Season 2009-2010’s thematic solos and dance drama lineup

Here I list a  few that I have come across:-

• “Ethiraja Vaibhavam” – Solo Dance Feature on ‘Ramanujacharya by Zakir Hussain. Rupa Srikanth’s review can be read here
• Sharanya Sampath’s thematic presentation on “108 Divya Desam”
• Navtej Johar’s Meenakshi memudham Dhehi, a solo BN presentation- Read Review
• Pavithra Srinivasan’s “Sundarakandam”, a solo BN presentation
• Anjaneya Veera by Gayathri and Balagurunathan
• “Kadalagi Kasindhu”, Mystical Journey of Love with choreography by Kavitha Ramu. Saw some fantastic photos of this new production. Will share details when I get to know more. I am planning to do a special post on this one! For now you could browse http://www.kkthemusical.com/index.html
• “Sri Lalitha Nrutyarchanam” by Manju Bhargavee and Group - Read Review
• Madhuvanthi Arun’s Tamizh. Click here for more information
• “Koodi Erundu Kulirendelo Rembavai” from Anitha Guha’s dance school
• Kalakshetra’s “6 part Ramayana series”
• Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam’s “Paavai Noonbu”- it was nationally telecast in DD some years ago
• Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam’s “Dasavatharam” BN solo
• “Viralimalia Kuravanji” by Nrithyodaya(Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam’s dance school)(refer)
• Krishna Kumari Narendran’s “Siva Swaroopa Thandava Lahiri” -Photogallery/ preview
• Krishnakumari Narendran’s “Srisaradhe”
• “Peacock Blue” – Concept Design by Gowri Ramnarayanan, Shhijith Krishna (Dance) Anjana Anand (Dance) Gayathri Venkatraghavan (Vocal)
• “Sita In Navarasa” a dance drama by Suryanarayana Murthy and his group.
• Kerala Kalamandalam presents “Arunachala Kavirayar’s Ramanatakam” kathakali in Tamil
• Radhika Shurajit, Aadal Kaneero MLV80 (preview)

Search our calendar for event timings and venues.

But remember to check since all programs are subject to change

Filed under: Anitha Guha, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Chennai, Dance, December season., Gayathri Balagurunathan, J. Suryanarayana Murthy, Kalakshetra, Kavita ramu, Madras, Madras Music Season, Madras dance Festival, Padma Subrahmanyam, Sheejith Krishna, choreograhers, choreography, dance drama, dance festival, review, students , kuravanji

Muralidharan’s Nrithyakshethra Dance Academy celebrates 30th Anniversary

Nrithyakshethra Dance Academy run by Gurus Madurai N. Muralidaran and his wife Chithra Muralidaran, is celebrating its 30th anniversary from November 10 to 14, 6.30 p.m., at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and on November 16 at Narada Gana Sabha.

In view of the event, students of the school will present ‘Atula Tala Shanmarga Yagnam’, a full Bharatanatyam repertoire in six rare talams, starting from the traditional pushpanjali to tillana. The concept, script and composition are by Guru Muralidaran. The six talams are: Sankeerana Matyam (20 aksharas), Tisra Dhruvam (11 aksharas), Kanda Jempa (8 aksharas), Kanda Thruputa (9 aksharas), Misra Ekam (7 aksharas) and Misra Roopakam (9 aksharas).

Besides, a dance drama ‘Silapathikaram’ will be staged on November 21, 6.30 p.m., at Narada Gana Sabha.

The write up in The Hindu notes that Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala, Priya Murle, Uma Muralikrishna, Kavitha Ramu, Shiva Kumar, Binesh Mahadevan and Padmalakshmi Suresh as well as daughters of dancers including Manasvini (Revathy Ramachandran), Sumithra (Jayanthi Subramaniam), Pavithra Madhuram (Mutharasi) and Kavyalakshmi (Muralidharan daughter) will participate along with senior students of Anitha Guha, Revathy Ramachandran, Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala and Divyasena. 

 For details, contact Muralidaran at 99627 77833 or Chithra Muralidaran at 98405 89429 or 26186110.

