NARTHAKI MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
August 2019
 ANITA SAYS.....
August 1, 2019
LOVE is a fire
That dies out
If it does not kindle others
YOU have burned with joy
So kindle them who come near you
If you can
Or become a stone
- Italian artist Giovanni Papini
In the midst of rehearsals, performances and more gushing in the guise
of reviews on Facebook, I turn my lens to fewer topics but those that
have caught my attention this past month.
Read on...
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ROVING EYE: A section of impressions, images and inspirations
Curated by Anita Ratnam
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SPOTLIGHT
- The General Council of the
Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama,
New Delhi at its meeting held on 26 June 2019 at Guwahati, Assam
unanimously elected eminent personalities in the field of
performing arts. The honour of Akademi Fellow carries a purse money of
Rupees three lakh and Akademi Award carries Rupees one lakh besides a
Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
-AKADEMI RATNA / AKADEMI FELLOW
Zakir Hussain, Sonal Mansingh, Jatin Goswami and K.Kalyanasundaram Pillai.
-AKADEMI PURASKAR
The General Council selected 44 artists from the field of Music, Dance,
Theatre, Traditional / Folk/Tribal Music/Dance/Theatre, Puppetry and
Overall contribution/scholarship in the Performing Arts for the year
2018, including three joint awards.
Dance: Radha Sridhar for Bharatanatyam, Ishira & Maulik Shah (Joint
Award) for Kathak, Akham Lakshmi Devi for Manipuri, Pasumarthy Ramalinga
Sastry for Kuchipudi, Surupa Sen for Odissi, Tankeswar Hazarika
Borbayan for Sattriya, Gopika Varma for Mohiniattam, Tapan Kumar
Pattanayak for Chhau, Deepak Mazumdar for Contemporary Dance.
Theatre: Bhagawat A.S.Nanjappa -Yakshagana, A.M.Parameswaran Kuttan Chakkiyar -Kutiyattam.
Folk, puppetry: Anupama Hoskere, Puppetry (String), Karnataka, Hem Chandra Goswami, Mask Making, Assam.
Overall Contribution/Scholarship in the Performing Arts: Diwan Singh Bajeli and Puru Dadhich
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- The General Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi has chosen the USTAD BISMILLAH KHAN YUVA PURASKAR awardees for 2018:
Renjith Babu and Vijna Vasudevan (BN), Durgesh Gangani (Kathak),
Kalamandalam Vaisakh (Kathakali), Manju Elangbam (Manipuri), Madhulita
Mohapatra (Odissi), Anjali Borrbora Borthakur (Sattriya), Rakesh Sai
Babu (Chhau), Vikram Mohan (Contemporary dance).
- The awardees of Music Academy this year:
NRITYA KALANIDHI - Priyadarsini Govind, TTK AWARD - Rajkumar Bharathi
SANGITA KALANIDHI - Dr S Sowmya, Sangita Kala Acharya - Seetha Narayanan
and MS Sheela, TTK Award - Vyasarpadi Kothandaraman, Musicologist Award
- Dr. Arati Rao N.
Sangita Kalanidhi and other music awards will be conferred at the Sadas
of the Music festival on 1st January 2020. The Nritya Kalanidhi Award
will be presented at the inauguration of the Dance Festival on 3rd
January 2020.
- During its Annual Festival of Dance and Music held on 8 to 10 July
2019 at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati, Sangeet Sattra
bestowed the RASHESWAR SAIKIA BARBAYAN SATTRIYA AWARD on Bharatanatyam
exponent Chitra Visweswaran, Chennai, Sattriya exponent Manik Chandra
Barbayan, Assam, and Kathak exponent Bipul Chandra Das, Assam.
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OBITS
- Senior Kuchipudi dancer/Guru Sumathi Kaushal passed away on July 15, 2019.
