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

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

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

Interesting read from The Hindu’s Dance/Music Season Coverage..

• Importance of the Orchestra that accompanies a dance recital..Murali Parthasarathy, Swamimalai K Suresh, Radha Badri and G. Vijayaraghavan tell us more about it at http://www.hindu.com/ms/2009/01/07/stories/2009010750010100.htm
• Double Impact: Two is company. Especially for some on whom the Margazhi spotlight has fallen over the years, be it in the field of music or dance. The Dhananjayans, the Reddys and Narasimhachari-Vasanthalakshmi have paved the way for many others to follow. The Margazhi Vizha has, over the years, thrown up some very talented pairs. Here are a few who have made a mark:  Read more at http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/01/02/stories/2009010250990400.htm
• A discussion on ‘Aesthetic Purpose of Bharatanatyam’ led by eminent music and dance scholar, Thanjavur B.M. Sundaram, with a panel of distinguished practitioners such as gurus Adyar Lakshman, Indira Rajan, Nandini Ramani and Jayanthi Subramaniam last Sunday, turned out to be a very lively and informative one. It was organised by Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha . http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/01/09/stories/2009010951200600.htm. Topics discusseed include:-
  • History of nomenclature of Bharathanatyam
  • Differentiating Theermanam and Jathi
  • Thanjavur Quartet-streamlined margam
  • Balamma’s style
  • Alarippu accompanied by Tirupugazh
  • Compering for a dance show (Interesting points here)
  •  Ancedotes on Pandanallur Jayalakshmi and Shanmuga Vadivu

Filed under: Bharatanatyam, Bharathakalanjali, Bharathanatyam, Chennai, Dance, Dance Gurus, December season., Dhananjayan, India, Kalakshetra, Madras, Madras Music Season, Madras dance Festival, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, Performing Arts, Shanta, artists, choreograhers, choreography, dance festival, do's and don'ts for dancers, experiences, talent, upcoming artist , Anuradha, Anusha, Narasimhachari, Narendrakumar, Parvathy, sridhar, Srikanth, Vasanthalakshmi

Upcoming Programs of Shijith Nambiar and Parvathy

Shijith Nambiar and Parvathy

“One of the top male Bharatanatyam dancers in the country today” proclaims the mighty  “The Hindu”

“Shijith  Nambiar – the small prince of bharathanatyam”, “Dance like a man” rave other reviews.

The profile in their website reads….

“Shijith Nambiar & Parvathy Menon, Partners in Dance as well as in Life, are one of the prominent Dance Duos in the discipline of Bharatanatyam.

Shijith Nambiar, an ex-faculty member of “Kalakshetra”, Chennai, the world renowned institution founded by Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, is a brilliant Bharatanatyam performer with an unerring grasp of rhythmic intricacies.

A versatile Dancer, an exceptional Nattuvanar and a unique choreographer, Shijith Nambiar has already made his presence felt in India and abroad in the discipline of Bharatanatyam.

He has travelled around the globe with the repertory company of “Kalakshetra” and worked in Guadeloupe, U.S.A, Canada, U.K. and France as a choreographer and performer. Apart from his skill as a choreographer, teacher and performer, Shijith Nambiar is also a trained percussionist.

Shijith’s production “Krishna” was premiered in Kuwait last year. “Krishna” has already completed many stage in and outside India within a short span of one year. He was conferred with the “Yuvakalabharathi Title” in 2007 by Bharat Kalachar for all rounder in Bharatanatyam, Nattuvangam and Choreography.
 
Parvathy Menon born and brought up in Kuwait has completed her post diploma in Bharatanatyam from Kalakshetra and she is an exemplary example of the Kalakshetra baani (tradition). The excellent stage presence and exceptional bhavabhinaya demonstrated by Parvathy makes her distinct and exemplary. Parvathy has travelled widely around the globe as one of the lead performers of the Kalakshetra repertory Company.

Her most demanding role has been that of Christine in Masquerade of Kalakshetra which was widely acclaimed by eminent exponents of the discipline.

Shijith and Parvathy, together they explore the intricacies of Bharatanatyam, together they worship the spirituality of Bharatanatyam, together they pursue the dialogue of cultures in Bharatanatyam and finally together they take you to experience “Bharatanatyam”. “

Here are a few of their upcoming recitals…

October 18th An evening of Bharathanatyam by Smt: Parvathy Shijith at Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall, Chennai, 7.30pm. 

