– through music, dance, and drama 

IN returning once again to the National Cultural Centre (NCC), ‘Naya Zamana – Zindagi Express’ will not just deal with music and dance, but will be tackling crucial social issues and showing how they can be fixed.

The impressive, one-of-a-kind show is put on annually, but Director Vindhya Vasini Persaud wanted to bring it back ahead of its scheduled showing in August, owing to the messages that she wants to get across to society.

The show, billed for Saturday, February 8, will take a focus on women’s issues directly, and show how various problems can be handled. “Every act is expressive in the message portrayed, be it about heartbreak, the struggle for independence, the pressures of bullying or the dilemma of staying in a relationship,” Dr. Persaud told the Buzz on Thursday.

Portrayed against spectacular backdrops and sets, and embellished by dazzling and vivid costuming done by design genius Trishala Simantini Persaud, Dr Persaud said Naya Zamana is not to be missed.

“From the avid theatre-goer to the first-timer, the experience of Naya Zamana is like no other; you are caught and held from beginning to end as the stories unfold, much like a movie up close. The actors get into the skin of their characters, and you feel as if you are at one with them,” she expressed, adding, “No doubt the music, at times haunting or energetic, lends to the overall feel-good mood that Naya Zamana invariably leaves one with.”

Cutting-edge choreography is portrayed through various dance styles: Modern, lyrical and interpretive, classical, traditional and creative.

The 60-plus cast, consisting of young and talented performers, includes Farzaana Khan (Misha); Darsh Mody (Veer); Anusha Doodnauth (Avni); Amisha Sarjoo (Anaya); Deepta Banik (Arnav); Sarah Dhanraj as Piya; Aliyah Hassan; Rickeita Leitch; and Shania Persaud.
This production has been staged in New York to almost sold-out audiences, and has gotten acclaim from critics.

It’s also a production for study in schools that are offering theatre arts/drama/ English. Tickets are available at the NCC, Dharmic Kendra, Prashad Nagar, Red Mango on Robb Street; E-Networks Camp Street and Giftland Mall; M &M Snackette on the East Bank; Unique Innovations, Giftland Mall; and The Murti Shop on West Demerara. To reserve tickets, call 227-6181 or 219-1900.

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, and amazing backdrops and lighting. It is the signature dance production of the ‘Dharmic Sabha’, and is a theatrical spectacle which features dance in various styles, drama and music.

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.