THE thrilling and astonishing performances in Naya Zamana 23 – Zindagi Express will be done all over again in February when the show is put on again by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.

The show, originally held last August, will be returning to the National Culture Center (NCC) on Saturday, February 8, 2020. The 2020 edition of the show will be held later in the year, around August.

“If you missed it or want to see it again, save the date – February 8, 2020 – Zindagi Express returns to the stage!!” Director, Dr. Vindhya Persaud announced recently.

Naya Zamana 23 had thrilled its audience with several breathtaking dance performances and a script that Dr. Persaud said was unlike any that she’d ever written before! The show boasts an original storyline, a great cast, fabulous costumes, amazing backdrops and lighting.

Naya Zamana is the signature dance production of the ‘Dharmic Sabha,’ and is a theatrical spectacle which features dance in various styles, drama and music. It is also known for its amazing backdrops and costumes.

The show, which has received critical acclaim and awards, provides an opportunity for students of the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, who are taught free of charge in Kathak and other dance styles, to showcase what they have learnt.

The dance troupe that performs at Naya Zamana is called the Dharmic Nritya Sangh, and has performed extensively in Guyana as well as in New York, Toronto, Trinidad, Barbados and St. Lucia.

Among their most notable performances were those done at CARIFESTA (The Caribbean Festival of Arts), CARICOM Heads of Government Conferences, The Rio Summit, Naya Zamana and various other national events in Guyana.

The presentation of Ramlila in dance drama form in April 2009 was another major success for the group.

Naya Zamana, meaning “New World” or “New Generation,” started in 1994 when a group of young people, headed by Dr. Persaud, decided to put on a dance show at the ‘Dharmic Kendra.’ The response was so encouraging that the friends thought of putting on another show; this time at the NCC.

Dr. Persaud, now the director, choreographer, producer and scriptwriter of the show, had said in an interview that the first NCC show was good enough to win it that year’s ‘National Theatre Award’ and ‘Best Dance and Costume’ Award.
Each year, she said she aims to add fresh choreographies and different energies to make the show more appealing.

Dr. Persaud has managed to find young people with amazing talent from all across Guyana. “I teach them from scratch and when we notice potential, we hone it until they get to that point where they are ready to go on stage. When they step on stage, you will swear you are somewhere else,” she explained.

Elements of drama have been added to the show, which once featured dance only. Dr. Persaud views training as an important factor and is a firm believer in solid classical training. “All of the students who are on stage have learnt classical dancing and they start from as early as six years old, so they would have grown up in Naya Zamana. I believe in things like body control, proper form, understanding the stage; and I am passionate about synchrony and precision. They have grown up with me and know that discipline is a big thing. I am never satisfied with mediocrity, and they know this.”