From Cauvery to Colorado – A River Runs Through It was a captivating exploration of rivers through Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance style that blends intricate movements with storytelling. Performed at the Leona Wagner Black Box Theatre on September 13 and 14, the program spanned cultures and continents, drawing connections between rivers like the Ganges, the Cauvery, the Colorado, and even our very own Great Salt Lake.
Bharatanatyam, the dance form at the heart of the performance, is known for its expressive hand gestures, precise footwork, and powerful storytelling. The choreographer has deep roots in the Kalakshetra tradition of Bharatanatyam, which is known for its elegance and spirituality. What makes Bharatanatyam special in this performance is the way it uses movement to tell stories, often from mythology. The work beautifully bridged ancient traditions and contemporary environmental concerns.
The opening, “Incipience – Benediction,” was a simple but reverent homage to the elements, particularly water. The dancers’ movements reflected a deep connection to nature, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. “Ganga – An Origin Story” followed, illustrating the mythological tale of the Ganges River. The cast moved with fluidity and grace, representing the river goddess Ganga’s divine descent to earth. It was easy to follow the narrative, even without prior knowledge of the story, thanks to the clarity of the movement and the performers’ expression.
“Cauvery Calling” was a twenty-minute section that used canon (a choreographic device where the same movement is repeated by different dancers in a staggered sequence) to depict the river’s journey through southern India. The dancers evoked the flow of the river with fluid arm movements, while sound effects of rushing water provided a rich audio landscape.
A standout piece for me was “Colorado – Dam Nation,” which focused on the damming of the Colorado River. The choreography mirrored the river being split apart by dams, with sharp, fragmented movements. In depicting the Hoover Dam, this section highlighted the shift from viewing dams as marvels of engineering to recognizing their ecological consequences, which felt timely and relevant.
The most personal moment for me was the final piece, “Once We Had Everything… Ode to the Great Salt Lake.” The dancers beautifully portrayed the grandeur of what the lake once was, and their movements poignantly depicted its slow disappearance. The dance conveyed the environmental challenges our region faces in a way that was both emotional and visually striking. This piece was my favorite, as it felt like a tribute to the natural world we are rapidly losing.
Throughout the performance, I appreciated how clearly each story was told. Dance can sometimes be abstract, but this program provided just the right amount of context so that I could engage with the narrative while still enjoying the interpretive nature of Bharatanatyam’s movement language. The sound effects, especially the water and machinery used to illustrate the dams, added another layer to the experience, making it both visually and aurally immersive. Cauvery to Colorado was not only a journey through rivers but also a reminder of their vital role in our lives and the ongoing environmental challenges they face. It was a meaningful, engaging performance that used the rich tradition of Bharatanatyam to connect us to stories both ancient and modern.
Shelby Strickler's dance journey began in Baltimore, Maryland. Having graduated with a BFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah in December 2023, she is a performer and teacher in Salt Lake City, passionately sharing her love for dance.