Friday 27 March 2015

Kuchipudi Performance - Program Note - Hyderabad Central University - March 2015



Lalitha Sindhuri - Kuchipudi Performance::
27/ March 2015::
DST Auditorium, HCU
Hyderabad Central University, Hyderabad
University of Hyderabad Concert Series

Program Note




The concert would be a varied blend of songs showcasing you the Happy dancing of Ganesha, Tandava of Shiva, Madhura Bhakthi of Meera bai, the romance of a heroine in Javali, the victory of Goddess Durga and a beautiful Lullaby sung by a mother.

Invocatory item is Ananda nartana ganapathi , a keerthana on the dancing Ganesh (Narathana Ganapathi) composed by Oothukkadu Venkata Subbayya set to Gambheera nata ragam, Adi Talam.
Performers: Lalitha Sindhuri, Swapna Krishnamohan



Shankara Sri giri Natha Prabho , a keerthana of Swathi Thirunal on Lord Nataraja in Hamsanandi ragam, Adi Talam
Performer: Lalitha Sindhuri

Narayaneeyam, a Sadasiva Brahmendra Swamy keerthana
Performer: Swapna Krishnamohan

Meera Bhajan – Darbari Kanada Ragam
Performer: Lalitha Sindhuri

Javali – Kapi ragam
Performer: Lalitha Sindhuri

Jaya Jaya Durge – Tarangam- a composition of Narayana Therthar
Performer: Lalitha Sindhuri

Jo Atchutananda – Navaroj Ragam – composition of Saint Annamacharya
Performer: Lalitha Sindhuri
Lighting: Sri Rahamathulla
Sound: Ajay audios

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Thursday 26 March 2015

A REPORT ON KRAMA- AN INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE FESTIVAL IN WEST LONDON.- MARCH 2015



 Sahasra Fine Arts, led by Sarvani Yadavalli, celebrated an Indian Classical Dance Festival –“KRAMA”, meaning Lord Vishnu (n) and Sequence (v) on March 8th 2015 @ West London. The event was a very satisfying event in the Indian Classical Dance Scenario of London with around 300 people witnessing a pure Indian Classical Dance Festival.

 Krama took the audience through different incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is known as the Supreme Protector of Life. ‘Dasavataram’ is a story of 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu at different times when he descended to Earth to save mankind from prevailing evil forces. KRAMA showcased sequences of various incidents of Lord Vishnu, through three different flavours of Indian classical dance forms - Kuchipudi from the South-east, Kathak from the North and Mohiniattam from the southern end of Indian subcontinent. This event combined presentations from professional artists and the students of Sahasra Fine Arts who desire to excel in Indian Classical Dancing.

 The event started at 2PM and the anchor for the event Ms. Bhanu Sistla welcomed the audience and took us through the journey of Sahasra Fine Arts (SFA). Then, the curtain rose with the students of SFA reciting the Natya Sastra Slokas. As the event was celebrated on the international women’s day, the first item was on Parvati Devi in Mohiniattam style describing the great qualities of the "devi".




 Later, the event focussed on the theme selected KRAMA and there were different items taking the audience through different yugas and showing different incarnations. This was done in three dance styles and the narration at the back ground by Sarvani provided a connection between the yugas and made us understand the theme. The students of SFA and the professional artists danced to great lyrical compositions in three different flavours of India. Ms. Mukti Shri enthralled the audience with her captivating abhinaya in Ram Bhajan and Ms. Ranjitha showcased the grace of Mohiniattam in a very beautiful manner. The students of SFA danced to the choreographies of Sarvani on Annamayya and tyagaraja kerthanas. The event concluded with the focus shifting to the other meaning of the theme Krama- Sequence with the Kathak dancers doing a rhythmic composition.

 “I am flabbergasted by the choice of songs and the stunning choreography. It was a delight to the eyes watching the little ones charmingly dancing to the steps, matching the rhythm.”- A member of the audience mentioned.

 The guests of the event Sri Madhava Turumella, Sri. Prabhakar kaza and Smt. Lakshmi Kaul felicitated the guest artists and presented mementos to all the participants. The event concluded with the director of SFA- Sarvani presenting vote of thanks.

