With eight dancers between the ages between Prime, 60 and 71, the experimental theater will be staged on 16 November at Mumbai.

Eight artists on stage had two things the same – they were all over 60 and shared a love for dance. Although he began training in different dance styles at an early age, some carried forward their passion, while others stopped for personal reasons, only years later to find their love for dance.

Dancer-four men and four women-choreographers and contemporary dance-exercises were Avantika Bahl’s 75-minute show ‘Prime’ (in IFBE Hall in Mumbai last month). He was rehearsing for nine months.

Avantika says that the purpose of ‘Prime’ is to see the body of movement and aging. “As we grow up, our movements change. Nevertheless, the body of aging carries knowledge, memory and living experiences. This show is a will for flexibility.” Avantika, who choreographed the ‘Mumbai Star’ of Adyam Theater, conceptualized the show “seven years ago”.

Eight artists, who are between 60 and 71, are unique stories in each. Born in 1954, Jhelum Panjape is a skilled Odissi artist. Venkatesh Iyer, now 70, began as a dancer and later choreographed the wedding sungets and community programs. Born in 1958, Venkateswaran Akilevaran is a pathologist who started dancing in a medical college and returned to art at the age of 50. Born in 1960, Fredun Dodo Bhujwala has been a famous dancer and choreographer for 45 years. Saraswati Devdas (born 1962) and Sunila Ashok (born 1963) took a break from dancing but later returned to practice regularly. Born in 1964 Francis D’A Cardso, and 60 -year -old Manula F. Cardoso has actively involved in Mumbai’s cultural scene. ,

Considering the fact that aging is a slow, acquired change, Avantika began to surprise what happens to the dancers when they start aging. She says, “A time reaches when someone is at the intersection of knowledge and capacity. You know properly how you can do something, but your body cannot fully support you.”

Avantika Bahl | Photo Credit: Courtesy: Mayank Sharma.

After achieving her concept in the place, Avantika searched for the right artists and said: “It was only last year that I was deep in this matter. I was lucky to meet eight people who were suited to my needs.

Avantika says that each dancer is a collection of memories that their generation will never know. He said, “He had different personal history that should be told. I also told him that I will not teach them anything, but only what he had to present and put them on the same ground. I was interested in their happiness, her griefs and wanted to come out,” she says.

The ‘Prime’ features the music of Rahul Nadkarni and Nikhil Narendra, with the Uptampo Final Song composed by Hate Sanghvi. The main dance show is with two companions. Artists Rupali Gupta and Prasad Shetty have created an installation which includes eight unique sculptures in each dancer’s personality and manner. The title of the installation ‘IMA Dancer Made of Song’ is a line of a poem, suffering from Dementia by 92 -year -old former Balarina. In addition, Shruti is a film of Vishwaswaran which tries to understand the process of keeping this work together. “I wanted to use their world through various mediums and both are fully fit,” says Avantika.

According to Avantika, “What did the Mumbai star expect from ‘Prime’. In terms of ‘Prime’, I had a lot of learning in ‘Mumbai Star’, which came in handy during the preparation of ‘Prime’. And both the products have a translation of Joy in the heart.” She says what she sees in her work.

‘Prime’ will be staged on 16 November in experimental theater, Mumbai, and will travel to other cities. Avantika says, “It raises questions about the effects of aging among those who do not dance. I think there is anything to remove anything for everyone, no matter what a point in their life.”