May 1, 2010 Edison, NJ  Odissi dancer Nilanjana Banerjee, will give lecture demonstration   At: Edison Public Library, 340 Plainfield Avenue, Edison, NJ 08817, 2pm  Info: nila@odissinilanjana.com / www.odissinilanjana.com

 

May 1, 2010 Moorhead, MN  SVA (Vital Force) embodies the rhythm and flow of life and the primordial sound that unites all of creation - the sacred and the profane, the animate and inanimate. Based in Nagano, Japan, Wadaiko Ensemble Tokara's sweeping movements, thundering force, and stunning physicality brilliantly compliment Ragamala's fluid precision, punctuated footwork, and sustained gestures. Sva highlights the creativity of two lauded young masters of their respective forms, Art Lee and Aparna Ramaswamy, and explores the kinships between Taiko and Bharatanatyam and the spiritual traditions from which they emerged, and their journey into the 21st century.  Minnesota State University-Moorhead, at Hansen Theatre, 7.30pm  e-mail: ragamaladance@yahoo.com / www.ragamala.net

 

May 2 - 25, 2010 California  Schedule for Ramya Harishankar, Arpana Dance Company  - May 2: Performance - Sunshine Kids International, Newport Beach, CA  - May 3: Performances - San Diego State University, San Diego, CA  - May 16: Arangetram - Ishaani Saha, Irvine, CA  - May 23: Nachle India 2 - Ahila Gulasekaram and the Arpana Dance Company, Ektaa Center, Irvine, CA  - May 25: Pancha Bhootam - Project Rishi UCLA, Freud Playhouse, Westwood, CA  Info: info@arpanadancecompany.org / www.arpanadancecompany.org

 

May 7, 2010  Memphis, TN  Ragamala Classical Indian Dance with Taiko Drum Ensemble Wadaiko  Ragamala Indian Music and Dance Theater bridges the gap between ancient and modern cultures, exploring a unique style of living poetry for the stage. Rooted in Bharatanatyam, Ragamala blends dance, music and poetry. SVA ("vital force") combines Ragamala's complex rhythmic structures and dynamic athleticism with the thundering percussion and stunning physicality of Wadaiko Ensemble, an internationally celebrated troupe of Japanese taiko drummers.   At: Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary's School, 8pm  e-mail: ragamaladance@yahoo.com / www.ragamala.net

 

May 8, 2010, Chennai    P Praveen Kumar will be performing in VASANT UTSAV, a dance festival which will be held at Kapaleeshwar Temple, Mylapore from 6.45pm onwards.   Info: praveendance@hotmail.com

 

May 8, 2010 Basel, Switzerland  Keshavas are invited to perform Bharatanatyam on the occasion of 30th jubilee celebration of the Yoga School, Zimmermann, Rheinfelden, Switzerland.  Info: keshava@kalasri.com / www.kalasri.com

 

May 10, 2010 Chicago, IL  Natya Dance Theatre, Hema Rajagopalan, Artistic Director, presents: REACH OUT AND CONNECT on Monday, May 10 at 10am (Free) Take a dance journey around the world as Natya Dance Theatre and Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater share the stage. This diverse and dynamic program brings together Bharatanatyam, the classical dance theater of India performed by Natya Dance Theatre, and Spanish dance performed by Ensemble Español. An explosion of movement, energy and color! Start with a movement. Add a feeling. Create a character. Tell a story.  Change the world. At: Claudia Cassidy Theater, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602 Info: bill@natya.com / www.natya.com

 

May 14 - 15, 2010 Waldshut, Germany  Faszination, Sport und Kulturtage  D Keshava is invited to conduct a Bollywood workshop in Waldshut, Germany.  Info: www.sport-kulturtage-wt.de / www.kalasri.com

 

