Tuesday 28 April 2015

Classical Dance Books - Offer - The Dance of Orissi

For Indian classical dance lovers and especially for practitioners of Odissi dance, here is an important book on the subject with rare photographs and in-depth, scholarly text.



THE DANCE ORISSI
Author(s): Mohan Khokar, Ashish Khokar
Publisher: Abhinav Publications, 2011
Format: Hardbound coffee-table book.
Size: 30.5 cm x 22.3 cm
Pages: 339 pages, widely illustrated both in colour and b&w with rare photographs.
Condition: Pre-Owned - Excellent / Like New.

Printed price: Rs. 3360/-
Discounted price: Rs. 2200/-
Some images of the book and the contents are attached herewith for the perusal of those interested.
Please email your order request on kumarclassicbookpoint@gmail.com 
We are offering the cash-on-delivery option in Mumbai. Delivery in Mumbai is free. 
Please email us for any further queries in order to serve you better. 

For all details and future correspondence:
Kumar Classic Book Point, Mumbai
Dealers in Antiquarian Books and Art-related Media
Contact: +91 - 8879431305

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Thursday 23 April 2015

Ashish Mohan Khokar's attandance- The Dance Annual of India 2014-15 - Telugu Traditions - Dance Book of the Year 2014

Ashish Mohan Khokar's attandance- The Dance Annual of India 2014-15 - Telugu Traditions - Dance Book of the Year 2014- bhavanvitha@gmail



 Ashish Mohan Khokar’s “attendance”- the dance annual of india 2013-14, guest edited by Ananda Shankar Jayant is a virtual library in one book.

 The library is quite expansive in its reach and each of the contents makes you discover and initiate a new journey of thought through a very artistically mapped narrative. The book is to be stayed with and read in any manner wished be It flipping into different chapters or if you so prefer, from beginning to end.

First, the rich content is well studied and laid out and secondly, the broad reach and it's manner of approach engages you as a reader, as a journeyer into different times through a time machine, as a spectator to an interview in one of the chambers or even as a researcher looking into the various facets of the rich dance traditions and personalities.

 The sections cover wide-ranging topics, it has the recollection of renowned dancers like senior disciple of Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam, Smt Bala Kondala Rao, Sri Ravi Shankar Vempati, Smt Manju Bharggavi, interviewing of Smt Sobha Naidu, of introductions to the young the upcoming and senior dancers and researched content like that of Anuradha Jonnalagadda and Aruna Bhikshu’s  article on Bhama Kalapam to a talk with dancers like Mallika Sarabhai . They being senior dancers  and highly accomplished at that, the construction of their writings builds the legends in the readers mind leaving one with an impression of that having a personal meeting.  

 A reading of “attendance” makes one realize that dance is not just about dance, not just about a performance on a stage, is not a subject that one learns… that goes beyond and is it is the gathering of evolved human emotions and essence of times. Efforts like bringing a book like this are rare and even rarely patronized, perhaps even difficult to bring out by just any other publisher.

Coming back to the contents, Even before you think what is mentioned above by itself is quite elaborate, the book effortlessly provides coverage of various traditions not just Kuchipudi alone, of Melattur tradition, Andhra Natyam, Devadasi heritage etc.

Instead of taking the wide view of the library that “attendance- telugu traditions”, I feel it is better to recommend the book for reading and make you enjoy the experience or learn about the richness that about the “telugu traditions”. After all, the edition is covering a very vibrant culture with rich and colorful pictures, beautifully sequenced narrative and engages the reader leaving him to ask for more. Quality content.
 Suggestions wise, firstly, I felt the future of the various traditions covered needed an outlook and that is important for any tradition. 

 Second, a critical look at some creative work, including some of the present days works could have be assessed in the background of times and there could be some critical views expressed by either the dancers or the editor. After all the guest editor Is an accomplished and acclaimed dancer and choreographer. 

 Third it can take a view on the need for  the governments to encourage, preserve, protect, document and contribute for the cause of the traditions. One specific topic that I wished in the book, being a Kuchipudi dancer myself, is on the male dancer in the modern times who is in a dilemma and facing intriguing cause and effects of the merging cultures.

 I congratulate the team for.. bringing this “library” for it must have been a very satisfying journey. Ashish’s “poorvarangam” of the edition is by way of a picture, his falling at the feet of “telugu” represented by a dancing small girl in her full dance costume is literally quite speaking.