November 5th KRISHNA ( our group production) for Dharani festival at the Fine arts hall Cochin.

 November  7th  KRISHNA  at Pallikoodam , Kottauyam, Kerala

November 23rd  KRISHNA for ABHAI at Naradagana Sabha, Chennai.

(Pl chk the local newspapers for timings if absent)

To Know more about this dancing couple visit their flash website at http://www.shijithnambiar.co.in/. You are in for some great music treat there…

For an indepth review of their performance and choreography featured in The Hindu, visit http://www.hinduonnet.com/fr/2008/07/11/stories/2008071150620300.htm

They are also performing during the season, those schedules will be listed in the Post titled Madras Music and Dance Season that is being compiled currently.

Filed under: Arts, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Chennai, Dance, Dance Gurus, December season., India, Introduction, Kalakshetra, Kerala, Kuwait, Madras, Madras Music Season, Madras dance Festival, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, Masquerade, Narada Gana sabha, Nattuvangam, Performing Arts, Shijith Nambiar, artists, choreograhers, choreography, program, review, students, talent, upcoming artist , Krishna

A sneak peek into “Shanmukha” rehearsals at KL

I was at the final rehearsal of Mr. Nadarajan’s Muniandy’s upcoming show “Shanmukha”- all about Muruga as he says..  The rain and traffic made the journey to the MTC auditorium last an unbearable 1 hour 15 mins from my home… It should have lasted just 15 mins.. But I guess that’s part of KL..

When I reached the hall, a big part of the crew was stuck in the traffic and The Guru was patiently waiting for the members of the orchestra and students to arrive.

So have you put in the “saleable elements”?- I ask him. He just smiles and says he doesn’t believe in those gimmicks. Mr. Nadarajan Muninady is a graduate of the Kalakshetra who wants to pass the unadulterated Kalakshetra style to his students..

After some more waiting the rehearsal began with a Pushpanjali (that tham tham thangita thaka tat ho danga thakutha.. commonly seen among Sri. V. P. Dhananjayan students). 6 of his 8-9 year olds started off with this pushpanjali . Nadarajan , a serious Guru instructed these kids to put away their slippers neatly. They were further instructed about their entry, placement and exit very very carefully…He didn’t want them to doing their “athouthu chalanam” on stage J

His 3 senior students(who had had their arangetrams) started the next piece Kakka kakka kanagavel kakka and If I recall right Mr. Nadarajan joined in the latter half.

The 3rd item I saw was a solo  by Mr. Nadarajan, enna solli padinalum unthanmanum urugavillai” in Neelamani composed by Ayanampatti Adishesha Iyer a totally abhinaya oriented piece..This is a song currently popularised By Smt. Aruna Sairam if I am not wrong. Despite being totally involved in the abhinaya, he turned to correct the singer who worded ”latchiyam” instead of “alatchiyum” in the Charanam.

Then it was the varanam, that started with the usual tha-ritha-ritha –ginajathi which his 3 senior students performed..

Unfortunately it was already too late and I had to leave…

The excellent mridangist, whose name  my aging memory fails to recollect, was the one who accompanied Ajith for Ujjwala too.. Bhavani Logeswaran, who sang for Ajith was also giving her best today…Pathma was the other accompanying vocalist. The Nattuvangum artist had come from India- Vidya Ravi, (not sure of the first name again) who looked very comfortable conducting the orchestra. Meena Kumaree who was the excellent narrator at Ajith Bhaskkar’s show also pitches in here in the same capacity.. She was in her practice costume was probably dancing too.

It was reassuring to see such passion for Bharathanatyam and adherence to tradition.  The kids had good araimandis and the savustavum of the students showed that Shubanjali , Nadarajan’s Dance Academy does take this seriously.. A few kids need to improve their natyarambham and complete their theermanam adavu in the faster speeds.

 But I am sure these kids who look genuinely interested and happy to be dancing, have found a dedicated Guru who can bring out the best in them if they continued to show the same interest and dedication as they did now. It was also a pleasure to see the motivating parents who had driven their wards all the way in the cursed traffic and rain after a day’s hard work for the nth rehearsal.

It’s a pity that I may not get to see this program actually, would have loved to watch the varnam in entirety and the thillana.

