Revati Narsimhan, the driving force behind Natya Niketan has carved a niche for herself in the art & craft of Abhinaya and Choreography. She trained under Guru Kousalya of Chennai, and performed her Rangapravesha at the age of nine. Since then, Revati Narsimhan has risen in the world of dance and was awarded the prestigious title of Karnataka Kalashree by the state Government in 1999. Under her able guidance, Natya Niketan imparts training in Vazhuvur Ramiah Pillai style of Bharathanatyam and contributes significantly to the maintenance of the purity of this art form.
To commemorate 25 years of continued service towards the perpetuation and development of Bharatanatyam, Natya Niketan organized a two day workshop-cum-lecture on the 10th and 11th November 2002 at Ravindra Kalakshetra and Gayana Samaja. Cultural programs followed this, in the evening.
The event provided a platform for the young and upcoming artists to interact with and gain knowledge as well as expertise from eminent personalities in the field of performing arts. Notable among the faculty were: Maya Rao, Choodamani Nandagopal, and V. A. K. Ranga Rao, to name a few. The workshops covered topics as diverse as choreography, composition of Jathis and stage management techniques for dance-dramas. There was an interesting session deliberating on the relations between Bharatanatyam & Yoga as well as dance & sculpture.
The unique feature about the workshop was the Abhinaya demonstration by senior Gurus like Lalita Srinivasan, Bhanumati, Vasantha Lakshmi, Revati Narsimhan, Usha Datar and Radha Sridhar. This provided a rare opportunity for Bangalore artists and art lovers to enjoy stage performances by such senior Gurus on the same stage.
Drishti congratulates Natya Niketan on completing 25 successful years.