Thanks to Sahasra for the report

sahasra, sarvani yadavalli, (C), london, krama, mar2015, 8, report, contributor, papers, priyalasya, do not copy, copyrights acknowledged

Sunday 22 March 2015

Kuchipudi - Kuchipudi Workshop in Kolkata - A Report - March 2015


Kuchipudi Art Academy - Workshop - Kolkata - March 2015- A Report:


Dancers of Kolkata had a wonderful opportunity to attend to a Kuchipudi workshop from Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai, which was established by Kuchipudi Guru Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam, and conducted by one of the leading exponents of Kuchipudi , Smt Srimayi Vempati  for a span ten days. 

She conducted a ten days workshop in the nuances of Kuchipudi dance at The Mysore Hall in South Kolkata from 13th March to 22nd March, 2015 

 Participants were grouped according to the knowledge they had about Kuchipudi. There was a group for absolute beginners as well and it they could learn right from the basics. 

 The workshop everyday started with a Pranam followed by Adavus and Jatis. Other lessons included Poorvarangam , an invocatory number where the dancers offered their salutations to Nataraja and Parvati , Mara Katha Manimaya , an Abhinaya elucidating Krishna’s childhood pranks and Swarajati. The most attractive item taught was Tillana. Based on raag Hindolam it was a highly enriched item full of joy and intricate movements.

 Mrs Vempati’s approach to the workshop was that apart from teaching the techniques and skills she also taught her students the right thought process , attitude, discipline and dedication which is as important as learning the dance. Even after hour of rigorous practice she could get the support and enthusiasm to give in a little more effort every day. 

 The workshop was not limited to practical learning only. Students were incorporated with theoretical knowledge of Natyasashtra, Pada Bhedas and Hasta Mudras which helped them to delve into the root of the dance form.

 This workshop left the students of Kolkata eagerly looking forward to the next workshop. Students in modern times are engaged into so many things and and have so less time to dedicate, the workshop made the best use of the time they get with their beloved ‘Srimayi Di’ imbibing from her not only her art, but also as a way of life.

Report from Kuchipudi Art Academy


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Sunday 15 March 2015

An Enjoyable Odissi and Bharatanatyam Performance - Vaikom - A Report

An Enjoyable Odissi and Bharatanatyam Performance - Vaikom - A Report
Contributor- Shubha Nagarajan


February 22, 2015- As artistes,we always dream of showcasing our art in front of many people. The bigger the audience,the more viewership,the better we feel.It gives us the impression that the entire crowd applauded and appreciated us.A houseful auditorium means we have a responsibility to be perfect,to do our best,and that somehow dancing in front of a large number of people means more merit to us.
That should make us feel great,right?

Well, not always. Sometimes a small group is better. Recently,I,along with my co-dancers Abhaya and Siddharatha was invited by the lovely dancer Paris Laxmi to perform Odissi at her School,Kalashakti Mandapam in Vaikom,Kerala. As this was the first time Odissi was ever being performed in VaiKom,we were excited and we put together a good mix of items,and combinations of solo,duets and trios.



Paris Laxmi, created a neat little stage, with thatched roof and simple seating arrangements reminded us of the olden days in the village where all night dramas,dances and harikathas were held.

As evening approached,and we got ready, slowly people started trickling in.About 60-70 people had gathered. We started the show with a puja to light the lamp on stage.

We began with a Shiva Stuti,then an Ashtapadi,followed by a pure item duet.Abhaya continued with an Odiya solo item. The high energy Ahir Bhairav pallavi was the highlight.We concluded with Moksha,and a prayer for universal peace.

I found some things very interesting.The 60 or so people who had come to watch us  were an eclectic mix of dance students, French, American, and a few others.

Maybe it was the enthusiasm  and curiosity of the audience who came from far and near to watch us,the sincerity of the organisers Laxmi and Sunil,the atmosphere created by the dimly lit oil lamps and the rustic auditorium,that all 3 or us felt this strong fire within us and we danced for 1 hour 45 minutes with a strangely high spirit and energy. Despite the sultry and hot weather,we did not feel tired,nor did we realise the time flying.We danced with joy and flow of happiness .

Laxmi and Sunil were very happy,and so were the audience. Each and every person came up and appreciated our performance.They were curious about the Odissi style. A few hoped to learn it some day, others had keenly observed the unique features of this dance and discussed it with us.The foreign tourists were so enamoured by the stamping of the feet for rhythm,and of course our costumes. We were very satisfied with our performance. Afterwards Laxmi treated the us and her relatives to an impromptu Bharatnatyam recital.