The show is to be held at MATIC Auditorium today (Oct.11th) at 8pm. Ticketed at 30 and 50 RM

For More Information contact: 012 633 1911

Filed under: Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Dance, Dance Gurus, Institutes, KL, Kalakshetra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, Performing Arts, choreograhers, choreography, learning, program, students, upcoming artist , Nadarajan Muniandy, Subranjali dance Theatre

Madras(Chennai) Music and Dance Season (2008-2009)-Dance Program Schedule

I will put in the dance programmes for the 2008-2009 Chennai Music Season that I get to know of (as and when I get to know) … Please visit to the links below for more complete information..  I request readers/dancers to send in info of programs already not listed here . You may send them to me as a comment in this post or email it to me if you know my ID:) The sources of info of the following schedules are based on personal emails received and from websites whose URL’s have been listed below:- (*)

22nd Nov. 2008 : 

Priya Ramadoss(Disciple of Smt. savitri Jagannatha Rao) Performs at Naradha Gana Sabha mini hall under the auspices of Natyarangam at 6:00pm

Navya Natarajan Menon Performs at Naradha Gana Sabha mini hall under the auspices of Natyarangam at 7:30pm

23rd Nov. 2008 :

Lakshmi Ramaswamy demonstrates Prof. Raghuraman’s lecture on “Aham and Puram” of Tamil literature for Natyarangam.(morning lec dem series). Pl check timings

1st Dec. 2008

 Group performance by students of Sri Mudralaya (Disciples of Smt. Lakshmi Ramaswamy), Mylapore Fine arts.. 7.30-9pm

11th Dec.2008

 Bharathanatyam Solo by Purnima Balasubramanian (Disciple of Smt. Lakshmi ramaswamy) at Meenakshi College, 11am

13th Dec.2008

Bharatanrityam Recital By Bala Devi Chandrashekar, Mylapore Fine Arts,Inaugural Day Concert: “Garland of Gems by Great Composers” ,Time: 7.00 pm

15th Dec. 2008

Dance Drama ” Jagam Nee Aham nee” by students of Sri Mudralaya (Smt. Lakshmi Ramaswamy),  at P.S. Senior School, 6pm 

16 Dec. 2008:

Rama Vaidyanathan  Nungambakkam Cultural Academy – Rama Rao Kala Mantap, 111, Habbillula Road, T.Nagar, Chennai-600017. Tel:+91-(0)-44-28343252. 07.00pm.

Shilpa Krishnan, Hamsadhwani sabha,  Adayar Youth Hostel in Indira Nagar, Adyar, Madras, evening concert (Contact  R. Sundar – Secretary – phone : 91 44 24915555/ 24901700)

18 Dec. 2008:

Rama Vaidyanathan Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Ramanujan Auditorium, Taramani, Chennai. 08.00pm

 

20 Dec. 2008:

 Rama Vaidyanathan Brahma Gana Sabha – Petachi Sivagami Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004. 06.30pm

21 st. Dec. 2008:

 Shruthi and Shalini Srivatsan will be performing at Adayar Hostel under the Hamsadhwani banner. The program is slated for 7:30pm

22 Dec. 2008:

Rama Vaidyanathan Kalakshetra – Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041. Tel: +91-(0)44-24524057. 06.00pm

23 Dec. 2008

Kalaimamani Ramya Ramnarayan , 2 PM , Narada Gana Saba

Bharatanrityam Recital by Bala Devi Chandrasekhar,Nungambakkam Cultural Academy, Time: 6.30 pm

Kum Sharanya Balaji,(Disciple of Guru Vishal Ramani, USA), Varasiddhi Vinayagar Temple, besant Nagar) for TVG Academy of Indian Music and Arts, from 5-6.30pm

24 Dec. 2008:

Rama Vaidyanathan Bharat Kalachar – No.7, Lake 1st Main Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034. Padma Seshadri School Auditorium. 06.45pm

Deepti Venkatraman (Disciple Of Ramya Ramnarayan), Kartik Fine Arts Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore, 4pm

25th Dec. 2008

Smt. Lakshmi Ramaswamy presents her dance drama based on the Sangam Literatute nattrinai, titled ” Sangamum Sangamamum” at Narada Gana Sabha Main Hall, 2- 3.30pm

26th Dec. 2008

Bharatanatyam solo by Kalaimamani Ramya Ramnarayan for Kartik Fine Arts at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 6 pm

29th Dec. 2008

Lecture by Dr S Raghuraman on  ‘dravidaththil Taai deiva vazhipaadu’ (worship of mother goddess in tamil culture). Demonstration by Lakshmi ramaswamy and her students for Katik Fine Arts at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Pooja Kumar, Karthik Fine Arts (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan) at 4:30 p.m.

