In memory of a sishya
By Aruna. S / ChennaiReview featured in kutcheribuzz.com (News Round-Up, November 19, 2004)
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Spic Macay Programs in Rajasthan
Shanta had not been keeping well with her cold and bronchitis since the Arangetrams of Nitya Muthat and Kannan Rasiah on 14th and 15th August, in Richmond and Yogaville. Despite this disturbing illness of Shanta and the distressing thoughts of Krishnaveni’s departure, the committed trip to Rajasthan was undertaken. Divya Sivasundar (Dhananjayan’s niece) accompanied to dance with VPD and she was an instantaneous hit with the school and college children. The dancers went to Jaipur, Kota, Chitturgarh, Bhilwara, Ajmir, Nasirabad, Fetehpur, Bikaner, Suratgarh and Hanumanpur, Borogram and back to Delhi.MORE
Arangetrams of Nitya Muthat and Kannan Rasiah
on 14th and 15th August in Richmond and YogavilleKannan and Nitya were a raving success. The caliber of these NRI dancers, trained by Padma Rani Canto, a senior disciple of the Dhananjayans and resident teacher at FAS Yogaville must have been seen to be believed. Nitya with her Kerala background and theatrical training scored in her very communicative ‘abhinaya’ and dignified demur. With his wiry body and light leaps ‘dancing like a man’ – Kannan was an instantaneous click with young girls, as his namesake, the legendary Kannan. The two new items composed exclusively for him by Anna (Dhananjayan) were the choice of his grand mother Amma Rasiah ("Yadukulathilaka" a song sung by D.K. Pattammal in the movies of forties) and Shivaashtakam “Prabhum praana naatham” were refreshingly innovative in movements and moods.
Yogaville Gurukulam camp 2004
The sixteenth annual Gurukulam camp at Yogaville, Virginia US ended on 8th August and the following weekend (on 14th & 15th Aug) Nitya Moothathu and Kannan Rasiah, two of the students of Padmarani Cantu Rasiah (the resident teacher at Yogaville FAS) had their formal Arangetram with great aplomb.MORE
DID YOU ALL GET A COPY OF THE NEW BOOK “ DHANANJAYAN ON INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE” published by B.R. Rhythm Publications, New Delhi. If not, !! hurry, before it once again gets sold out.
Email: info@brrhythms.com
Dhananjayan’s next book (untitled yet) will soon hit the bookshops. It is being Edited by TULSI BADRINATH a senior alumnus of Bharatakalanjali and writer in her own rights. Watch OUT!!!
Email: info@brrhythms.com
Dhananjayan’s next book (untitled yet) will soon hit the bookshops. It is being Edited by TULSI BADRINATH a senior alumnus of Bharatakalanjali and writer in her own rights. Watch OUT!!!
Shanta and I visited Bhaaskara (College of Fine Arts, now managed by Heritage India) for a week and we are happy to tell all our well-wishers that the activities in the campus are progressing very well. Though the number of students is not in its full capacity, the quality of teaching is excellent and both Bharatanaatyam and Carnatic music students have fared very well in their respective subjects. Our senior disciple Smt.Vijayalaskhmi and her husband Hemanth are handling the Bharatanaatyam & theory classes excellently well and the students’ standard seems to be much higher than in any existing institutions in the country.
Carnatic music under Sri. Palakkad Ramanathan Bhagavatar has laid a solid foundation and now Vidwan Sri Srihari (M.A Music from Chittur College) has joined the faculty as a residential teacher who would be able to guide the students full time in the Gurukulam tradition.
Mridangam Vidwan Sri. Krishna Kamath, a versatile artist with deep knowledge in Carnatic Vocal music as well, guides both dance and music students.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan, (Principal, Periyaram Medical College) a versatile musician, gives part time Veena lessons.
Experts in the respective subjects give students general education in English, Samskritam, and religious studies. The newly appointed Principal Sri. Vishnu Namboodiri is a Professor of Economics.
During our short stay in the campus we took classes and gave necessary corrections to embellish the practical application to the students and the faculty members. We hope to continue this practice very often.
