DVD Launch by Padmasri Smt. Chitra Visweswaran

Padmasri Smt. Chitra Visweswaran has recently launched two DVDs with a collaboration with eParampara Infotainment, “Anu Smruti” and “Natya Nivedana”, containing selected items from her recitals during the early 1990s.

Anu Smruti

Anu Smruti is a collection of items chosen from the dancer’s performance at Sri Lanka. The following are the items presented in this DVD:

1. Anjali. Ragam: Gambhira Naatai. Talam: Tisra Ekam
2. Kali Kowthuvam. Ragam: Hamsadhwani. Talam: Kanda Chapu
3. Varnam – Velanidam Poi Solladi. Ragam: Vachaspathi. Talam: Adi
4. Aduvum Sollavaal. Ragam: Sourashtram. Talam: Adi
5. Kaa.. Vaa.. Vaa.. Ragam: Varaali. Talam: Adi
6. Ramar Thaalaatu. Ragam: Ragamalika. Talam: Adi
7. Thillana. Ragam: Ranjani. Talam: Adi

Natya Nivedana

This DVD contains handpicked items from the dancer’s performance at the United Kingdom. The following are the items included in Anu Smruti:

1. Aananda Nardhana Ganapathim Bhaavaye. Ragam: Naatai. Talam: Adi
2. Varnam – Innum Yen Manam. Ragam: Charukesi. Talam: Adi
3. Dasar Krithi – Neenyaako. Ragam: Ragamalika. Talam: Adi
4. Meera Bhajan. Ragam: Bhairavi. Talam: Adi
5. Thillana. Ragam: Ranjani. Talam: Adi
6. Mangalam + Slokam

Read about the lanch here on the Hindu.

The DVDs are available for purchase online too and a routine search for the DVD’s will help you find the online outlets.

Purchaser caution is advised while selecting the source.

Filed under: Arts, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Chennai, Chitra Visweswaran, DVD, Dance, Performing Arts, choreography

Orchestrated troubles…

A prominent dancer is getting ready for her program at a dance festival. The vocalist calls in saying she wont be able to make it “Family problems!!!”  The stunned dancer recovers and finds a student with whom she has to make do.

At this place, there are no violinists, the violinist is flown in from neighboring Country (Parents pay for the airfare and the fee). The lonesome Mridangist is supposed to make good the occasion!!! That escalated the arangetram costs people pronounce..

“Are we any less than the Silicon Valley fellows?” Why shouldn’t we expect a good pay?, questions a musician…

Why not CD?

Anitam Ratnam uses them! “High quality CD’s are way better than  “sumar” singing says a teen. A middle aged traditionalist says,” cha what is a dance program without live music”

I ask a talented dancer if the mallari wouldnt look a tad more refined if it was sung at a slighlty slower tempo..

“Akka, it was a commercial recording, they put in as many as possible for economic factors. If I made one to my own choreography a margam would cost me Rs. 30,000!” She sighs and adds who pays me for it though. This will do!

A student checks with her teacher if a commercial recording can be used for performance at school? Go ahead says the teacher, otherwise who would even think of buying those CD’s she quips. They look like Tollywood pieces she smirks because of the speed..

Current forums have suggested training/using upcoming carnatic musicians. One friend says, ” oh she flatly refused to sing for dance, dosent want to spoil her voice ! Even veterans are upset about their stint accompanying the dancers”

“My guru dosent give casettes easily and she dosent let me share them” sadly confesses a dancer to a friend afraid that would end their comradeship.

Well the problem is multidimensional alright..

Using of amateurs trained in carnatic music vocal/instrumental/mridangam seems like a good option as suggested in a few forums, at least where quality artists are unavailable or unaffordable for the particular event . But practice and relearning a few aspects may be necessary and should be taken in the right spirits.

So if you are are a trained carnatic musician(vocalist or instrumentalist) and would like to try accompanying dancers, please leave your  details here

1. Your name and age
2. City/Country of residence
3. Your specialisation (vocal/which instrument)
4. Your training details/how long have you trained/experience etc.
5. Contact email/website URL.

As Ashwini comments, “VDS Arts Academy” has a registry of upcoming musicians and dancers. You could try contacting them for suggestions at :

VDS Arts Academy
(Arts wing of Muthukrishnan Memorial Club),

20,IV Lane, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600034.