31st Dec. 2008:

Lakshmi Ramaswamy’s Sri Mudralaya students perform at Guruvayoorappan temple, Mahalingapuram , 7pm

Sharanya Balaji (Disciple of Guru Vishal ramani), Youth Hostel, Indira Nagar for Hamsadhwani Sabha , 7pm

02 Jan. 2009:

Pooja Kumar ( Program awarded to the Winner of Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana ), Narada Gana Sabha Main Hall at 6:30 p.m.

 Deepti Venkatraman,(Disciple of Ramya Ramnarayan)  for Mudra Fine Arts at Old No.10/4(New No.21/4),Shenoy Road, Nugambakkam, Chennai 600 034, 5 pm

Bala devi Chandrasekhar, Bharatanrityam at Vani Mahal,“Shree Krishna Smriti” ,Time: 5.30 pm

03rd Jan. 2009:

Bharathanatyam solo by Archana Mahesh (Dis. of Lakshmi Ramaswamy) for GanaMukunda Priya at RK Swamy Hall at 4.30pm

 Deepti Venkatraman (disciple of Ramya Ramnarayan) Thiyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Vani Mahal, T.Nagar at 6.30pm

04 th Jan. 2009:

Sadhaa Shanmugham Smaraami”,  Bharathanatyam Solo by Savitha Vankatapathy for Gana Mukundapriya, at R.K. Swamy Hall  at 4.30pm 

06 Jan. 2009:

Solo by Mythili Prakash at The Music Academy , chennai at 11.30 am

07 Jan. 2009:

Solo by Shijith Nambiar at The Music Academy , chennai at 11am

Sri Krishna Jananam Produced by Bharatakalanajli under partial funding from ISKCON. Artistic direction & production co-ordination: Naatyaachaarya V.P.Dhananjayan  Choregraphy: Prof. A. Janardhanan (former Principle artiste and Principal of Kalakshetra, Chennai  Music composition: Mysore S. Rajaram (former Director, Kalakshetra, Chennai. Participants: Bharatakalanjali Artistes & Graduates from Kalakshetra (Pl chk for timings) at Music Academy

09 Jan. 2009:

Pooja Kumar, Bharath Kalachar at 6:00 p.m.

Rama Vaidyanathan Music Academy, TTK Auditorium, 168, TTK Road, Chennai. Tel:+91-(0)-44-2811 2231. 06.00pm

Navia Natarajan Menon, Kartik Fine Arts, Narada Gana Sabha (Mini Hall),Chennai, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

14th Jan. 2009:

Bharathanatyam solo by smt. Lakshmi ramaswamy at Mylapore Fine Arts, 7.30pm.

15th Jan. 2009:

Bharathanatyam solo by Smt. Lakshmi ramaswamy at Bramha Gana Sabha, 7.30pm.

18th Jan. 2009:

Bharathanatyam by Aishwarya Narayanaswamy for Brahma gana sabha Sivagami petachi auditorium, Mylapore, 6pm

 27th Jan. 2009:

Bharathanatyam by Aishwarya Narayanaswamy at Parthasarathy swami sabha, R.K.Swamy hall, Mylapore, 7.15pm

 

*Please confirm the schedules with Local newpapers or sabha guides

To see the list of awardees for the Music Season (‘08-’09) click here

Links for Updates

• Searchable database of concerts from kutcheribuzz
• Season Coverage by Kutcheribuzz
• Mr. Ramkumar ’s blog
• Music Season Coverage By Art India
• Updates from from Carnatic Darbar(includes schedules from lot many sabhas)
• Kalakshetra Schedule from Carnatic darbar
• http://www.musicacademymadras.in/2008-work/2008_schedule.html (Their Dance programs are usually after the Music season in the first week of January or so)
• Here are a few available websites of a few other popular sabhas..
  http://www.krishnaganasabha.org/home.html: The Pongal Dance festival and Nadaswara Isai Vizha, a part of December Art Festival will be held from January 2 to January 19, in which young as well as experienced dancers will be featured.
  http://www.bharatkalachar.com/
  http://parthasarathysabha.com/
  http://www.kutcheribuzz.com/ebrochures/srithyagabrahmaganasabha/
  http://www.kutcheribuzz.com/ebrochures/kartikfinearts/
  http://www.rrsabhamylapore.in/ (Rasika Ranjini sabha)