Read more

Filed under: Anitha Guha, Arts, Bharathanatyam, Chennai, Dance, Dance Gurus, Kavita ramu, Madras, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, Muralidharan, Narada Gana sabha, Nrithyakshetra, artists, choreograhers, choreography, dance drama, students , Binesh Mahadevan, Divyasena., Jayanthi Subramaniam, Kavitha Ramu, Kavyalakshmi, Manasvini Ramachandran), Padmalakshmi Suresh, Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala, Pavithra Madhuram, Priya Murle, Revathy Ramachandran, Shiva Kumar, Sumithra, Uma Muralikrishna

Music and Dance Season 2009-2010

I will consolidate all posts on the Madras dance and Music Season 2009-2010. For those of you who would like to know what it is like , “The Hindu” had brought out a curtain raiser on the upcoming “Chennai Music and Dance Season 2008″ (PDF version)
This includes an interview with Alarmel Valli. You can download the same at http://www.hindu.com/ms/index.htm

This Season’s Dance Award Winners are listed here

Thematic presentations and dance dramas that are scheduled to be presented for this season are listed here

Madras/Chennai Concerts*

Krishna Gana Sabha’s Natya kala Conference: that is an annual event during the season will be held at the sabha between December 26 and 31, 2009 .This years conference is convened by Ananda Shankar Jayant . The theme is “Dance Matters”.
contact e-mail: anandasj@rediffmail.com

Online Schedules/guides

• The dance concerts we get to know of will be added to our calendar which can be viewed in the middle column of the front page of this blog. I have added schedules from Narada Gana Sabha, Bramha Gana Sabha, Nungambakkam Cultural Academy, Bharat Kalachar, Sri Krishna gana sabha,  Kalakshetra and others (that I came to know o)f. All programs are subject to change.
• A new comprehensive website (http://www.thedecemberseason.com/home.php) has been launched to provide substantial information on schedules and location of concerts, andother related information like lodging and dining.
• Saigan’s Consolidated and updatedMargazhi Season Guide can be found here
• Visit http://artindia.net/madras09/index.html for a listing of  this season’s music and dance performances( Maintained by Sri. G.S. Rajan)
• Mr. Ramkumar’s blog regularly provides Madras Kutcheri  updates (including  the season concerts, esp. for carnatic music concerts)

Updated Sabha/organization Websites

• Madras Music Academy- http://www.musicacademymadras.in/home.php (schedules updated for this year)
• Bharat Kalachar- http://www.bharatkalachar.com/twentythirdmahotsav.html (schedules updated for this year)
• Vani Mahal-http://www.vanimahal.com/isai_iyal_vizha.php (schedules updated for this year)

Tickets Reservation for NRI:
Kartik Fine Arts: NRIs who want to attend the December season concerts can e-mail the sabha Secretary and reserve tickets. Reservation queries must be sent in October. Such people will get preference in issue of tickets. (subject to availability)

KARTIK FINE ARTS[Regd]Registered office address:
New No.16, old no.39,
Bheemana Garden St,
Abhiramapuram,
Chennai- 600018,
Ph:91-44- 24997788.

Administration Office address:
2,Sringeri Mutt Road,
Chennai,
Ph:91-44- 2495 2695.
E.Mail :kartikfinearts@vsnl.net  http://www.kartikfineartschennai18.com/

Swathi Sangeethotsavam is an annual classical music festival celebrated in honour of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (1813 – 1846) the  poet king of the Travancore dynasty. This seven day festival is held annually from January 6 to 12 at the ‘Kuthira Malika’ palace at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India where the king himself composed many of his musical gems.This could be a fantastic add- on to your season pilgrimage.Prince Rama Varma who organizes this music festival extends a warm welcome to all music lovers. These amazing concerts are entirely free . The schedule of Jan 2010 festival is as follows:-

Jan 6  Sanjay Subrahmanyan
Jan 7  Balasai (Flute)
Jan 8 Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna
Jan 9 Varma
Jan 10 Mavelikara P.Subramaniam
Jan 11 Pandit Venkateshkumar (Hindusthani)
Jan12 Seetha Rajan

For more details on this festival visit http://www.aparnaonline.com/princerama.html

Sharing your Schedules

Please feel free to share your performance schedules, reviews and other related info here. Leave it as a comment and I will work on getting it published. Events will be added to our  Event calendar .

Source of Info: Personal emails, Music and Dance Websites, Brochures, Mgazines etc.

