Asmita
Dr. L. Subramaniam’s latest music album Asmita (world music) was released by Music Gallery India Pvt. Ltd. on 1 October 2004 and the first copy was given to Dr. Raj Kumar, the veteran Kannada thespian. Produced by Viji Records, the home productions of Dr. L. Subramaniam. The music of the album was first composed for a dance performance of Sonal Mansight, the noted Bharatanatyam and Odissi danseuse, in New Delhi last year. The album is available at all leading music stores.
Dance & Devotion
Dance & Devotion. Written and compiled by Malathi Iyengar. Illustrated by Suresh Iyengar. Pages: 185. Publisher: Rangoli Foundation
Dance & Devotion is a resource that will increase the awareness of the contributions of many people to our understanding of Indian dance and culture. The purpose of this handbook is to inspire and educate people on Indian Dance, and to introduce students to basic information regarding the study of Bharatanatyam dance, customs, culture, and traditional prayers. The handbook also includes iconographic illustrations by Suresh Iyengar, a glossary of definitions of commonly used Bharatanatyam terms and Sanskrit prayers, frequently used in Bharatanatyam dance, written in English.
To buy, contact:
In the USA: Rangoli Foundation: (818) – 788 – 6860 malathi@rangoli.org Cost: $20
In India: K. Murali Mohan (080) 28603538 / mkalvakalva@yahoo.com or Drishti office, drishti_mag@hotmail.com (080) 23377466. Cost in India: Rs 275
About the author
Malathi Iyengar, originally from Bangalore, India, is a Los Angeles-based choreographer, dancer, writer and visual artist. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Choreographhy and Performance from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her dance training includes the vintage Pandanallur/Tanjore style of Bharatanatyam under Guru Narmada of Bangalore and choreography and improvisation under the mentorship of Marion Scott. For more information, visit http://www.rangoli.org
Dances of India – Training DVDs & CDs
For DVDs, Videos, Books, Classes, Music, Presentations & Performances on India’s Culture & Art and for Bharatanatyam Arangetram Songs, traditional Bharatanatyam Dance Music, Learning Bharatanatyam Visit: http://www.culturalcentreofindia.com
Game Show on Bharatanatyam
Jaya TV has launched a new edition of Thoka Dhimi Tha, a game show on Bharatanatyam, aired every Sunday at 8 am. The new series has begun (on September 19,2004)
The highlight of the new edition will be the segment where renowned dance guru Chitra Visweswaran teaches dance movments in Bharatanatyam to viewers (every week).
With three new rounds, the game show will test the dancing skills, creativity and on-the-spot improvisation of abhinaya (expression) of the participants. And this time, NRI dance gurus and dancers of the younger generation will be the judges and will select the winners.
Earlier this show was anchored by actress-dancers Bhanupriya, Shobana and Sukanya. The new edition of Thaka Dhimi Tha will be presented by a young dancer Nivedita.
This show has been on the air for more than three years. More than 600 young dancers from Chennai, other parts of India, the USA, the UK, Middle East and various other countries have participated so far. The concept and direction for this game show is by dance Radhika Shurajit. Script and co-ordination is by Churchil Pandian.
To participate in this show, contact: Radhika Shurajit, Ph: 044-24911544.
E-mail: program@jayatv.org
Music Conference in Ramanathapura, Karnataka
Karnataka Ganakala Parishat hosted a music conference from October 6 to 10, 2004 at Ramanathapura, a village on the banks of river Cauvery in Hassan district of Karnataka.
During the conference the well-known musicologist of Bangalore, Dr. Shashi Devi was conferred with the title Ganakala Bhusana and the well-known violinist Vidwan H.K. Venkatram was conferred with Ganakala Sri.
This is the first time that the Parishat hosted the conference in a village like Ramanathapura. All these years the conference was being held at the district head quarters.
Carnatica Gurukulam, Bangalore
Carnatica Global Gurukulam launches its Bangalore chapter and offers classes in Carnatic vocal, instrumental music (veena, violin, mridangam), Hindustani vocal and Western guitar. For details contact: 414 ‘Ramya’ 1st floor, RT Nagar Main Road, Bangalore Ph: 9243104309 E-mail: carnaticablore@yahoo.co.in
Heritage India Foundation Trust College of Fine Arts
Bhaskara College of Fine Arts is affiliated to Kannur University, Kerala, and is promoted by Heritage India Foundation Charitable Trust with the aim of promoting Indian traditional classical dance forms, Indian drums, mridangam, table, chanda, edakka and mizhav, in India and abroad.