A few of these may not be updated regularly

Filed under: Arts, Bharat Kalachar, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Chennai, Conference, Dance, Dance Gurus, December season., Dhananjayan, India, Kalakshetra, Kartik Fine Arts, Krishna Gana Sabha, Literature, Madras, Madras Music Academy, Madras Music Season, Madras dance Festival, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, NRI, Narada Gana sabha, Natyarangam, Performing Arts, Rasika, Shanta, Sheejith Krishna, Shijith Nambiar, artists, choreograhers, choreography, dance drama, dance festival, experiences, learning, program, students, upcoming artist , Add new tag, Aishwarya Narayanaswamy, Bala Devi Chandrashekar, Hamsadhwani, Navia Natarajan, Pooja Kumar, Ramya ramnarayan, Shilpa Krishnan, USA, Vishal Ramani

Subraanjali Dance Theatre presents “Shanmukha in KL”

 Date: 11th Oct,2008

Venue:MATIC Auditorium, KL

Time: 8.00pm

For More Information contact: 012 633 1911

About the Artistic Director:  Sri.Nadarajan Muniandy graduated from Kalakshetra Graduate in 1993. He began his learning of the Kalkshetra Style under Guru Krishna Kumari in KL. He has also been under the tutelage of Guru(Smt.) Sharada Hoffman. Since his graduation , Sri. Nadarajan Muniandy has been active in KL as a performer, teacher and choreographer. He established the Subraanjali Dance School in 1997 where he trains his students . The school provides rigorous training to interested students and adheres to the Kalakshetra tradition.

Source: Mrs. Santhakumari,KL

Filed under: Arts, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, Dance, Dance Gurus, Introduction, KL, Kalakshetra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, Performing Arts, Rasika, South Asian Dance, artists, choreograhers, choreography, dance drama, learning, program, promotion, students, talent, upcoming artist , Nadarajan Muniandy

Bhakti Margam by Dhananjayans (USA/UK Program/workshops)

The Dhananjayans will present BHAKTI MAARGAM (The path of devotion) in the best traditions of Bharatanaatyam. The presentation will consist of a traditional Maargam repertoire featuring the best of their fifty years of artistic excellence in choreography.   The Dhananjayans are on their  “farewell” tour of North America with one of their senior and prominent disciples, Padmarani Rasiah Cantu (Artistic Director FAS Yogaville and selected Artiste in the Virginia Commission for the Arts Tour Directory).   

This tour coincides with and commemorates the 40th year of founding BHARATAKALANJALI and 70th birthday of Naatyaachaarya Dhananjayan. For more information about locations, schedule, tickets, workshops & master classes, please contact the organizations listed below. For all other details, please contact Mr. Dhananjayan at +91-44-24911125 or bkalanjali@gmail.com 

THE 2008 FALL US TOUR 
(courtesy: Dakshina Daniel Singh Company DC) 

Performance Information: 
** September 28th Los Angeles, CA 
Presented by Keertana school of Indian Music & Fine Arts 
At William Bristol Civic Auditorium  
16600,Civic Center Drive, Bellflower, CA-90706. At 4pm 
Contact: Babu Parameswaran – (949) 559 4504, (949) 394 6415, keerthana108@hotmail.com 
www.geocities.com/keerthana108  
 
** October 4th River Grove, IL 
Presented by Natya
At Triton College of Performing Arts Center 
Contact: Hema Rajagopal – (630) 323 7835, hema@natya.com 

** October 5th  Detroit, MI 
Presented by Tamil Sangam of Michigan 
At Avondale High School 
Contact: Kanthi Sundar – 248 310 1404, subham66@yahoo.com / Roopa Shyamsundar – nrityollasa@hotmail.com 

