** TARANA-TILLANA: North Indian Kathak and South Indian Bharata Natyam **
Premier: December 3, 1999 at Ames Auditorium, The Lighthouse, New York City.
Kathak dancer Janaki Patrik and Bharata Natyam dancer Maya Kulkarni perform jewels from the traditional repertoires of two North and South Indian classical dance styles. They are accompanied by an ensemble of musicians, tabla and mridangam drums, sarangi, bamboo flute, Hindustani and Carnatic vocal. "Miss Kulkarni showed her full brilliant range in the alternating series of pure dance and dramatic passages of the Varnam." Anna Kisselgoff, The New York Times. "Patrik's insistent and rapid-fire footwork (as wedded to the tabla as flamenco is to the guitar), detailed hand gestures and ever-shifting eye and body positions brought the dance drama Sadra to stirring life." Pamela Sommers, The Washington Post.

** VIOLENT PEACE: Mythology & Modern Dilemma **
January 11, 1998.
In traditional Indian storytelling (katha), good always triumphs. Gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines always reassuringly restore the balance between good and evil, often unleashing violence to restore peace. But in real history (itihas), the boundaries between good and evil prove illusory. Exploring the classical Kathak repertoire - and then adding a few stories from modern history - Janaki Patrik leads the audience into the heart of modern dilemma - does the end justify the means? Who are the heroes and who are the villains? Classical and modern stories are told with special reference to India's great epic RAMAYANA, as illustrated by an 8 foot X 10 foot tradition Indian cloth painting (kalamkari) on which scenes from the story spiral into the central images of Ram, Sita & Lakshman enthroned. Three accompanying musicians. Created for OUT OF INDIA: Contemporary Art of the South Asian Diaspora, Queens Museum of Art, NYC, December 10, 1997 - March 22, 1998.

** KA-TAP! East-West Encounters **
Premier: October 1, 1994 at the American Museum of Natural History, NYC. Produced November 17, 1995 by World Music Institute at Symphony Space, NYC; August 14, 1996 by the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC; August 16, 1996 by Huntington Summer Arts Festival, Huntington, LI, NY; August 18, 1996 by Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Festival, NYC. Produced by World Music Institute at Symphony Space on December 5, 1998.
Indian ragas and American jazz from Duke Ellington to Herbie Hancock inspire this creative fusion of Eastern and Western music and dance styles. Rhythmic footwork, conversational challenge between dancers and musicians and improvisational fireworks stand center stage in both North Indian Kathak and American tap. Two Kathak dancers, two tap dancers, four Hindustani musicians, four jazz musicians. "Multiculturalism never had it so good." Pamela Sommers, The Washington Post

** VOICE OF THE FLUTE: The Life of Krishna in Dance, Music, Poetry & Miniature Painting **
Premier: May 29-June 1, 1992 at Eden's Expressway, NYC; produced by the Ark Ensemble on April 22-23, 1994 at HERE, NYC.
This program follows the life of India's divine lover, Krishna, as told in traditional poetry and Kathak dance. Episodes are framed by projections of North Indian miniature paintings, which tell the story of Krishna's life in brilliant, jewel-like color and detail. The dancer, stepping out of each projection, enlivens the visual image and extends the story beyond the picture frame. The dancer is joined by poet-actress Chitra Neogy and an ensemble of musicians. "Janaki Patrik ... celebrates the aspects and deeds of Krishna in a simple, but lovely production. ... The boundaries between text and executant, between contemporary American and legendary women of India, crumble." Deborah Jowitt, The Village Voice.