Aishwarya Dhanush performs Bharatanatyam at the UN, but not all are impressed

Rajinikanth’s daughter Aishwarya R Dhanush’s Bharatanatyam performance at the United Nations on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8) is attracting a lot of unsavoury comments on the social media. Dance experts apart, even regular fans have come down heavily on the ‘performance’, with many calling it ‘pathetic’, and ‘shocking’. Some have even accused her of nepotism, alleging that she got a chance to perform at the UN only because she was a celebrity.

In a related report, speaking to India Today, a dancer said, “The postures are terrible. No proper footwork. That’s not how a Bharatnatyam recital takes place. The whole song is basically unutilised. If you notice, she is neither dancing to lyrics nor to the bol. From the lack of grace, it is very evident that she is not a ‘dancer’. Also, considering how she is performing worse than a beginner in Bharatnatyam, she shouldn’t have been on stage in the first place, leave alone at the UN. I think it’s very disgraceful.”

The filmmaker-dancer performed to Bho Sambho, a vibrant opening sequence in honour of the lord of the dance ‘Nataraj’ or Lord Shiva. A rendition through Bharatanatyam of legendary Carnatic vocalist MS Subbulakshmi’s iconic song Maithreem Bhajata brought the curtains down on the event.

Aishwarya was appointed as the UN Women’s Advocate for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in India in 2016.

“Aishwarya will help raise awareness of UN Women’s core message of gender equality and women’s empowerment across India, boosting the organisation’s efforts to close the gender gap and achieve a more equal world -- a Planet 50-50, by the year 2030,” a UN release said.

With PTI inputs
Follow @htshowbiz for more