Dancing brothers do themselves proud

Natmo 2008 presented by the Rivega Dance Studio at the Bishop’s College auditorium, on March 1. Reviewed by Niloufer Peiris. Despite the rather tense situation that prevails in the island, Natmo 2008 was both varied and lively. Founded seven years ago when the twin brothers Rangika and Rangana were still in school, Rivega began with no proper studio or sponsors, but the brothers have found that hard work and talent have gained them recognition.

The opening invocation to fire ‘Agni’ danced by Rangika and four senior female students was a mixture of Kandyan, low country and Bharatha Natyam. I found it too fast and hectic for an invocation.‘Siddhartha’, a 20-minute dance drama based on the temptations of the Prince before Enlightenment was ambitious. This is a serious subject which is beyond Rangika’s ability at present, though well danced by him as the demon Maraya.

This was a second viewing for me and he had considerably tightened and fine-tuned the work making it clearer in dramatic content. The costumes throughout were generally rather glittery and ‘Bollywood’. The highlights for me were the more traditional dances – Gajaga Vannama (elephant) elegantly danced by Rangika and Rangana was polished and stylish. This was dedicated to their teacher Piyasara. A boys’ dance based on basic Kandyan technique was effective and vigorously performed. ‘Rain’ by female students was pretty and graceful. Small children in ‘Unity’ to a song was charming and ‘Swans ‘ by the older children demonstrated discipline. Hindi and Tamil film songs expected by the audience, I felt, were out of place.

Rivega clearly shows good basic training and Rangika is an accomplished dancer with a flair for choreography. He will, however, have to choose the direction he wishes to follow: fusion or traditional. Both brothers hope to develop Rivega Dance Studio into a centre for excellence teaching local and regional dance styles. This is badly needed in the current situation of copying from everywhere. The evening concluded with excellent drumming.