The three-day event opens with facets of Indian Classical Dance - presenting five styles and featuring seven dancers, on 4 May, 2005 at the Indian Consulate Auditorium, Dubai.

The styles of dance being presented are Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Oddisi, Kathak and Mohini Attam with a glimpse of Manipuri too.

The performance will commence with Guru-Vandana and conclude with 'Divine Ecstasy' where all the performers will come together to commemorate World Dance Day in Dubai.

Tripti specially puts these together to the music of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Saheb and Asha Bhosle. Guru Vandana is in Ragam Desh Malhar and the music of Divine Ecstacy is set to Ragam Bhimpalasri and Bhupali. The other offerings are dedicated to various Dance styles like Pallavi to Odissi, Varnam to Bharatanatyam, Rangmanch, Gatbhav & Nikas to Kathak and Keertanams to Kuchipudi & Mohiniattam.

The participating artistes are Tripti Bhupen (Bharatanatyam), Annapoorna Murali (Bharatanatyam), Sasi Kottakkal (Kuchipudi), Rajashree (Kuchipudi), Muna Shams (Kathak), Devjani Sen (Odissi) and Namitha Giridharan (Mohini Attam).

The World Dance Day festivities and performances, on May 5, are by students from various schools. There will be an exhibition of their work at Our Own English High School throughout the day and a specially choreographed performance by them at 8 pm at the Jumeirah College.

Geeta Rajgopal and Bharati Gopinath are coordinating this on the directions of the Principal of Our Own English High School G.S. Madhav Rao.

The grand conclusion of this event is on 6 May, which is being put together by Lajo Gupta with professional dancers from several international traditions performing at the Jumeirah College. These performances will include Arabic, Indian, Spanish, Irish and classical ballet. The last piece will witness all dancers on stage together in a wonderful song-dance sequence that represents the global nature of life.

This non- profit / invitees only series of concerts is being sponsored by Petrochem, Apollo studio & stores and ARN Radio.

For invitations, please call Lajo at 050 654 9729.

Tripti Bhupen, Director, Samarpan School of Performing Arts, Ph: 04- 3527401 E- mail: triptibh@emirates.net.ae