- bhavanvitha@gmail

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Tuesday 21 April 2015

Pravaha- 2015- Post Performance Notes of Sri Ratikant Mohapatra



Pravaha 2015 organised by Sanjali Centre for Odissi Dance, Bangalore

Wonderful Experience

I was in joy watching a splendid group performance by the Sanjali dancers performing their newly choreographed items - 'Yaman Pallavi' and 'Ganga', composed by Sharmila Mukherjee. Beside being a sincere and dedicated Odissi dancer, Sharmila's new avatar as a choreographer is certainly welcoming. It's heartening to see her journey since 1984 till today; the huge passage of time, moulded ordinary Sharmila to Guru Sharmila Mukherjee.

I thank Sharmila for her kind invitation and making me part of Pravaha through which I could pay my humble salutation to my father and Guruji Sri Kelucharan Mohapatra in his 11th year of passing.

Pravaha 2015 organised by Sanjali Centre for Odissi Dance, Bangalore

SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE 
 I am happy to state that Babee Apa (Smt. Aruna Mohanty) brought in her substantial experience and efficiency in delineating the theme ‘Bhumisutaa’; this was nice, and the Bangalore audience was generous in its applause for one of Odissi’s senior most dancers. It was evident that much thought and preparation has gone into creating this composition, and in the result, was certainly pleasing.

Pravaha 2015 organised by Sanjali Centre for Odissi Dance, Bangalore
Performance par-excellence

Executing Ragesri pallavi Madhusmita was at her best. It is always pleasing to watch Madhusmita and her constant evolving as a complete performing artiste. Wish her all success in life.

Program details:
19- April 2015- Bangalore
Sanjali Centre for Odissi Dance presents Pravaha , as a tribute to Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.

4.30-6 p.m -a panel discussion on "Guru Shishya Parampara in the changing world of Indian Classical Dance" by eminets Gurus and scholars

6.15 p.m -8.30 p.m -Odissi performances by Sanjali ensemble, Duet presentation by Argha Chaterjee and Arpita Venkatesh from Kolkata and eminent danseuse and choreographer Guru Aruna Mohanty with her senior disciple Madhusmita Mohanty with live orchestra.

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Wednesday 15 April 2015

Samarpana – An evening of Mohiniyattam :: Program Note - April 2015

Samarpana – An evening of Mohiniyattam :: Program Note - April 2015



Samarpana – An evening of Mohiniyattam By Tapasya (Amrutha, Bindu, Manjulekha, Vinaya) On 17th April 2015 , 6 pm Sevasadan,

14TH Cross Road, West Park Road,

Malleshwaram, Bangalore

Tapasya - an Indian classical dance group, formed by a group of passionate dancers who extend their dreams beyond their professional and family realms. The dancers having trained under the famous Mohiniyattam exponent Kerala Karnataka Kalashree Guru Sreedevi Unni, have performed at various prestigious dance festivals like MohiniNrithyotsav, World Dance day, Hampi festival and ISKON in addition to also performing on stage at Guruvayoor, Raveendra Kalakshetra, Chowdaiah hall amongst others.

Tapasya presents “Samarpana” as a Dakshina to their Guru, who guided them into the enchanting world of Mohiniyattam and helped them pursue their passion for dancing. This program will be held at Sevasadan Auditorium, 14th Cross, West Park Road, Malleshwaram on 17th April 2015.

In a step away from the traditional format, the narthakis have composed a unique format of the invocatory Item – Cholkettu as a special dedication piece to the guru. This rendition is a combination of shlokas invoking Lord Ganesha, Bhoomi Devi, Shiva and Krishna ending with the shloka - Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu.

The evening of Mohiniyattam is performed by 4 dancers and will present a dance drama “Ganga Ulpathy” in addition to the Padams and the final piece of the evening – the Thillana

*Thanks to Tapasya

B-412, Itina Abha, Munnekolala, Marathahalli, Bangalore - 560037

E-mail: tapasya.mohinyattam@gmail.com

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Thursday 2 April 2015

New Music Compositions for Odissi Dance - Suggestions - April 2015









Contributor Sri Jagabandhu Jena

 I request the musicians of Bhubaneswar specially for Odissi dance. Whenever any dancer from out side comes here for a new composition , kindly be serious about the reality of that composition that should be like Odissi. Because non Odiya dancers have very less knowledge and experience about ODISSI RAG , TAAL, GAYAKI .I specially mean for the dancers who dont have respect for ODISSI, ODIYA CULTURE and doing experiement ,,,,,,means who only use Odissi according to their own interest . Be aware of them .


 Use of BINA, BENU , MARDAL and MANJIRA with specific Odissi TAAL and Singing style of Odissi is most important. So it is our moral responsibility to guide her / him to maintain the classicism of Odissi music. We should not be purchased . I have seen many times that non Odiya dancers have taken help of Odiya Musicians but that compose were not proper Odissi ,,,,,,,it was really disappointing.

Your comments?

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