** October 9th Houston, TX 
Presented by Samskrit Society for IndianPerforming Arts 
At 8030 Oakington, Houston TX 77051 
Contact: Vatsa Kumar -  979 240 9496, vatsakumar@att.net / Ratna Anilkumar – 713 774 6100, anjali@wt.net  

** October 10th Houston, TX 
Presented by Bharati Society & Anjali School of Performing Arts
At Cullen Performance Hall, University of Houston ; (713) 743 6191.  At 8pm 
Contact: Ratna Anilkumar (713) 774 6100, (713) 772 2787 ; anjali@wt.net  
Prabha: prabhabala@yahoo.com  
 
** October 11th  Austin, TX 
Helms Fine Arts Center 
Contact: Janaki Nagarajan – (512) 918 1351 

** October 12th  Dallas, TX 
Presented by Indian Fine Arts Academy, Dallas TX  IFAA  
At Rosebud Theater at UTA, 300 W 1st street Arlington 
TX 76010 ; 817 272 2011. At 4pm 
Contact: Venkat Devarajan, President – 817 572 2824, venkat@ifaadfw.org 
Gowri Ram (Hari) – (214) 495 8647, gowriram@gmail.com 
Srikant P.N – Pn.srikant@tx.rr.com 

** October 13 – 15th  Dallas, TX 
Workshop 
Contact: Gowri Ram (Hari) – (214) 495 8647, gowriram@gmail.com 

** October 16 – 17th San Jose 
Workshop 
Contact: Sugandha & Katherine Kunhiraman 

** October 18th San Jose, CA 
Presented by Kalalaya Academy for Music & Dance 
At CET AUDITORIUM 701 Vine St, San Jose 
Contact: Kala Iyer,  Free Mont – (510) 796 5252  Cl:510 305 9285, kalaiyer@yahoo.com 
www.kalalayausa.org 
  
** October 19th San Diego, CA 
Presented by India Fine Arts Academy 
At Sherwood Auditorium, Museum of Contemporary Arts, 700 Prospect St, La Jolla CA. At 6.00pm 
Contact: Divya Devaguptapu – (858) 229 5696, divyabhinaya@yahoo.com 
Shekar Vuiswanathan – 858 638 0744, shekar.viswanathan@gmail.com 
www.indianfinearts.org  

** October 24th Orangeburg, SC 
Presented by Mridani school of Performing Arts 
At Sottile Theater, 44 George Syt,Charleston SC 29401, 843 953 5623 . At 7.30pm 
Contact: Dr.Anuradha Murali – 1944 way dr, Orangeburg,SC 29118, (803) 347 3851, anuradhamurali@hotmail.com  

** October 25th Washington D.C 
Presented by Dakshina Daniel Singh Company, 1816 New Hampshire Ave, NW Suite 109    
At: The Lincoln Theater, 1215 U Street, NW Washington DC 20009. At 6.00pm. 
Ticket: http://dakshina.tix.com  
Contact: Minakshi Krishnan – 614 353 7677, mikrishnan@deloitte.com  
Daniel Singh – (202) 247 1292, dpsingh@dakshina.org   

October 27, 28, and 29, 2008  
Bharatanaatyam workshop by V P Dhananjayan & Shanta Dhananjayan  
This is a golden opportunity to interact and learn directly from the all time greats of a living tradition of Indian classical performing art.  
Only for a limited number of participants, register immediately to avoid disappointments.  
Workshop Sessions  
- Abhinaya (for all Indian classical dancers)- $150  
(Participants will explore emotion in dance)  
- Bharatanaatyam (only for Bharatanaatyam dancers) – $ 250  
(Participants will learn a padam and a tillana)  
- Both Abhinaya and Bharatanaatyam – $ 350  
Advanced  Carnatic music lessons in Vocal, Violin and Mridangam also available- separate fee for individual & group classes.  Please contact us  
for additional information.  
Dates: October 27, 28, and 29  
Timings: Bharatanaatyam 10am-2pm; Abhinaya 6-8pm  
To register or for any additional information please contact   
Minakshi Krishnan at minakshi@dakshina.org or 614.353.7677.    
Visit www.dakshina.org for more details  

** November 1st Boston, MA  
Presented by Manithaneyam Trust
At Littleton High School Auditorium, 56 king st Littleton MA 01460.  At  5.30pm
Contact: Kailas Aravinthan – 97 Charter Rd, Acton, MA 01720, 
(978) 264 0478, ustrust@manithaneyam.org
www.manithaneyam.org 
 