*-Please verify program schedules  with newspapers/sabha  as they may be subject to changes

Filed under: A.Lakshman, Anita Ratnam, Anitha Guha, Arts, Bharat Kalachar, Bharatanatyam, Bharathakalanjali, Bharathanatyam, Carnatic Music, Chennai, Chitra Visweswaran, Dance, Dance Gurus, December season., Dhananjayan, Gayathri Balagurunathan, India, Kalakshetra, Kartik Fine Arts, Kavita ramu, Kerala, Krishna Gana Sabha, Madras, Madras Music Academy, Madras Music Season, Madras dance Festival, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, Padma Subrahmanyam, Padma.S. Raghavan, Performing Arts, Prince Rama Varma, Priyadarshini Govind, Rajeswari Sainath, Rasika, Shanta, Sheejith Krishna, Shijith Nambiar, Shobana, Sreekala Bharath, Sri Krishna Gana sabha, Urmila Satyanarayanan, Vijayanthimala Bali, artists, awards, choreograhers, choreography, dance drama, dance festival, experiences, learning, leela samson, program, students, upcoming artist , Ananda Shankar Jayant, December, Kuthiramalika 2010, Natya kala Conference, Pooja Kumar, Season, Swathi Sangeethotsavam, Vani Mahal

Melattur Bhagavatha Mela 2009

Melattur Bhagavatha Mela 2009 will be held between the 22nd and 30th of May.

To know more about Melattur Bhagavatha Mela read earlier post at http://sangeethas.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/melattur-bhagavatha-mela/

Following are the details of the festival.

Venue: Melattur, Tamil Nadu, India  (map)

FESTIVAL SCHEDULEMay 22:
7.30pm: Mangala Isai, Nadaswara by Thirukarugavoor Brothers-TK Ramanan and TK Saravanan
9pm: Inauguration of the Mahotsav
9.30pm: Bhagavata Mela natakam PRAHLADA CHARITRAM

May 23:
7.30pm: Bharatanatyam by Matangi Ravishankar (disciple of KJ Sarasa)
9pm: Bharatanatyam by Swarnamalya Ganesh (disciple of KJ Sarasa)

May 24:
8pm: Select scenes from Bhagavata Mela natakam PRAHLADA CHARITRAM recreated as they were performed a century ago

May 25:
9.30pm: Bhagavata Mela natakam HARISCHANDRA Part 1

May 26:
9.30pm: Bhagavata Mela natakam HARISCHANDRA Part 2

May 27:
7.30pm: Bharatanatyam by students of Sri Purandari Natya Palli, Trichy
8.45pm: Bharatanatyam by Sumana Sen, Divya Shankar, Chikao Sato (disciples of Melattur Srikanth)

May 28:
9.30pm: Bhagavata Mela natakam KAMSA VADHAM

May 29:
9.30pm: Tamil opera VALLI THIRUMANAM in Bhagavata Mela style.

May 30:
6.30pm: Sri Anjaneya Aradhana and Utsav, concluding rituals. SRI PANDURANGA LEELAI by Cuddalore Gopi Bhagavatar and troupe.Procession of deity Sri Narasimha with His consorts.

Contact Details:
Sri. S Natarajan
President & Chairman
63-64, South Street
Melattur 614301
Thanjavur Dist
Tamilnadu
India

Ph: (04374) – 273445

E-mail: bhagavatamela@gmail.com

Source:http://rechitanruthyalaya.wordpress.com/2009/05/21/bhagavata-mela-nataka-mahotsav-2009/

Filed under: Arts, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Carnatic Music, Dance, History of Bharathanatyam, India, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, Performing Arts, Thanjavur, artists, choreography, dance drama, dance festival, experiences, program, promotion , Vijay Madhavan

Rasa Unmasked by Sutra Dance Theatre

“Rasa Unmasked- Wisdom of India, Invoked and Savoured”

“Rasa Unmasked is a new dance work touring Australia and South-East Asia in March and April 2009. It is a sensuous, vibrant performance and the result of a remarkable collaboration, between:

Rasa Unmasked is a sensuous, contemporary dance work that sheds new light on India’s most vital aesthetic theory. The performance premieres in March in Sydney, Australia – before an international tour to Malaysia, Singapore and India.

Rasa Unmasked is the result of a collaboration between Anandavalli & Australia’s Lingalayam Dance Company, Ramli Ibrahim & Malaysia’s Sutra Dance Theatre and ethnomusicologist / composer, Alex Dea – all pioneers of classical art forms in contemporary contexts.

