–Co-founder of ‘Nrityageet’

AS THE Nadira and Indranie Shah Dance Troupe takes to the stage to celebrate Arrival Day this year with their decades-long calendar event, they will again be simultaneously celebrating the life of co-founder of the annual production of dramatic dance presentations of different dance styles — Kathak, Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Chutney, Modern and Popular dances — Indranie Shaw-Lennartson, who died tragically at age 50 in October, 2012.

A Celebration of Indranie’s life and contribution to the world of dance was held at the National Cultural centre subsequent to her funeral rites. The performing artistes did supreme justice to someone who had commanded audiences of thousands clamouring to see her perform, and the contributions of the various artistes, all of whom performed pieces of dances of several genres that had been choreographed by Indranie were spellbinding,

as was an impromptu “Shiva Vandana” presented by Bibi Haniff.
Indranie Lennartson-Shaw was born on December 7, 1962 and lost her battle with cancer on October 25, 2012. On November 20, 2012, her life was celebrated by family, friends, and fans as an ode to this renowned Kathak dancer by a star-studded programme that honoured her with dance performances and tributes from several dancers who had been taught by her. These included performances from those who have been a part of the performing and chorographical team for Nrityageet, and also those who had interaction with her over the years, including Linda Griffith and students of the National School of Dance; Vivian Daniels; Clive Prowell and the Classique Dancers; Kenrick Cheeks; and students of the Nadira and Indranie Shah Dance Troupe.
The approximately 45-minute programme, where significant moments of Indranie’s funeral that took place in Sweden on November 16 were shown in a multimedia format for those who were unable to attend, held the audience riveted to the screen.
A blurb on her life, posted in 2011, stated: “Indranie Shaw, a former St. Rose’s student, was a gifted exponent of kathak, and a linguist who was proficient in six languages — Spanish, French, Hindi, Swedish, Russian, Finnish, German and, of course, English.” The ceremony reflected her life as she lived, and, as such, served as a medium to say farewell to an amazing linguist, classical dancer, sister, mother, daughter, friend, and one of Guyana’s most talented and patriotic daughters of the soil.
Her devastated family know that they have lost a gem, and in a tribute during the celebration of her life, sister, Seeta Shah Roath, Head of the Multimedia Unit of the Guyana Learning Channel, began with a quote from

Richard Henry Dann: “He who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”
Continuing her eulogy, Seeta said, “Indranie Lennartson Shaw, Linguist, Dance Choreographer, and accomplished International Performer speaks (still has not come to terms that her beloved younger sister is no longer here) English and Swedish fluently, and has studied multiple languages, including French, Spanish and Hindi. Her current research pursuit is in linguistics, exploring the retention of Indian languages in the current Guyanese English language. She is currently completing her Masters Degree at the University of Umeå, Sweden.
“Performing in New Delhi, New York, Virginia, Sweden, and representing Guyana at CARIFESTA 1981 in Barbados, and the World Trade Fairs (Expo 1998 in Portugal, and Expo 2000 in Germany), and having her Swedish group perform a Rajasthani Folk Dance for Queen Silvia of Sweden at the Conference, “New in Sweden”, held in Umeå, are among her international performances.
“One of her fondest memories is a performance with India’s famous Pt. Charan Girdhar Chand in a little town far away from the bright city lights of India, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
“Indranie started dancing at age 11, as a student of Shri Pratap Pawar at the Indian Cultural Centre in Guyana, South America. She gave her first performance at the Deepavali Jalsa in 1975. The arrival of the renowned Kathak dancer, Pandit Durgalall to Guyana in 1976 marked the beginning of a new sense of awareness for Indian heritage and culture in the field of the Performing Arts in that country. This was later reinforced by Pandit Charan Girdhar Chand. ‘Under their expert training and guidance, I gained invaluable experience, which laid the foundation of our subsequent contribution to the cultural mosaic of Guyana,’ Indranie declared.
“Certificates of Excellence at Guyana Festival of Arts (GuyFesta) in 1977 and 1980, coupled with numerous representations for the Indian Cultural Centre and the Guyana Department of Culture, heralded the advent of Nrityageet Dance Production.
“Indranie and our sister, Nadira, founded the Nadira and Indranie Shah Dance troupe, and produced Nrityageet 1. Today, the troupe has produced 30 annual dance productions; received several Guyana and Barbados theatre awards for best dance productions, best costumes, and best sets; Guyana’s national award, The Medal of Service, for ‘Sustained and Outstanding Contribution to the Cultural Mosaic of Guyana’; and the New York Folk Festival Award for ‘Long and Sustained Dance Productions of Excellence’.
“In 1984, Indranie was awarded an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship to further her studies in Dance in New Delhi, India. She attended the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra from April 1985 to December 1987. She was fortunate to have the young and innovative Vasvati Misra as her teacher and mentor.