More info
In praise of Kuchipudi exponent Sumathy Kaushal
- Dr. Sunil Kothari
Sumathy received several awards and honours when she was based in
Hyderabad. Among them she cherished the 'Satyabhama Jada award' given to
her by Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma…
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- Bharatanatyam Guru Hemamalini Arni (1934-2019) passed away peacefully
in Hyderabad on July 20, 2019 aged 85. Hemamalini was a disciple of Guru
Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai; she learnt her abhinaya and padams from
Mylapore Gowriamma and T. Balasaraswathi. Along with her dance she
trained in Carnatic music from Mayavaram Krishna Iyer and Maharajapuram
Viswantha Iyer. She has conducted around 50 arangetrams in the last 25
years and trained innumerable dancers.
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WORKSHOPS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Attakkalari presents
August with Masters
Master classes in many disciplines
Aug 12 - Sept 8, 2019 Bangalore
- Applications invited for
NIKC's 12 month diploma
In Choreography
Deadline: Aug 20, 2019 Bangalore
- Rhythmosaic, Kolkata, offers
Certificate course in Contemporary dance
Movement Psychotherapy course
From Sept 2019
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QUOTE
Dancemakers: Talk about money with the same knowledge and passion with
which we talk about our mentors, our dances and the art form's history.
Research the roots of our current capitalist value system and know it
intimately. WE are the creative thinkers. Think and strategize your way
into prosperity. Consider it a mind-set, which is what successful
for-profit companies have mastered. Be rigorous about making art that
teems with value. Connect with patrons, foundations, government entities
and corporate sponsors. Sit down with people who have resources and
believe you have something to offer them. Tell them what you need in
order to make your art and how their investment WILL elevate our
country's cultural fabric.
- David Dorfman in 'Is Dance underfunded because it's undervalued?' Dance Magazine, July 23, 2019
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UPDATE IN THE SITE |
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FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY FREE with Dr.
Sunil Kothari
- An unusual Kathak performance by Ishwari Deshpande
What was special about this particular program titled Shanyayan, in
praise of Lord Shani, the planet Saturn, was the excellent team work of
young artistes.
Natanagar Dance Festival paid homage to Guru Shambhu Maharaj
Krishan Mohan, the son of legendary Shambhu Maharaj, had arranged the
event under aegis of Abhyas to promote excellence in dance, promotion of
talent among young, on the occasion of Guru Purnima paying tribute to
his father.
Prachi Hota in Odissi impresses
The fare she offered was varied as she has studied under various gurus.
The opening Mangalacharan was choreographed by Aruna Mohanty.
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DANCE MATTERS: Column by
Ashish Mohan Khokar
Famine in floods
With so many dancers that abound, especially in popular forms like
Bharatanatyam, one would think the dance field is flooded with talents
and finding a teacher would be easy? No way.
SOCH: Column by Dr. Arshiya Sethi
Dance is a part of who they are not
I would like to talk about some of the cruelty around dance. This is about animals that are made to dance for human sustenance.
PRISM
Krishna or Godot?
- Ileana Citaristi
During the evenings of the East-West Dance Encounter (22nd to 29th
January 1984) on the stage the gap was striking; the Eastern dancer all
dressed up, ornamented and protected, the Western one naked, exposed,
vulnerable.
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TAALAM: Column by Leela Venkataraman
Summer in Delhi
Before the curtain comes down on the performance scene during summer
with the temperature a scorching 45 degrees, many dance institutions
decide to have their annual day - for school final exams are over, and
there is a gap before many families begin to leave for vacations.
SPIC MACAY Convention with JNU collaboration centre stages multi- flavoured exercise as meditative not entertaining
A fruitful collaboration saw SPIC MACAY's seventh International
Convention simultaneously celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Jawaharlal
Nehru University. Even as the torrid summer heat sapped energies, JNU
hosted the week-long event on its spacious grounds.
Yoga / Nritya reaches out to the common public
The special evening organized on June 21, 2019 at IGNCA's Matighar
lawns, titled 'Yoga Nrityam' was the culmination of a two month workshop
led by experts to disseminate Indian classical art forms, highlighting
the Dance/Yoga shared spirit, among the common public.
THE EASTERN EYE: Column
by Dr.Utpal K Banerjee
Social mirror - real and surreal
Two recent adaptations from the Western dramatic genre attempted to seek
reflection of our own society, warts and all, in the playwrights' own
mirror.
