam Kumu and Orpita Oysharja in her forms as Kurupa and Shurupa respectively. Other talents were ANM Rafayet Islam, singing in the role of Arjuna, Afnan Samara, vocalising the role of Chitrangada, Md Nayem Mahmood Khan, singer in role of Madana, the God of Love and Tasfia Mehrin who recited the part of Shokhi.

Also superb was the stage design with a backdrop clouds in the sky and two trees. Truly scenic designer Taher Ali outdid himself.

A brief idea of the storyline: The strong and courageous Chitrangada falls in love with the Pandava Arjun who is in his 11th year of exile. However, the relationship is one-sided. A distraught Chitrangada prays to Madana for

one year of beauty so that she can win over Arjuna. Her wish is granted and Arjuna falls in love with the beautiful princess. With the passage of time, she begins to feel uncomfortable in her new guise. The day of reckoning arrives when the warrior princess is quizzed by Arjuna about Chitrangada, whose tales of bravery have reached him. Finally, Chitrangada calls on Madana to revert her back to her original self.

There is an underlying message in the dance drama. "The best scene in my view was the last scene, when Chitrangada says to Arjuna, ' I am not an object of worship like a goddess nor should I be cast aside. I walk by your side,'" says Tuhin.

As the brochure puts it: "One of the most noticeable features of Chitrangada is that it not only reinforces Tagore's philosophy of love but spins around the concept that beauty is mortal and like life fades out in a flash, but also separates the power, strength and beauty of a woman." Truly the audience is left with the feeling that beauty is only skin deep.