“The path of love led Indranie to Sweden, where she married Anders Lennartson, and they have two children, Ida Indira, and Johan. The Sweden chapter began in 1988. Indranie has since then continued to promote her cultural heritage through performing, teaching, workshops and cultural exhibitions showcasing Guyana and its diverse culture in Sweden, and in other parts of the world as she pursues her studies in linguistics.”
And Seeta’s daughter, Suzanne Shaw-Nilsson, who is the next generation of Shaw family dancers, wrote in tribute to her aunt, ‘Dancing with the Angels’:
“You and I may shed tears that she is gone, but rather, we should smile because she has lived… What we probably do for ourselves alone dies with us; what we do for others and the world remains famous for all time.
“And we all know she did a great deal for many, both within her family and within her community. Our dear Indranie Shaw will be missed by many, and she will always be remembered.
“We love you, and we know you are dancing with the angels!”
Nrityageet dance theatre is currently in its 4th decade, especially commemorating Indian Immigration in Guyana, and Seeta’s daughter, Suzanne Shah-Nilsson, will one day assume the reins of the dance theatre production.
According to Indranie, and co-founder, Nadira Shah-Berry, “The word ‘Nrityageet’ means pure dance and song.
“In Nrityageet stage productions over the years, we have used our talents and experience in dance and theatre arts to present the history and culture of our ancestors, combined with our visions, moods, ideas, experiments in dance, costumes, music, stage sets, lights, sound, and special effects, adding to intricate dance sequences, and making Nrityageet what it has

been over the last 30-odd years: A labour of love for the arts.”
At its 21st production, the troupe was recognised and awarded for its ‘Exceptional Diligence in the Pursuit of Excellence’ at the Guyana Theatre Arts Awards; ‘Best Dance Production’ in 2004, 2003, 2000, 1998, and 1999; ‘Best Costumes’ in 2003, 2002, 2000, and 1997; ‘Best Sets’ in 2004, 2003, and 2000; and ‘Best Traditional Dance’ by the Madame Iffel Award of Barbados.
“We dance for the love of dance, and the satisfaction of producing a dance programme that is truly Guyanese, South American, and Caribbean.”

The troupe’s repertoire includes Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Folk, Modern, Chutney, Soca, Jazz, Ballet, Ballroom, and Ethnic dance styles.
Indranie and Nadira have improvised and choreographed innovative Kathak medleys and mixes with modern ballet, and the version of Chutney that captures Guyana’s Indian folk dance and music, together with popular Guyanese and Trinidadian chutney rhythms.
Every time Guyana loses an iconic figure, the memory of Shri Prakash Gossaiji saying “A country’s richest treasures lie in its burial grounds” comes to mind; but I will add that they also resonate in the memories of those to whom they have given pleasure, and the lives they have shaped through their endeavours. Today, Indranie is indeed dancing with the angels, but she also lives on in the hearts of those who love her.

( By Parvati Persaud-Edwards)