The pleasant and the poignant
'Ghanashyam' presented on July 14 by Sayani Chakraborty, was woven
around the theme of the dark lord Krishna, as seen and remembered
through the darkened days of Varsha. Himanshu Srivastava shared the
evening with his 'Shikhandi - the Inner Quest'.
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| Meet the artistes
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SANCHARI.. More
on the arts |
Articles |
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EVENTS
Aug 1 - 15, USA
Dr. Saraswathi Rajathesh is on SUMMER USA TOUR with performances,
lec-dems, seminars, workshops, personal courses on Kuchipudi,
Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam, dance make-up and nattuvangam training.
Aug 2, Bangalore
Kalasindhu Academy of Arts presents a lec-dem by D Keshava on the Mysore style of Bharatanatyam.
At: Kalasindhu, 12, 1st East Main Rd, ITI Layout, Banashankari II Stage, 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Aug 2 - 30, NE India
Sapphire Creations in August: Karseong, Kalimpong, Darjeeling: COMMUNITY RESIDENCY
Sudarshan Chakravorty has been invited to work with 16 communities in
the North Bengal region namely Tibetan, Lepchas, Bhutias, Mewaris and
the likes to lead a Resident workshop in the community to re-present and
re-stage their existing content of folk dance and rituals which will
help to re-contextualize the performance for the proscenium stage and so
will enable to promote the performances in National / International
forums. This initiative has been taken by BanglaNatok.com
Aug 3, Mumbai
NCPA in collaboration with Sahachari Foundation Events presents
CHARISHNU- The desire to move, curated and directed by Leela Samson
featuring Aditi Mangaldas (Kathak), Leela Samson (BN), Sadanam
Balakrishnan (Kathakali & Mohiniattam), Aruna Mohanty (Odissi),
Priti Patel (Manipuri), Imocha Singh (Thang-ta), Mahesh Vinayakram
(percussion).
At: NCPA, Jamshed Bhaba Theatre, 6.30pm
Aug 3 & 4, Hyderabad
Saptaparni and Anubhav present NARRATIVES IN INDIAN DANCE featuring
Madhu Nataraj in Kathak performance and interaction on Aug 3,
Bharatanatyam dancer Rama Vaidyanathan on Aug 4. Conceived, curated and
presented by Dr. Anupama Kylash. The series focus on exploration of the
solo format in Indian dance traditions.
At: Saptaparni, Road #8, Banjara Hills, 6.30pm
Aug 5 - 14, Kolkata, Hyderabad
Sapphire Creations in August:
- 5th to 10th Aug, Kolkata: MOVEMENT WORKSHOP, Minerva Theatre
Sudarshan Chakravorty leads a production oriented workshop for members
of Minerva Repertory of Govt. of West Bengal to help them imbibe the
physicality of Contemporary dance. This workshop exposes them to
Floorwork, Partnering idea of Alignment and Geometry of the Body. The
outcome of the workshop will lead to a production of the Repertory
directed by Sudarshan Chakravorty.
- 12th Aug, Kolkata: Kolkata Centre of Creativity, 7pm
DANCING STROKES is a collaboration of dance, music, and painting where
each form converses with each other, of static pictures to dynamic
moving bodies. The performance moves from centerstage to alleys and
corridors and the steps of the amphitheatre blurring the boundaries of
the art, artists, and people at large.
- 14th Aug, Hyderabad: Ravindra Bharathi Auditorium, 6pm
ATITHI DEVO BHAVA is a celebration of the color and visuals of India.
Each part is presented in an amalgam of dance, music and visuals drawing
from tradition and modernity, from masked dance of Purulia Chau, to
Fusion Contemporary to the aerial act depicting the cultural diversity.
Aug 6 & 8, Bangalore
Natya Institute of Kathak & Choreography presents 'Introduction to
Indian culture through its dance heritage' for the Georgetown University
delegates.
Aug 9 & 10, Bangalore
The 14th batch of Attakkalari's Diploma in Movement Arts and Mixed Media
celebrate its graduation. The two days will feature fresh and intricate
group choreographies in Bharatanatyam and Kalarippayattu by masters of
those disciplines along with cutting edge contemporary pieces by
internationally acclaimed choreographers Stefano Fardelli from Italy,
Teresa Rotemberg from Switzerland and Ion Garnika from Spain. The
performances are by 60 graduating students of the 2018-19 batch of the
Diploma program.
