Sky Dancers

Conceived and directed by Anusha Fernando, Skydancers was presented by The Dance Centre’s Global Dance Connections Series, Oct 4-6, 2024 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. Sky Dancers emerged from a year-long gathering of six outstanding Bharata Natyam dance artists, who formed a unique collaborative space to explore the core elements of the form: stillness, presence, energy, musicality, ritual, and stories. Using the framework of the Dakini (Sky Dancer), a Buddhist symbol of the dynamic play of energy in the universe, the choreography expresses both the dancers’ personal voices and the rich traditions and meditative practices that have emerged from India.

Arno Kamolika rendered the Tree Leaf Dakini in this production, representing cycles of life, nurturing, harmony and balance – combining the symbolism of a dakini with that of a tree and its leaves. The Dakini or the Sky Dancers emerges as a central figure in the Prajna Patamita (perfection of wisdom) literature of Mahayana Buddhism. Here she is described as a skillful teacher who is encountered by ardent spiritual practitioners. The Dakini’s diverse expressions (sensual, fierce,nurturing) illuminate the richness of our human minds. She encourages us to have a mind that is like the sky :vast, inclusive and undistrured by weather patterns. Her dance highlights the natural ebb and flow of energy in the universe. The Dakini’s dance points us to the possibility of experiencing life as abundantly rich, complete and lacking nothing. Khye Ho! Wonder!

Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the BC Arts Council and through The Dance Centre’s Partnership Program.