Phone: 044 – 28117485 / 24333746 / 28142359 / 94441 72342

e-mail: vdsartsacademy@yahoo.co.in

Filed under: Arts, Bharatanatyam, CD, Carnatic Music, DVD, Dance, India, NRI, Nattuvangam, Performing Arts, Rasika, VCD, artists, choreograhers, choreography, do's and don'ts for dancers, experiences, learning, students, talent, upcoming artist

An Online Degree program in Bharathanatyam

Alagappa Performing Arts Academy (APAA), in collaboration with the Alagappa University offers an online degree program in Bharathanatyam. Here is how they introduce their program…

“Bharathanatyam students spend years learning the art and perfecting the practice to perform the ‘Arangetram’ that can take from 5 to 7 years. If a student were to pursue academic studies during this time, they would be able to complete post-graduate collegiate education. However in the pursuit of learning Bharathanatyam, dancers are not awarded degrees or certifications for their accomplishments.

The (APAA), based in Escondido, California, USA has designed a novel academic curriculum in Bharathanatyam to demonstrate the repertoire of culture that is imbedded in the classical art of Bharathanatyam. In collaboration with Alagappa University, Tamil Nadu, India and leading artistes, APAA has developed a ‘Structured Learning Program’ in Bharathanatyam that enables a student to obtain a:

1. Certificate in Bharathanatyam (1 to 3 year duration)

2. Associate Degree (1 year after Certificate)

3. Diploma (1 year after Associate Degree)

4. B.A. Degree in Bharathanatyam (1 year after Diploma)

This unique degree program has been designed with specific coursework and practicals that a student has to successfully complete to get the respective certification. This is a pioneering effort that will be of great value to students. Effective detailed aids have been developed to enhance the learning process with a comprehensive review of the various aspects of Bharathanatyam that have been formatted in textbooks and interactive DVDs that vividly describe the precise execution of this art.

The program has been launched in the US, Malaysia, Canada, Denmark, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and is being launched in other parts of the world. Please visit www.bharathanatyamonline.com for more details and feel free to send your enquiries to info@alagappaarts.com.”

Filed under: Arts, CD, Chennai, DVD, Dance, Dance Gurus, Institutes, Introduction, Madras, NRI, Performing Arts, USA, VCD, artists, learning, program, promotion, students

Dancing for the Gods by Preeti Vasudevan

URL: http://www.dancingforthegods.org/

Dancing for the Gods is an interactive multimedia website dedicated to Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest and best-loved classical dance forms. This amazing project is the brain child of Preeti Vasudevan, a long time student of the Dhanajayans. She also holds a Masters in Choreography and Movement Analysis from London which equips her to scientifically analyze the technique of Bhartahnayam without losing on its tradition. This indeed is a unique presentation.

The Project aims to bring the art form to a newer, younger audience using the incredible learning potential of the Internet. Whether you’re a student of dance, a teacher….or you’re just interested in Indian classical culture, I think you’ll find lots to interest you here!

They have a wide range of activities, videos and animation that can be used in classroom situations. There is a moderated discussion board that allows interaction and discussion on topics in related areas .

There is a Demo for an overview of what’s on offer. Registration is free – so if you like what you see, you can sign up and participate in their forum, learn the technique and much much more.

Filed under: Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, CD, DVD, Dance, Dance Gurus, Dhananjayan, Institutes, Introduction, Performing Arts, South Asian Dance, USA, VCD, artists, choreograhers, choreography, experiences, learning, students, talent, upcoming artist

Looking for an authentic CD on Padams and Javalis?