May 19 - 26, 2010 Melattur, Tamilnadu  The 70THYEAR BHAGAVATA MELA NATAKA MAHOTSAV, a unique blend of bhakti, music, dance and drama, is scheduled to be held on and from the 19th May 2010. The centuries old Utsav is held annually with religious fervour in the sannidhi of Lord Sri Varadaraja, the presiding deity of Melattur, as part of celebration of Sri Nrusimha Jayanti. The ritualistic Bhagavata Mela tradition, a Telugu Heritage nurtured in Tamil country, richly deserves a vast support from the art-world. Came into being as a result of Bhakti movement about 450 years ago, it is not far different from the Kuchipudi Bhagavata Mela. The Bhagavata Mela Mahotsav-2010 features not only Bhagavata Mela Natakas, composed by Melattur Venkatarama Sastry (1743 - 1809 A.D), but also many fitting events akin to it.  Added Feature in 2010 Year Utsav - For the past 20 to 35 years, the dancers, supporting artists and the men behind federate in votary and veneration to the tradition with no per diem. Added to this, S Natarajan, as a dancer, director and patron, would be completing his 63 years of yeomen service for the cause of Bhagavata Mela. Furthermore, in May 2010, he would be completing 52 glorious years of donning the challenging heroine role of Chandramati in the Bhagavata Mela natakam 'Harischadra.'  Info: melattur.bhagavatamela@gmail.com

 

May 20 - 23, 2010 Minneapolis, MN    Ragamala Dance presents IHRAH (Water)  Ihrah features original works accompanied by a carnatic orchestra from India and a world premiere set to an original composition by Marc Anderson and commissioned by the American Composer’s Forum and Robert and Katherine Goodale.   Southern Theater  (Thurs., Fri. and Sun. at 7:30pm, Gala performance Sat. at 5:30pm)   e-mail: ragamaladance@yahoo.com / www.ragamala.net   Info: http://southerntheater.org/2010_05-20_ragamala_dance.htm

 

May 28, 2010 Kerala  Kalasagar is the institution founded by late Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, the legendary percussionist and an informed critic of Kathakali. During the anniversary celebrations on 28th May 2009, an Award was announced in Poduval’s memory, titled as BAHUMUKHAPRATIBHA (multi-faceted talent) - to honour a Kathakali artist,  who exhibits proficiency in all aspects of his art, including acting, playing musical instruments, music scores and literacy contributions (saahityam). It was also decided to recognize and honour artists in the field of performing arts viz. Kathakali - Actor, Music, Chenda, Maddalam & Chutti, Ottenthullal, Chakyarkoothu, Koodiyattam, Mohiniattam, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Thayambaka and Panchavadyam - Thimala, Maddalam, Edakka, Kombu & Thalam and make the anniversary celebrations an Award Night.  The awardees will be selected by a panel of experts from the nominations received from the art lovers.    The following are the minimum guidelines to be followed for nominations.  The age group of the artists will be between 40 - 60 years  The artist has to be well known performer/guru  Nomination of the artists for the Kathakali is invited among the Actors, Musicians including Percussionist (both Pattu, Chenda and Maddalam) and Chutti.  Nomination form  Please forward your nominations latest by 1st April 2010 to Rajan Poduval (Secretary)  Address: Kalasagar, Kavalappara, Shornur, Palakkad, Kerala 679523   Ph: (0466) - 2224153 / e-mail: kalasaagar@gmail.com   The function will take place at the koothambalam of Kerala Kalamandalam, Shornur.

 

May 30, 2010  Palo Alto, CA  Sugandha Sreenath, Jayendra Kalakendra present Annual Students program at Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303, 2pm - 6pm  Info: sugandaiyer@comcast.net / www.sugandasreenath.com

 

June 4 - 5, 2010 NYC  The Indo-American Arts Council presents ERASING BORDERS : IAAC Festival of Indian Dance 2010, Asia Society, NYC  Info: iaac@iaac.us

 

June 20, 2010  Concord, CA  Performance by Arangetram students of Sugandha Sreenath, Jayendra Kalakendra, at Shiva Murugan temple, 1819 2nd St, Concord. 12 noon to 1pm. All are welcome.  Info: sugandaiyer@comcast.net / www.sugandasreenath.com

 

July 11, 2010 Palo Alto, CA  Solo recital by Divya Vetturi, disciple of Sugandha Sreenath, Jayendra Kalakendra  At Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303, 4pm  Info: sugandaiyer@comcast.net / www.sugandasreenath.com

 

August 1, 2010 Palo Alto, CA  Choreographers event by senior students of Sugandha Sreenath, Jayendra Kalakendra   At Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, 3921 Fabian Way,Palo Alto, Ca. 94303 (4pm to 6pm)  Info: sugandaiyer@comcast.net / www.sugandasreenath.com