Courses Conducted
- B.A – Bharatanatyam
- B.A – Carnatic music
- B.A – Odissi
- B.A – Yoga & Indian Philosophy
- Diploma (3 years) – Kathakalivesham
Courses to be offered in 2005: B.A. in Kathak, Mohiniattam, Indian Painting & Sculpture
For details visit: http://www.heritageindiafoundation.com
Directory of Carnatic Musicians of Karnataka
Suswaralaya College of Music and Kalashrutha Kalpaka announce that the second edition of “Directory of Carnatic musicians of Karnataka”, will be released on November 3, 2004. The directory will carry contact details of artists, sabhas, schools and colleges of music, rasikas, musical instrument manufacturers, music shops, etc. Contact: H S Sudhindra, No. 12, 28th Cross, Geetha Colony, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore – 560011. Tel: 080-26633623 / 26545655 Email: suswaralaya@yahoo.com.
Music in the Park
The last time there was music at the bandstand was in 1972. Now there is renewed interest and music in the park is back with a big bang. There is going to be a complete revival of the bandstand located in the middle of Cubbon park and Bangaloreans can look forward to some entertaining musical Saturdays.
“Today everyone is looking for ways to de-stress while they seek recreation. Performances at the bandstand by some of the best musicians in the country, will give people just that and for free,” says Mr. Prasad, organizer of this event.
Titled Prakruthi Vybhava, the musical event promises to showcase the performing arts at their best.
Hampi Utsav
The annual Hampi Utsav this year will be organized in November on a grand scale on par with the Mysore Dasara festivities with a sound and light show, seminars, rural sports, exhibitions, and dance performances according to the Revenue Minister and Chairman of Hampi Utsav Committee, M. P. Prakash
Shantala Arts Academy
Shantala Arts Academy, a dance institution celebrated its 19th Anniversary on 8th September 2004, at Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore.
The dance-drama DasaruKanda Balakrishna based on a Haridasa composition and Beralge Koral based on the works of Kuvempu was presented by students of this institution and directed by Pulikeshi Kasturi and Prasanna Kasturi.
Drishti congratulates Shantala Arts Academy on celebrating its 19th anniversary.
Dance Like a Man
‘Dance like a Man’ a film by Pamela Rooks is all about passion and the life of an artist. Released on this Oct 1, 2004 across India, the film in English is based on a play by Bangalore-based Mahesh Dattani.
A production of NFDC and Rooks A.V. and is presented by Shrinagar Films. Starring Chennai-based actress-dancer Shobana, theatre artiste Arif Zakaria, Anoushka Shankar (daughter of sitar maestro Ravi Shankar), Sameer Soni and Mohan Agashe in the lead, the film also features veteran dance guru U. S. Krishna Rao (of Bangalore) and Indira Rajan (of Chennai) in the roles of traditional dance practitioners.
While the musical score is by well-known violin duo Ganehs-Kumaresh, choreography for the dance sequences is by Shobana and Delhi-based dancer Rama Vaidhyanathan.
A moving story on the challenges faced by a dance-couple in the 1970s, the film also provides an insight into contemporary Indian social scene.
Poornima Ashok
Bangalore-based Bharatanatyam dancer Poornima Ashok is currently touring Australia. Poornima trained under gurus Radha Sridhar, Dhananjayans and Kalanidhi Narayanan, now runs a dance school Nrityanjali in Bangalore.
Awards
Noted violinist Vidwan Lalgudi G Jayarman was conferred the first Veena Seshanna Memorial award by Governor T N Chaturvedi at an august function.
Writer and musician Prof V Ramaratham, was awarded the Swaramurthy V N Rao Memorial award.
State gets 3 Academic Awards
Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for:
Kadri Gopalnath (Carnatic Instrumental)
C. R. Simha (Acting)
Srinivas G. Kappanna (Lighting & Design)