Venue: Chowdiah Memorial Hall, 6pm
Aug 11 & 24, Bangalore
Schedule for Sharmila Mukerjee and Sanjali.
-Aug 11: Sanjali Dance Ensemble performs for NAMAN 2019 (curated by Madhulita Mohapatra)
Venue: ADA Rangamandira, 6pm
- Aug 24: Sharmila Mukerjee (solo), Sanjali Ensemble (group),
Sathyanarayana Raju and Soundraya Igoor (duet) perform for NAVAAYANAM, a
festival featuring choreographic diaspora
Venue: Seva Sadan, 6pm
Aug 12, New Delhi
Bala Devi Chandrashekar presents 'BRIHADEESWARA - FORM TO FORMLESS,
through the eyes of a Devaradiyal', at India International Center,
6.30pm.
Aug 13, Kolkata
From Rhythmosaic Dance Therapy Department, Dr. Mitul Sengupta speaks at
Seminar on Movement Psychotherapy and practice in current context.
Venue: Gokhale College, 10am onwards
Aug 18, Bangalore
Udupa Foundation presents NRITYAKATHA featuring Indira Kadambi (BN),
Vyjayanthi Kashi (Kuchipudi) and Chandrashekar Navada (Yakshagana)
At: JSS Auditorium, Jayanagar, 5pm
Aug 24, Bangalore
Natya Stem presents KAMPNI KUTCHERI featuring Bharatanatyam by Seshadri Iyengar and Sushmita Suresh.
At: Natya Stem Studios, #37, Bhoomika, 17th Cross, between 4th and 6th Main, Malleswaram, 6.30pm
Aug 24, Berne, Switzerland
Bharatanatyam by Anjali and Sumitra Keshava at the anniversary
celebration of Pro School Bangalore. 25 years ago the S. Ramakrishna
school was founded near Bangalore and today allows many children an
education.
At: Saalbau Gasel, 5.30pm.
Aug 25, Bangalore
Natyasaraswathi presents monthly concert by Odissi dancer Moupiya Dutta,
and Gaudiya Nrithya by Ruma Dey at studio theatre premises, 6pm
Aug 27, New Delhi
PUNYA TITHI- Spiritual merit through the lens of dance, gems of Odissi
in the tradition of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. His choreographies as
well as those of his disciple, Sharon Lowen, will be performed in
commemoration of Ethel Lowen. Presented by Manasa-Art Without Frontiers
in collaboration with the India International Centre
At: C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre, 6.30pm
Aug 30 - Sept 1, New Delhi
Natya Tarangini presents its annual 3 day fest, the 23rd edition of PARAMPARA SERIES festival of music and dance.
Aug 31, Kolkata
Rhythmosaic's ANNUAL SHOW 2019, Choreography - Facilitators of
Rhythmosaic from Kathak, Classical Ballet, Jazz Dance, Contemporary
department.
Rhythmosaic's production WHITE which was launched in 2011 and revisited
again will be presented by Rhythmosaic present repertory and students.
Choreography: Mitul Sengupta and Prasanna Saikia
Venue: Gyan Manch, 6pm onwards
ARANGETRAMS
Aug 3, River Forest, IL
Shreya Magesh, disciple of Hema Rajagopalan, Natya Dance Theatre
Venue: Dominican University, 7900 Division St, 4pm (BN)
Aug 4, Oswego, IL
Christine Philip, disciple of Hema Rajagopalan, Natya Dance Theatre
Venue: Oswego East High School, 1525 Harvey Rd, 5pm (BN)
Aug 11, Richmond, VA
Sreya Peddi, Anandita Sharma, Shreya Rajkumar, disciples of Uma Chetty, Apsaras Arts Dance Group
Venue: Hershey Center of the Arts, Collegiate School, 3pm (BN)
Aug 24, San Jose, CA
Sindhu Shivani Ravuri, disciples of Dr.s Raja - Radha Reddy & Kaushalya Reddy, Natya Tarangini
Venue: California Theatre, 345 S, First St (Kuchipudi)
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