Natya Dance Theatre presents The Flowering Tree October 1, 2011

Natya Dance Theatre, Chicago’s critically-acclaimed dance company rooted in Bharata Natyam, a dance theater form of India, makes its Harris Theater debut with the World Premiere of The Flowering Tree, co-choreographed by Natya Artistic Director Hema Rajagopalan and Associate Artistic Director Krithika Rajagopalan. A metaphor for preserving nature and respecting others, The Flowering Tree is a timeless tale about love and transformation. Natya presents The Flowering Tree in one performance only at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Saturday, October 8 at 7:30 pm.

Based on an ancient South Indian folktale by A. K. Ramanujan, The Flowering Tree is a dance-theater work with a sutra dhara, or storyteller, about a poor but beautiful young girl, Kumudha, blessed with the magical ability to transform herself into a magnificent flowering tree.

Natya uses the expressive power of the Bharata Natyam technique – dynamic body movement, rhythmic footwork, hand gestures and facial expressions – combined with original choreography to convey meaning, emotion and a sense of spirituality.

Tickets for The Flowering Tree range from $24 to $50 and are available by calling the Harris Theater Box Office at 312-334-7777 or online at www.harristheaterchicago.org.