Monisha Arts intends to build a “Nrityamandap” in Bangalore aiming to promote Indian classical dance and music and provide a platform for dedicated artists.
“Very soon Bangaloreans will have an opportunity to learn Mohiniattam, Kathakali, Kodiyattam, musical instruments like chande, mathalam, edakka, music styles such as sobana sangeetha and many more on one platform,” says danseuse Sridevi Unni, director of Monisha Arts
The Karnataka Government proposes to implement a scheme to introduce music, dance, drama and yoga to children studying in primary and secondary schools. This way, such extra curricular activities will now form part of the school hours curriculum B. K. Chandrasekhar, the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, has organized training for about 16,000 teachers to handle the yoga, music and dance courses in the 50,000 government schools in the state.
Scholarship – Candidates under the age of 25 years as on July 1st aspiring to continue for proficiency grade in Carnatic music (Vocal / Instrumental) can send in their application (handwritten updated biodata) on or before 25th August 2004 to:
The Managing Trustee: Sri. D. Subbaramaiah Fine Arts Trust,
75, 7th cross, ITI Layout, J P Nagar, 1st Phase, Bangalore – 560078
Ph.D in Dance
The Dance Discipline, Sarojini Naidu School of Performing Arts, Fine Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad, offers the following courses for the academic year 2004-2005:
- Post Graduation in Dance – Master of Performing Arts (M.P.A) in Bharatanatyam / Kuchipudi.
- Ph.D in Dance
- P.G. Diploma in Dance – Choreography (Evening at G.T building, city centre)
Eligibility criteria for M.P.A dance: Bachelor Degree in Dance / any graduate have a certificate/diploma in dance/ 10+ four years diploma + one year intensive training in dance / 10+2+ diploma in Dance is eligible to apply.
Eligibility criteria for P.G.Diploma in Choreography: Any graduate with an aptitude for dance which will be tested at the time of viva.
Applications can be obtained from the University of Hyderabad or downloaded from the university website: http://www.uohyd.ernet.in
For further information: Email: sivaraju_61@sify.com or msrsn@uohyd.ernet.in
Global Dance Directory
The International Dance Council (CID) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1973 within the UNESCO headquarters. It is a worldwide forum bringing together international, national and local organizations as well as individuals active in dance.
CID is involved in the preparation of a Global Dance Directory. Its objective is to include 100,000 addresses from 200 countries. Indian classical dancers are invited to send their addresses (performers, dance teachers, groups, schools, organisations).
Contact: Prof. Alkis Raftis, President, Headquarters, International Dance Council – CID – Counseil International de la Danse, UNESCO, Paris, France.
For more information visit http://www.cid-unesco.org or E-mail: president@cid-unesco.org
Opportunity for getting Degree in Bharatanatyam or Carnatic Music
Samskruthi Bhavan (A Registered Charitable Trust, Estd.: 1994) is venturing to open a BA degree college “KESHAVA COLLEGE OF DANCE & MUSIC” under the affiliation of Bangalore University from the academic year 2004-2005. This venture is to give an opportunity to aspiring students of music & dance to get a full-fledged degree in Carnatic music or Bharatanatyam.
Admissions open. For application forms, prospectus and details,
Contact: KESHAVA COLLEGE OF DANCE & MUSIC
556, 11th main, ISRO layout, J.P. Nagar post, Bangalore – 560078
Tel: Off: 26669565 Res: 23523773 Email: keshava_college@rediffmail.com
Timings: 10.00 AM to 12.00 noon and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Highest State Awards
The Department of Kannada and Culture, Karnataka conferred state awards to artists who have extensively worked in and contributed to the field of art. The artists received the award from His Excellency, the Governor of Karnataka, Mr. T. N. Chaturvedi on April 23rd 2004. The following were the awardees.
Natya Rani Shantala award : Sri C. Radhakrishna
Kanaka Purandara award : Ganakala Bhushan M. J. Srinivas Iyengar
Santha Shishunala award : Shyamala Jagirdhar
Dr Gubbi Veeranna award : B. R. Areshinagudi
Janapada Shri award : Chittani Ramachandra Hegde
Varna Shilpi Venkatappa award : S. G. Vasudev
Jakkanachari award : R. Kalachaar
Dhana Chintamani Athimabbe award : Dr. Shailaja Uduchana
Sitar Classes
Bangalore Kendra of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has started sitar classes beginning June 1st every Saturday between 11 am and 1 pm and Sunday between 4 pm and 6 pm.
For more details, interested can contact 22267303, 22267421
Ananya Puraskara Pradana
Ananya has instituted awards to recognise up coming musicians and honor senior artistes for their dedication and selfless service to music.
This year, the ‘Ananya Puraskara’ was presented to vidushi M. K. Saraswathi, a senior vocal and veena artist hailing from Mysore.
The ‘Yuva Puraskara’ for young artistes was presented to G. Ravikiran (vocal), Mysore V. Srikanth (violin), Tumkur B. Ravishankar (mridangam) and S.V. Balakrishna (morsing).
The ‘Shastra Kausthubba’ award, instituted this year by Ananya, was presented to noted musicologist Dr. T. Shachi Devi
The award was presented at a function on 9 May at Bangalore Gayana Samaja.
Madurai Temple to host arangetram free of charge
The temple authorities of Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai now invite dancers to have their ‘arangetram’ inside the temple. The space will be provided free of cost. With arangetrams becoming an expensive affair and auditorium charges being high this would be a great benefit to dancers. The ‘Tirukkalyana Mandapam’ inside the temple where the dance programmes are held regularly, is to be offered free of cost for arangetrams on the condition that the dancer’s partly bear the electricity cost.
This 400-year-old stage has special significance, for this is where the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar used to be conducted for many years.
Contact: Madurai Meenakshi temple, Ph: 0452-2744360,
Joint commissioner Ph: 0452 – 2744322, Res: 0452 – 2734819.
Belli Gejje Dance Festival
As part of Belli Gejje dance festival Natyantaranga dance institute headed by danseuse Shubha Dhananjay conducted State-Level Bharatanatyam competition, a unique dance competition viewed distinctively through the artists of the institute on June 13, 2004 at Nayana Rangamandira.
Where we rarely find artists taking part in competitions this competition saw overflowing response from all categories Sub Junior, Junior and Senior not only from Bangalore but from all over Karnataka.
The unique feature of this competition was that the Senior Category participants were judged in their choreography skills. This was divided into two sections: Nritta choreography and Abhinaya choreography wherein the participants had to compose movements for dance piece chosen by the judges.