It is a stunning collaboration, seducing Malaysian dance doyen, Ramli, back to Australian shores after more than 25 years, since his time as dancer and choreographer at the Sydney Dance Company.”, says their Media Publicity pages

To watch a video

Find more videos like this on All Around You

Event Calendar

The Australia shows have concluded

Malaysia
KL :April 7th -12th:  Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, KLPac Website
Penang April 15th: Dewan Sri Penang, Penang, Penang Show Website

Singapore
April 19th: Theatre Studio, The Esplanade
India
April 22nd: Chowdiah Hall, Bangalore,
April 25th: Chinmaya Heritage Centre, Chennai
April 28th: Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi

For more details, reviews and to buy tickets visit: http://rasaunmasked.wordpress.com/media-release/

Rasikas vote (watched it- pl vote)

Filed under: Australia, Bangalore, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Chennai, Dance, India, Introduction, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Madras, Malaysia, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, Performing Arts, South Asian Dance, artists, choreograhers, choreography, contemporary, dance drama, experiences, program, promotion , Delhi, Ramli Ibrahim, Sutra Dance Theatre

Bharatha Samudaayam Vaazhgavae’ at Singapore on March 22.

As part of The Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society’s 60th anniversary celebrations, the dance drama ‘Bharatha Samudaayam Vaazhgavae’ will be staged in Singapore on March 22 at the Esplanade Theatre.

Presented by senior dancers Roja Kannan, Priya Murle, Srikanth and Ashwathy Srikanth, this production attempts to bring out the genius of Tamil poet Subramania Bharati.

The production is a creative tapestry of the various moods of Bharati’s lyrics presented in Bharatanatyam format.

The production will comprise three parts — solo, group and dance theatre.

The highlight of the group segment will be the medley of popular Bharatiar songs titled ‘Bhaaratam, Bharati, Bharatam’. The dance theatre segment will feature the classic ‘Panchali Sabadam’.

Read more

Filed under: Dance, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, NRI, Performing Arts, Rasika, SIFAS, Singapore, Tamil, choreograhers, choreography, dance drama, experiences, program, promotion, students , Aswathy, Priya Murle, Roja Kanna, Srikanth

Mudivil Oru Arambham- a contemporary dance drama

Here is an upcoming project from Kalakshetra  students.

Choreographed by Shyamjith Kiran, a Kalakshetra graduate, and set in a college of dance, the dance drama examines the aspirations of young dancers, their dreams and their confrontations with the reality of our consumer society. Kamaal, Guru and Uttaman meet on their first day of college. As they immerse themselves in their ancient art, they bring to their work their diametrically different attitudes and hopes for the future. Kamaal dreams of films and sees dance as a means of attaining stardom. Guru understands that dance is a spiritual art form, an end unto itself and strives to perfect his art with devotion and attention while Uttaman, ambivalent and often cynical, sees only the many things he is unable to attain in the wider world.

As they grow as dancers and as human beings, the three friends prepare to face the world outside the protected environs of their college. How these three young men and their friends find a path through the often sterile wilderness of modern urban life is the substance of this fascinating and beautifully structured production.

It will premiere on March 29, 6.30 p.m., at the Kalakshetra Auditorium.

The dancers are Shyamjith Kiran, Girish, Jayakrishnan, Sanjith Lal, Viraja, Revathy, Sathyapriya, Sruthi and Nishanthie. Nattuvangam is by Hari Padman while the live orchestra comprises Eswar Ramakrishnan (vocal), Sheejith Krishna (mridangam), Sashidar (flute), Ananthanarayanan (veena) and Rijesh (violin). The music is by Jothishmathi, Sheejith Krishna and Eswar Ramakrishnan, while script and dialogue are by Prof. Raghuraman.

For details, call 98842 07516 / 98842 07519.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/03/20/stories/2009032051390500.htm

Filed under: Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Carnatic Music, Chennai, Dance, Kalakshetra, Performing Arts, choreograhers, choreography, dance drama, program, promotion, students

A Thesis Titled “Development of sadir in the court of Raja Serfoji-II (1798-1832) of Tanjore”

Here is a detailed  PhD. Thesis titled “ Development of sadir in the court of Raja Serfoji-II (1798-1832) of Tanjore” submitted to the University of Hyderabad by Radhika V.S, under the supervision of Nataraja Ramakrishna in the year 1996.

The content of the thesis is as follows:-

• Preliminary: (Includes Contents).. Download here
• Chapter 1 (Itroduction,The Colas, Nayaks,the Maratas of Tanjore, Significance, objectives and Scope of Study). Download Here
• Chapter 2( Raja Serfoji II- and his patronage to the development of Art, includes information on Sarawathi Mahal Library, Serfoji II, Music, Dance, Bhagavatamela Nataka, Rules for  Court dancers and Nattuvanars etc.). Download Here
  • Chapter 3  Development of Technique and Format of Sadir (Includes a comparitive study of the adavus in Sangita Saramrita with the current practice, Nirupanas, systematization by the Tanjore Quartet) Download here
  • Chapter 4 Contribution of Court Composers and Musicians (A detailed study on the Tanjore Quartet). Download here
  • Chapter 5 Last Phase of Royal Patronage for Sadir at Tanjore.(Includes a write up on present day scenario and some intersting appendix including a Shapdam on serfoji II, Nirupana text by Serfoji and Interview schedules administered to prince tulajendra Raj Saheb, Guru Kitappa Pillai and Smt. Tilakam, a descendant of the devadasi tradition) Download here

 

It must be noted these are huge PDF files and take a while to download and showup. Dont be worried if the links dont immediately show up on your screen!

