The word “Nrityageet” means pure song and dance.
And rich folk dances depicting village life, classical pieces depicting the monsoon as the peacocks and snakes awaken to the rains, or youths clad in jeans undulating to western rock rhythms under pulsating club lighting, were all on the programme when Nrityageet 32  took to the National Cultural Centre stage last Friday. The extravaganza presented by the Nadira and Indranie Shah Dance troupe, which has for over 30 years been held annually to commemorate the arrival of the East Indians to Guyana, as  in previous shows, set out to show the integration and interaction of different cultures. As such, the show featured pieces influenced by African, Caribbean and North American influenced rhythms.
Co-founder, producer and lead teacher Nadira Shah welcomed guests with a Hindu salutation done with the senior dancers. Her sister, Dr. Seeta Shah- Roath, who is a set designer and stage manager for the show, traced where we have been and how far we have come in verse with “Roots of a People”, accompanied by Ras Leon Saul.
A standard part of the event has come to be a welcome from Head of the Indian Commemoration Trust, Dr. Yesu Persaud, who for the past 26 years has been welcoming persons to the show. He spoke about the history and accomplishments of Guyana’s various ethnic groups, with a special focus on the East Indians.
Continuing, he highlighted the wisdom of the Vedas, citing that the famous Indian work cautions that we must look after our trees and rivers, and noting that we are now discovering today what was said a long time ago.
The audiences tittered and voiced encouragement as the debonair princes from the North Georgetown Primary wooed their princesses in their dramatisation of Alladin.
Youthful energy and creativity were given free rein, in the second segment of the event, which featured more spicy and contemporary numbers performed by the younger members of the troupe and the National School of Dance.
Their influence was evident in pieces such as “Indian Moves: Western Influences”, “Today’s moves and grooves”, “Omens” , Columbian- born Singer Shakiras “Waka Waka”  and American Chart topper, Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”.

Special guest at the event, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, showed off a few moves of his own when invited on stage by Nadira and other dancers in the Matticore style dance event that brought the curtain down on the performance.
The   Nadira and Indranie Shah Troupe has presented dance dramas such as Dasavatar-the ten incarnations of  Lord Vishnu; Shakuntalam, Rati Kamadev-Based on the story of Shiva, Rati and Lamadev-the God of love, among many dance dramas that capture religious, literary, historical and cultural themes and stories.
The troupe’s repertoire include Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Folk, Modern, Chutney, Soca, Jazz, ballet, ballroom , and ethnic dance styles.
Over the years, a number of Nrityageet’s senior dancers represented Guyana through performances and workshops in a number of countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, England, Germany, Sweden, Egypt, Croatia, Barbados, and Trinidad and Suriname.
Coinciding with its 21st production, Nrityageet was recognized by the Guyana Theatre Arts for “Exceptional Diligence in the Pursuit of Excellence” and for “Best Dance Production” in 2004, 2003, 2000, 1998 and 1999, “Best Costumes” in 2003, 2002, 20000 and 1997; and ‘Best Sets” in 2003, 2004 and 2000, and “Best Traditional Dance” by the Madame Iffel Award of Barbados.