Menaka’s “Indian Ballet” is considered one of the first approaches to the redefinition of dance in India at the beginning of the 20th century. Above all, her study of the Kathak style is read as a contribution to a revitalization of classical dance techniques and thus the rehabilitation of a classical repertoire of artistic forms of expression in the context of the formation of national identity of India. For her European tour, she had put together a program of various formats, which she had developed in India. Solo pieces alternated with smaller group choreographies. The main program consisted of one of Menaka’s so-called dance dramas. During the two-year tour, the ensemble kept this program largely unchanged, but occasionally varied individual items. Especially the musical ensemble had a freer hand in the choice of the instrumental solos. Sakhwawat Khan selected his solo items from his personal repertoire. In this way, the audience at the various venues made comparable – but quite unique listening-experiences. The program booklets and the reports of the reviewers provide information about which Menaka repertoire was performed in each case.

Repertoire Stuttgart

1

Prelude Orchester

2

Kreeda Nritya Tanz junger Mädchen

3

Manipuri Tanz Tanz in einem Dorf in Manipuri

4

Sanhar Nritya Tanz des Shiva

5

Patang Drachentanz

6

Usha Tanz der Aurora

7

Pavan Nritya Tanz des Vayu, des Sturmgottes

8

Viraha-Milap Aussöhnung des Gottes Krishna mit der Göttin Radhika

9

Raga Malakouns Ein indischer Abend in der Regenzeit

10

Harao-Mehri Versöhnung eines erzürnten Ehemannes mit seinen zwei Frauen

11

Deva Vijaya Nritya Ballett in drei Episoden

Repertoire Berlin Volksbühne

1

Prelude Orchester

2

Kreeda Nritya Tanz junger Mädchen

3

Manipuri Tanz Tanz in einem Dorf in Manipuri

4

Sanhar Nritya Tanz des Shiva

5

Patang Drachentanz

6

Usha Tanz der Aurora

7

Tarana-Ushaq Moghul Serenade

8

Tabla Tarang Instrumental

9

Viraha-Milap Aussöhnung des Gottes Krishna mit der Göttin Radhika

10

Pavan Nritya Tanz des Vayu, des Sturmgottes

11

Harao-Mehri Versöhnung eines erzürnten Ehemannes mit seinen zwei Frauen

12

Deva Vijaya Nritya Ballett in drei Episoden

Repertoire Regensburg

1

Prelude Orchester

2

Kreeda Nritya Tanz junger Mädchen

3

Manipuri Tanz Tanz in einem Dorf in Manipuri

4

Sanhar Nritya Tanz des Shiva

5

Patang Drachentanz

6

Sarode Solo

7

Usha Tanz der Aurora

8

Tabla Tarang Instrumental

9

Tarana-Ushaq Moghul Serenade

10

Harao-Mehri Versöhnung eines erzürnten Ehemannes mit seinen zwei Frauen

11

Lied

12

Deva Vijaya Nritya Ballett in drei Episoden