Source: http://dspace.vidyanidhi.org.in:8080/dspace/handle/2009/739?mode=full

Filed under: Arts, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Carnatic Music, Dance, Dance Gurus, History of Bharathanatyam, India, Literature, Nattuvangam, Performing Arts, South Asian Dance, Tamil, Thanjavur, adavus, artists, books, choreography, dance drama, experiences, learning, students , devadasi, guru Kitappa Pillai, Serfoji II, Tanjore Quartet

Natyakala conference Updates

This year’s Natyakala conference as you may recall had “Ramayana” as its theme and was convened by Ananda Shankar Jayant.

Interviews with the  participants/presenters at Natyakala conference organized this season (Dec 2008) can be read at Narthaki http://www.narthaki.com/iindex.html

A report by Rajee Mani  on the conference posted in Narthaki may be read at http://www.narthaki.com/info/rev08/rev682.html

A detailed report on the procedding on a day to day account by Pratima Sagar may also be read at http://www.narthaki.com/rindex.html. Look for an article titled Natyakala Conference 2008

Leela Venkatraman’s report in The Hindu – http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/01/02/stories/2009010250970300.htm

Filed under: Anita Ratnam, Arts, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, C.V. Chandrashekhar, Chennai, Dance, Dance Gurus, December season., Krishna Gana Sabha, Literature, Madras, Madras Music Season, Madras dance Festival, Sri Krishna Gana sabha, artists, choreograhers, choreography, dance drama, experiences, learning, review , Conference, lec-dem

Lalgudi’s Dance Ballet “Jaya Jaya Devi” revived…

Jaya Jaya Devi has been in the news for the interesting judgement on copyright issue passed by Madras High Court. The court held in session by  Justice V. Ramasubramanian  said “it was clear from the language of section 17 of the Copyright Act that as a matter of general rule, the author of a work was the first owner of the copyright therein..”

Here is what Cleveland Cultural Alliance (CCA) has to say in their website about the ballet they featured in 1994 .

“This was CCA’s first production. CCA commissioned Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman to compose the music and the lyrics, and Shrimathi Radha to choreograph the ballet. This dance drama celebrated the omnipotence of Devi, or the female aspect of the Divinity. Each aspect of Devi was represented by a different dancer, all of whom were carefully chosen by CCA. Notable among them were Mahalakshmi as Uma, Anita Ratnam as Durga and Sreelatha Rajamoney as the female aspect of Ardhanareeswara. G. Narendra played the role of Shiva, and P.C.Ramakrishna in the role of Nandi provided the narrative links between the sequences. CCA undertook the entire production of this lyrical ballet as well as its N.American tour of 25 cities where it played to sold out audiences. “

Photo Credits: Carnatic darbar

The Ballet was recently revived and staged in Chennai.. This time the dancers were Meenakshi Srinivasan, Mythili Prakash, Kirti Ramgopal, Tara Raman, Preeti Hariharan, Vibhushitha Chandrasekaran, Shraddha Balasubramanian, N. Shyamala and Meera Srikant , J. Suryanarayanamurthy, S. Shivakumar, Binesh Mahadevan, with Yathin Agarwal and E.D. Venkatasubramanian.

Carnatic Darbar faetures a review of Jaya Jaya Devi that gives more details about the opera..Please read it here.

 

Links:

• The Copyright judgement: http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022752730400.htm
• CCA Website: http://www.thehorizons.com/cca/pastprod.htm
•  Jaya Jaya Devi- offical webiste- http://www.jayajayadevi.org/
• Carnatic darbar review- http://www.carnaticdarbar.com/News/200802/20081006.asp
• Jaya jaya devi’s preview in The Hindu: http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/10/03/stories/2008100351390400.htm

Filed under: Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Carnatic Music, Chennai, Dance, Dance Gurus, Madras, Narada Gana sabha, Performing Arts, Radha, USA, choreograhers, choreography, dance drama, program, review , Jaya Jaya devi, Kirti Ramgopal, lalgudi Jayaraman, Mythili Prakash