Dances of India: Incandescent

Everybody wants to be loved, but not everybody can keep a relationship together. In the Indian myth of Surya, even a celestial being must learn to adapt to hold on to his partner. Surya is the daughter of the cosmic architect, and she catches the romantic fancy of the sun. The two are wed, but Surya soon suffers from the sun's blazing heat and runs away. She attempts to change for her husband's benefit, but it's not enough, and the relationship seems doomed. Despondent, the sun approaches Surya's father for advice and receives some tough love: Maybe the sun has to make some changes to himself before their love can fully blossom? Nartana Premachandra adapted the story into the dance piece Incandescent, which Dances of India performs at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday (November 13 through 15) at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts (425 South Lindbergh Boulevard; 314-997-0911 or www.dancesofindiastlouis.org). The show is is in honor of Dr. Premachandra, Dances of India's founder and Nartana's father, who passed away last year. It is a loving tribute to the good advice fathers have shared for generations, even if we don't always listen. Tickets are $15 to $20.