In the olden days,private concerts or baithaks used to be held. A lot more energy is exchanged between the performer and the audience when its a small closed setting .The performer connects with the people in front of him/her.

Performing in front of a few but informed audience, was in fact very nice experience, as I enjoyed watching dance and music programs and realised how the physical and non physical elements come together to give that energy and spirit to a performer. It is these unusual places and people who  give us such opportunities to perform that become more memorable and what we cherish for a long time.
-Shubha Nagarajan

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Wednesday 11 March 2015

Creative Spirit - Veena and Bharatanatyam - March 2015

"Creative spirit " an innovative dance and music presentation that was staged on the 7th of March 2015 on the occasion of Trinity Festival of Indian Arts academy, Melbourne. Dancing to the soulful stringing of Rajesh Vaidya's Veena was Kavya , who in her own way showed that dance can be a dramatic way of communication beyond culture and language. Dance transcends geography and language, which music may not . As Rajesh Vaidya played varieties in music Kavya danced to the same with no prior rehearsal , it was lucid and spontaneous , and this was well received by the audience who were totally engrossed in it . 
Thanks to Rajesh Vaidya, Suresh Babu , Parameswaran , Yogan Kandasamy , and Kannan for their wonderful support.




Thanks to Sri Ramachandran Muralidharan

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Wednesday 4 March 2015

Dance Review- Pay Attention



Dance Reviews:

Why dance reviews are still very important?

Primarliy:

> Do not get confused with dance reports, program reviews and notes to dance reviews.

> Not every review is a review. Reviews in national news papers from known and acknowledged critics carry more weight as compared to simple and general reviews from attendees.

True Critic:

The true critic is a true friend. I come up with good amount of post- performance material but nothing is more valuable than a good third party, unrelated but neutral critic. A true critic bridges the distance between the dancer and the common man

Role of Organizers:

Even organizers should not shy away from giving importance and respect to neutral writers. Most of the organizers fear that the repute of their events would get tarnished if there is a bad review. But remember, everybody knows that an organizer has nothing to do with the reviews of a neutral writer and standing the test of a neutral and learnt critic enhances the reputation of the organizer in the long run. 

Never allow conflict of interest and never try to denounce a critic - readers/ enthusiasts play a key role here:

Both organizers and dancers should never interfere with a critic's work. Patience pays and  if dancer's pay attention to the material and analyses the content of the review, it would prove to be a valuable lesson and exercise.


Lastly:

Pay attention to dance reviews, don't pay to dance reviewers to get a good review. 

(C), do not copy, copyrights acknowledged, article, mar2015, priyalasya



Tuesday 3 March 2015

Devmudraa group performs Bharata Natyam at Natyanjali Festival in Mumbai: A Report - February 2015

Devmudraa group performs Bharata Natyam at Natyanjali Festival in Mumbai: A Report- 19/Feb/2015: Chembur




Sri Subramanya Samaj Temple, Chembur has been organizing ten day festival on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri in Mumbai for the last ten years. 

            Every year more than hundred artistes participate along with senior and emiment guru’s special performance on Shivaratri day in the temple sanctorium where specially built stage is built in front of Lord Nataraja’s idol. Every day four slots are available for artistes of all classical dances and dancers from all over the country and abroad participate in this pious festival. Mohini Attam Exponent Smt Jayshree Nair of Upasana Arts, Mumbai and Sri Sudhakaran Nair have been taking great efforts to restore and conduct this festival in the traditional manner in the similar lines with Chidambaram and Tanjavur temple festivals.

The budding dancers Shital Kshotriya, Sai Ghadge, Aditi Kakne & Ishita Kulkarni, disciples of V Soumyasri, Director, Devmudraa a movement school were fortunate to get an opportunity to perform in this festival on 19th February and represent their city, Aurangabad. They performed Pushpanjali, Mallai, Shivastuti, Kali Rave and Mangalam in Bharata Natyam.            

             The artistes consider performing during this Mahashivatri time as a blessing from Lord Nataraja.



*thank you for the write-up - v.soumya sri
devmudraa, bharatanatyam, natyanjali, mumbai, (C), contributor, feb2015, papers, report, 11,