SINCE its appearance on the local scene in 2008, the Apsara Dance Troupe has been mesmerising audiences with spellbinding choreography never before witnessed on the local scene. At each performance, this group has unleashed a package that reeked of intense creativity and classic and enthralling serenity, coupled with a dazzling versatility that propelled its members to the very top of the ladder as ‘ultimate stars’.Conceived by Chandini Ramnarain in 2008, Apsara basically performs as a cohesive TEAM, and not as individuals. Whilst the show is being directed and produced by Chandini Ramnarain, the main choreographers are Padmini and Lucria Rambalak, Kiran Mattai, Marcia Akeung, Devon Rambalak; and, in 2012, Fernando Yow. Marcia Akeung is a specialist in Latin Dancing; Kiran Mattai is a very accomplished classical dancer and specialist; Fernando Yow is a break dancer and hip-hop specialist like Devon Rambalak; and Padmini Rambalak is also an accomplished dancer besides being the main choreographer.

The core group consists of between ten and fifteen persons, but with local dancers and actors added to those from the Apsara dancing school, cast members would amount to between sixty and seventy persons for Apsara’s productions.

Having travelled extensively, this group wanted to bring a different type of show to Guyana. Its members felt that Guyana was ready for a change of style and the way shows were done. At the time of Apsara’s formation, the few dance groups in existence were featuring only a few dance styles, which were all similar. Apsara’s core group believed it was time to break the mould of dance in Guyana, and this was achieved with a ground-breaking show in March 2008 at the National Cultural Centre.

Apsara’s tag line in the first show was “Dances that will leave you mesmerised”, and the audience was truly mesmerised by the premier performance. What was remarkable about the group was that its members achieved all this by themselves; the show was entirely choreographed by the girls themselves; and even today, all the costumes are designed by Chandini Ramnarain, Karishma Narwani and Padmini Rambalak, with inputs from the core group. Set designs are created by Chandini Ramnarain and produced by Cecil Rambalak and Andrew Arts. This has made this group very self-sufficient in all aspects of a theatrical production.

The group is known for its innovation and originality. Apsara specialises in Contemporary Classical dance forms wherein the basics of Indian Classical dances are used as a springboard to evolve a modern and unique vocabulary.

The group has been moving from traditional Indian dance styles and fusing it with other dance styles from around the world — from Latin Dancing, Belly/Arabic dancing; Flamenco, to hip-hop and much more. Such ease alone sets this group apart from its contemporaries.

Apsara is one of the youngest dance troupes in Guyana, and it has always delivered on its promises to leave the audience wanting more. Apsara dance group has achieved tremendously since its formation; for instance, all its shows at the National Cultural Centre have been sold-out affairs; Apsara staged shows in Berbice; held performances at Carifesta X; participated in the launching of Rice Fest; staged “An evening of Dance” at the Pegasus; participated in Hits and Jams’ Bollywood Concert; Fire Fest Bollywood Concert; GuyExpo and more. Coupled with the foregoing, Apsara has had international performances in Trinidad, Grenada and the USA.

This independent and private group faces many challenges, among which are financing and sponsorships. The journey from inception to where the group is now has been a proverbial roller-coaster, and many of the initial members can hardly imagine how far the group has come in such a short time, from sitting at a table discussing “What if?” to actually making it all happen.

Apsara has also published a multi-cultural magazine, has a fashion line, and is responsible for the Miss India Worldwide (Guyana) pageant and a very successful dance school to date. The Apsara Dance School has members as young as five years old, and its classes cover basic, intermediate and advanced kathak/Bollywood, hip-hop and belly-dancing.

The group looks forward to continuing its contribution to dance in Guyana, and promoting the talent locally and internationally.

BY Alex Wayne