Most people would say the impressive thing about dance troupe Articulate of Bangalore, Indiaยs ballet Panchavaktram, is the fact that five of the 12 dancers are blind or visually impaired. They learned to dance by a method known as ยtouch and feel,ย which involves feeling an instructorยs feet, legs, arms and torso and then mimicking the movements with their own bodies. For anyone who thought doing the macarena took talent, the elaborate maneuvers of classical Indian dance styles, which are woven into the program exploring the five elements of creation, will seem quite the feat. While we agree that is impressive, we couldnยt help but be more intrigued by another aspect of the performance. ยIn Panchavaktram, the sound of mantras, or holy syllables associated with each manifestation of Shiva, will reverberate across the hall and lift the audience into a state of holy trance,ย says the groupยs press release. ยA Tantrik visual image that symbolizes the five manifestations will engross the audience into a meditative stupor.ย Wow. You know what else would help facilitate this ยmeditative stuporย? Well, letยs just say weยve also heard itยs good for glaucoma. 8 p.m. Stafford Center, 10505 Cash Road, Stafford. For information, call 281-345-0931 or visit www.eshavasyam.com. $20 to $45
Fri., Oct. 12, 8 p.m., 2007
This article appears in Oct 11-17, 2007.