We are happy that, even in our absence things are moving quite satisfactorily, except that Bhaaskara needs more number of students and inflow of income to maintain the good standard.
Bhaaskara has started Odissi classes by Shashikant Nayak -a prime disciple of Smt. Kumkum Mohanthi (three girls and one boy are learning Odissi).
We found the campus reverberating with music and rhythm. The regular evening Bhajan adds a divine atmosphere to the campus life. Joining the human chorus are the parrots, lovebirds, pigeons. The small lake created to conserve rainwater is a sanctuary for many kinds of birds that visit to quench their thirst and have a dip in the evening. The sun set is a beautiful sight to enjoy.
Hope in due course the students number will pick up and the future generation of aspiring young artistes will find Bhaaskara college of Fine Arts the right place to learn the arts with a Gurukulam atmosphere and ambiance.
Carnatic music under Sri. Palakkad Ramanathan Bhagavatar has laid a solid foundation and now Vidwan Sri Srihari (M.A Music from Chittur College) has joined the faculty as a residential teacher who would be able to guide the students full time in the Gurukulam tradition.
Mridangam Vidwan Sri. Krishna Kamath, a versatile artist with deep knowledge in Carnatic Vocal music as well, guides both dance and music students.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan, (Principal, Periyaram Medical College) a versatile musician, gives part time Veena lessons.
Experts in the respective subjects give students general education in English, Samskritam, and religious studies. The newly appointed Principal Sri. Vishnu Namboodiri is a Professor of Economics.
During our short stay in the campus we took classes and gave necessary corrections to embellish the practical application to the students and the faculty members. We hope to continue this practice very often.
We are happy that, even in our absence things are moving quite satisfactorily, except that Bhaaskara needs more number of students and inflow of income to maintain the good standard.
Bhaaskara has started Odissi classes by Shashikant Nayak -a prime disciple of Smt. Kumkum Mohanthi (three girls and one boy are learning Odissi).
We found the campus reverberating with music and rhythm. The regular evening Bhajan adds a divine atmosphere to the campus life. Joining the human chorus are the parrots, lovebirds, pigeons. The small lake created to conserve rainwater is a sanctuary for many kinds of birds that visit to quench their thirst and have a dip in the evening. The sun set is a beautiful sight to enjoy.
Hope in due course the students number will pick up and the future generation of aspiring young artistes will find Bhaaskara college of Fine Arts the right place to learn the arts with a Gurukulam atmosphere and ambiance.
The Mudra Fest and Seminar was held for four days at Koothambalam, the traditional theatre hall in Kerala. There were performances by reputed artists of different dance disciplines and lecture demonstrations by senior teachers and dancers.
Nandini Ramani on the Qualitative lec-dem by V P Dhananjayan "A very neat, crisp presentation, rich in content and quality, was offered by the renowned V. P. Dhananjayan on Choreography of Modern Themes in Bharatanatyam. "Sareeram Aadyam Khalu Dharma Saadhanam," quoted the speaker, at the outset, to emphasise that the goal of the individual body is to achieve the good and the higher values of life. While speaking of the glory of Bharatanatyam as that which can extend its territories, to adapt, and to adopt, he explained the need for interpreting new themes in the same idiom. As part of the demonstration, Dhananjayan presented a padam on traditional lines, composed by Sujatha Vijayaragahavan ("Neelakantare Vaarum") wherein the dancer could include contemporary ideas i to suit the content.
For the well-known text of 'Jungle Book' of Rudyard Kipling, a video clipping of Dhananjayan-Santha's choreography on traditional approach, was taken up for illustration. Using different forms of Indian dance, with the focus on Bharatanatyam, employing martial arts, and ballet all set to excellent music by Pandit Vijayaragahva Rao and his ensemble of varied Indian instruments, it came as a fitting finale to the lively lec-dem of Dhanajayan."