** November 2nd Scotch Plains, NJ  
Presented by CMANA
At Terrill Middle School, Scotch Plain
Contact: Dr. Aruna Jaisankar – 732) 321 0953, (484) 894 7702, jjaruna@hotmail.com
www.cmana.org

** November 9th London, UK
Presented by Milapfest  Dr. Nayak
At Lewisham Theatre, Lewisham London SE 
Contact: Shobana B – Res. 01895 677360 Ml: 07806 360284
Pushkala Gopal – (44) 208 554 4054, (44) 793 056 6156, Pushkala.gopal@gmail.com 
 
    
MASTER CLASSES  & LECTURE / DEMONSTRATIONS: 

SAN DIEGO: September  29th – October 3rd 
Contact: Divya Devagupatappu / Shoba Sharma

MICHIGAN: October 6th & 7th 
Contact: Roopa Shyamsundar

HOUSTON: October 8th & 9th 
Contact: Ratna Anilkumar

DALLAS TX: October 13th – 15th 
Contact: Gowri Hari / P.N.Srikant

FREMONT/SAN JOSE: Octpober 16 & 17th 
Contact: Sugandha Iyer / Katherine Kunhiraman

SOUTH CAROLINA/ORANGEBURG: October 21, 22, 23rd 
Contact: Dr. Anuradha Murali

WASHINGTON DC DAKSHINA: October  26th – 30th 
Contact:  Daniel Singh

LONDON: November 5th to 8th 
Contact: Pushkala Gopal, Shobana Balachander 

Source: http://www.bharatakalaanjali.org/eventsbm.html

Thanks to Pooja Kumar for sharing this Info with us.

Filed under: Arts, Bharatanatyam, Bharathakalanjali, Bharathanatyam, Dance, Dance Gurus, Dhananjayan, Kalakshetra, London, Madras, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, NRI, Performing Arts, Rasika, Shanta, South Asian Dance, UK, USA, Workshops, artists, choreograhers, choreography, learning, program, promotion

Ajith Bhaskaran Dass’s Suvarana’s Dance Company sparkling production Ujjwala

Ajith Bhaskaran Dass and his group of dancers from the Suvarna Dance Company presented the “Ujjwala- Awakening of the Inner Flame” at Dewan Tuanku Abdul Rahman Auditorium in Malaysia Tourist Centre, KL on Aug 30^th . Ajith has an impressive lineage of Gurus including Smt Bhanaumathi Krishnan, Smt. Shanta Ponnudurai, Ramli Ibrahim, Smt. Shantha Bhaskar, Adyar.K. Lakshmanan, Guru Gajendar Kumar panda,  Sri. Dhananjayan and  Smt. Shantha Dhanajayan. He is the artistic Director of Suvarana Fine Arts ansd has performed extensively all over SE asia, Indai, USA, Canada and Europe. he has worked with several internationally renowned dancers .. Dhananjayans(Sangamitra), Lakshmi Viswanathan( Caturanga and Banyan Tree), Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar (Pancha Mahabootha) and Padma Subrahmanyam(Ritu Mahatmayam). he has an impressive repertoire of professional productions and artistic collaborations both in Malaysia and abroad. He regulary conducts workshops and lecture demonstrations.

The program was scheduled to begin at 7.30pm but started at 8.00pm. It was a ticketed program and there were people who had brought in the tickets and waiting at the lobby. Quite an encouraging sign for artists in KL isn’t it?

Their brochure describes Ujjwala as “a dance feature which explores the element FIRE in its various representations. This dance work attempts to translate into movement and mood, not only the physical nature of fire but also explores the intrinsic nature of this element through human emotions and psychological states.”

The Program itself was divided into 5 sections

Part 1: Aditya Agni- Eternal Flame

Using verses from the Aditya Hridayam and Agni Suktham this piece was conceived as a salutation to the Surya Bhagawan. The strength of group choreography was utilised here to show the eternal flame…

Part 2: Joothisvaroopini- Cosmic Effulgence

This segment presented a new varnam written by Shri.V. Balakrishnun (Bharathaanjali, Singapore). I was told that this was the first time the varnam was being performed. The piece has been musically composed by Sri T.S. Lazar in Ragamalika( Some very rare ragas like Jothisvaroopini, priyadarshini, Bindumalini there). This varanam depicts the Goddess Shakthi as jwalamalini and Jwalamukhi, the inferno of cosmic energy. (Devi closing Shiva’s eyes, birth of Meenakshi and Muruga and the destruction of Bandasura were some of the episodes covered in this composition).

