Ardhaang is an invocatory item in praise of the Lord Ardhanarishvara, a combined form of Shiva and Parvati. It represents the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe - the Yin and Yang, and illustrates how Shakti, the female principle of God is inseparable from Shiva, the male principle of God.
Lyrics and music composition by Pundit Birju Maharaj, compsoed in taal Teevra, timecycle of 7 beats.
Ardhaang was performed by Avinav Mukherjee and Shivangi Dake Robert from Apsaras Arts Dance Company, Singapore for RASAS at da:ns Festival 2018 presented by the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, Singapore.
The dancers were accompanied by Susanth Parambath and Sibani Roy on the vocals, Mihir Kundu and Supriyo Banerjee on the Tabla, Mulla Afsar Khan on the Bols and Pakhawaj and Susanta Chowdhury on the Sitar, faculty members of the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society. This performance for RASAS was directed by Aravinth Kumarasamy of Apsaras Arts Company, Singapore