If you are looking for a recording of padams and javalis with an old world charm, here is something that will interest you…

T. MUKTHA – PADAMS & JAVALIS. (Excerpts from live concert Sept. 1999). CD. [Srishti's Carnatica. CAR CD 1082. Rs. 125].

Kuvalayakshiro – Gaulipantu – Misra Chapu (Kshetrayya)
Mosamaya – Ahiri – Misra Chapu (Kshetrayya)
Yarukkagilum – Begada – Misra Chapu (Ghanam Krishna Iyer)
Neyyamuna – Ghanta – Misra Jhampa (Kshetrayya)
Emi mayamu – Kambhoji – Roopakam (Pattabhiramayya)
Smarasundaranguni – Paras – Adi (Dharmapuri Subbarayar)
Velavare – Bhairavi – Adi (Ghanam Krishna Iyer)
Meragadu – Athana – Adi (Chinnayya)
Payyada – Nadanamakriya – Tisra Triputa (Kshetrayya)
Narimani – Khamas – Adi (Dharmapuri Subbarayar)
Parulanamata – Kapi – Roopakam (Dharmapuri Subbarayar)
Vagaladi – Behag – Roopakam (Tirupati Narayanaswami)
Marubari – Jhinjhoti – Roopakam (Dharmapuri Subbarayar)

Accompanists:

S. Sowmya – vocal support; Savitri Satyamurthy – violin; P. Ganesh – chitraveena; Umayalpuram Mali – mridanga.
Released by Srishti’s Carnatica under their ‘Parampara Vintage Classics series’, Padams & Javalis is a rich tribute to the legacy of Sangeeta Kala Acharya T. Muktha. The music of the padam-s and javali-s is of the highest order. Though recorded late in Muktha’s career, it provides a fine sample of the ‘Brinda-Muktha’ style of the Dhanammal bani.

Source: Sruti Magazine

Filed under: Abhinaya, Arts, Ashta Nayikas, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, CD, DVD, Dance, Dance Gurus, Padam, Performing Arts, Rasika, T.Muktha, VCD, artists, choreograhers, choreography, experiences, javali, learning, promotion, students, talent, titles, upcoming artist

Bharathanatyam Practice session

Here is something technical excellence that all of you might like to watch.

A short part of French Director Louis
Malle’s magnificent 6 hour plus
documentary on India from 1969 called
Phantom India (L’Inde Fantôme). Here we
have excerpts from one (or maybe several)
practice session by the star students at
a Bharatanatyam dance academy near Madras
in Southern India.

Filed under: Arts, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Chennai, DVD, Dance, Dance Gurus, Dhananjayan, Institutes, Introduction, Kalakshetra, Madras, Performing Arts, VCD, artists, choreograhers, choreography, do's and don'ts for dancers, experiences, learning, promotion, students, upcoming artist

DVD releases

Vyjayantimala Bali has launched two DVDs, Sri Andal’s ‘Sanga Tamizh Malai’ and Tirumangai Azhwar’s ‘Siriya Tirumadal,’ both being solo dance-dramas, choreographed and presented by her. The DVDs compiled from live recordings, were released by K.Parasaran, former Attorney General of India and received by Mrs. YGP at Bharat Kalachar. These products are being brought out and marketed by eParampara Infotainment under their Kalakriya series and will be available by Pongal at leading stores like AVM Sound Zone, Music World, Landmark Limited etc.

Vyjayantimala’s earlier Bharatanatyam DVDs, compiled from live recordings, namely Aradhana and Sampradaya, are already available in markets across the country.

Sudharani Raghupathy releases a VCD based on Abhinaya titled “Dancing”. This VCD begins with “Pallandu Pallandu pallayirathandu” the verse from Divya prabandham and ends with a Javali. The compositions featured include “Thathai Mozhiyal”,Kalyani raga, Evvade O bama in Sankarabharanam , Subrahmaniya Bharathiyar’s “Asai Mugam”. in Jonpuri,and a Javali “Geliyai Ponathadi” in Behag. As said earlier this VCD gives importance to abhinaya pieces and not nritta. Plesant watching for a relaxed evening says the reviewer, Charukesi in Kalki

The Music has been composed by Madurai.N. Krishnan.

Voclaist: Nandini Anand

Mridangam:K.S.R. Anirrudh

Violinist:Vijayaraghavan

Price of the VCD:Rs. 350(INR)

Available at Sri Media Solutions, 8, 2nd cross road, Mogappair West , Chennai-95

Source:The Hindu and Kalki Tamil Magazine

Filed under: Abhinaya, Aniruddha, Arts, Bharatanatyam, Chennai, DVD, Dance, Dance Gurus, Performing Arts, Shree Bharathalaya, Sudharani raghupathy, VCD, Vijayanthimala Bali, artists, choreograhers, choreography, learning, promotion, review, students