- Nandini Ramani, The Hindu, October 8, 2004
Nandini Ramani on the Qualitative lec-dem by V P Dhananjayan "A very neat, crisp presentation, rich in content and quality, was offered by the renowned V. P. Dhananjayan on Choreography of Modern Themes in Bharatanatyam. "Sareeram Aadyam Khalu Dharma Saadhanam," quoted the speaker, at the outset, to emphasise that the goal of the individual body is to achieve the good and the higher values of life. While speaking of the glory of Bharatanatyam as that which can extend its territories, to adapt, and to adopt, he explained the need for interpreting new themes in the same idiom. As part of the demonstration, Dhananjayan presented a padam on traditional lines, composed by Sujatha Vijayaragahavan ("Neelakantare Vaarum") wherein the dancer could include contemporary ideas i to suit the content.
For the well-known text of 'Jungle Book' of Rudyard Kipling, a video clipping of Dhananjayan-Santha's choreography on traditional approach, was taken up for illustration. Using different forms of Indian dance, with the focus on Bharatanatyam, employing martial arts, and ballet all set to excellent music by Pandit Vijayaragahva Rao and his ensemble of varied Indian instruments, it came as a fitting finale to the lively lec-dem of Dhanajayan."
- Nandini Ramani, The Hindu, October 8, 2004
Bharatanaatyam dancer / Guru N.V. KRISHNAN Master (Founder Director, Bharatanjali, Payyanur ) one of the senior alumni of Bharatakalanjali has won the prestigious Kerala kalamandaam Puraskaram (Fellowship) 2004. Hearty congratulations to N.V.Krishnan and blessing from his Gurus, The Dhananjayans.
Krishnan has trained a number of excellent Bharatanatyam dancers in Kerala, including the famous actress Manju Warrier. Krishnan's students stood first in all Kerala youth festivals and competitions. The standard of Bharatanatyam in Kerala improved multifold after Krishnan came into the scene in Kerala. He is a well-respected artiste who has already been decorated by the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy a few years ago.
Krishnan has trained a number of excellent Bharatanatyam dancers in Kerala, including the famous actress Manju Warrier. Krishnan's students stood first in all Kerala youth festivals and competitions. The standard of Bharatanatyam in Kerala improved multifold after Krishnan came into the scene in Kerala. He is a well-respected artiste who has already been decorated by the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy a few years ago.
TIRUKKURAL IN BHARATANAATYAM
by Trio sisters KAVITHA, MEERA & ANJANA ( Pathmaraja sisters of California)The Dhananjayans have visualized the immortal work of Tiruvalluvar and the premier of this production will be held in Chennai sometime in May/June 2005.
Prof. D. Pasupathi (Kalakshetra) Retired Principal, Music College, Tirupati has very aptly set the music for this dance production and the audio CD of this dance music will be released soon for the International market. The Trio sisters wish to donate the proceeds from the CD sale and performances to charitable organizations supporting the cause of children’s welfare. For more details contact Dr. & Mrs. Pathmaraja email: pat42801@aol.com or pathmame@gse.harvard.edu
Article –Interview featured in The Michigan State Newspaper, The Daily Oakland Press
Couple promote classical danceWeb-posted Jul 5, 2004
By NATALIE LOMBARDO
Of The Daily Oakland Press
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/070504/loc_70558.shtml
Article –Interview featured in The Michigan State Newspaper, The Daily Oakland Press
Couple promote classical danceWeb-posted Jul 5, 2004
By NATALIE LOMBARDO
Of The Daily Oakland Press
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/070504/loc_70558.shtml
A report of Dhananjayans Lec-Dem On The art of living with a living Art held at Hindu Temple, Canton, MI on June 27, 2004
Under the auspices of Nrityollaasa, Center for performing arts in Michigan the Dhananjayans gave an elucidating lecture demonstration on the technique of Bharatanaatyam. The founder and Director of Nrityollasa Roopa Shyamasundara, welcoming the audience said the Dhananjayans are the finest example for "the art of living with a living art" both in a profession and in life, making it complementary to each other. It was indeed a great revelation to the large crowd who attended the session, that the couple have been living with this performing art for almost 55 years, and made the art a way of living.MORE
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