Though I don’t want to get into reviewing any of the performances I attend, it would be unfair if I didn’t mention that this piece was embellished some very well rehearsed and synchronised movement s (The showing of the Arumugam- almost as synchronized as the a few Chinese group dances that I always thought was almost a miracle). Jathis as in a few present choreographies, had some special “sollus” incorporated into it. I recall these- “Ujjwala” and “Natanam” built into the jathis.  The presentation was at a very brisk pace and the choreography had taken into consideration the demands on physical stamina of the dancers and Ajith definitely deserves a mention for all the homework he has done. Ajith had some quick costume changes here. (Did he manage 3 during the varnam?). Some wonderful Gudhitamettis there. During the tattimettis, I noticed the alternate use of samam and usi eduppus.

There was a 20 minute interval after this and I want to tell you there wasn’t an exodus. Rasikas here don’t seem to mind commuting late. This is my second performance here at KL.  I had watched people leave during Sheejith’s Rama Charitham at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai. Just sayingL The loss wasn’t Sheejith’s thoughJ

The Post Interval session presented 3 segments…

Part 3: Kamagni-Burning desire.

 It was as they described it, “a sensuous conversation of love” to Bharathiyar’s “Vennaiadi nee yenakku”. This piece was musically composed by Shri Deepu Nair, Chennai.

Part 4: “Krodha Jwala”- Fire of Fury saw Panchali Sapatham being used to portray the Draupadi vastrabhaharanam and her wrath and fury and her vow to destroy the Kauravas. The piece had the dayakattum playing and Ajith was the Shakuni and Draupadi. Sollukattus were used every time the dice was rolled. There was one Kantam sequence that I immensely enjoyed. This brought back memories of the Panchali Shapadam by Smt. Chitra Visweswaran (Well I am thinking of her all the time so it is bound to happen!:)

Part 5: The finale… “Ujjwala”, the final awakening of the inner light of spirituality used traditional sufi poetry musically composed by Rajesh Vaidya and T.S. lazar.

The Crew:

·         Nattuvangum: Smt. Usha Ramachandran (daughter of Guruvayoor Durai and artistic director of Laasya Fine Arts). Reminds me of Smt. Indira rajan , her Guru (and incidentally one of my Gurus) in her Nattuvangum style.

·         Vocal: Smt. Bhavani Logeswaran

·         Mridangam: Shri.T. Ramanan

·         Violin: Shri.T.S.Lazar

·         Flute: Shri.G. Nataraj

·         Percussionist: Shri Theban Arumugam

·         Guest artistes:

o   Khairul Shahrin from Maya dance Theatre, Singapore. Khairul is trained in quite a few contemporary and modern dance styles apart from Bharathanatyam and Balinese Dance Forms.

o   Meena Kumaree trained in Kalakshetra Style, was the narrator for the Ujjwala.  Did I tell you that the show had a narrator (who didn’t stand behind the scenes).  She introduced the pieces (in English) and with her excellent diction and theatrical skills providing a setting for the upcoming scene.

PS:

Overheard Ajith saying “  While I do focus on the aspect of story telling, I have to convince myself of the story being told”. Also I saw him walk up to the musicians and thank them personally. (when the audience left after the formal curtain call) . Good signs again! Yes yes I di see Mavin Khoo there… I have a few pictures will soon upload them for you..

Filed under: Arts, Bharatanatyam, Bharathanatyam, C.V. Chandrashekhar, Chennai, Dance, Dance Gurus, Institutes, KL, Kalakshetra, Kuala Lumpur, Madras, Malaysia, Male Bharathanatyam dancer, Padma Subrahmanyam, Performing Arts, Rasika, Sheejith Krishna, Singapore, South Asian Dance, Sri Krishna Gana sabha, Suvarna Dance Company, Workshops, artisits, artists, choreograhers, choreography, contemporary, experiences, program, review, students, talent , Ajith Bhaskaran Dass