What is World Dance Day

International Dance Day (World Dance Day) has been celebrated on April 29 through promotion by the International Dance Council (CID), an umbrella organization within UNESCO for all kinds of dance.

SPIC MACAY and World Dance

On the occasion of World Dance Day, SPIC MACAY Bangalore hosted Mudra - A celebration of Indian classical Dance forms. This special series coincided with the International WorldDance Day which falls on the 29^th of April. World Dance Day is promoted by the InternationalDance Council (CID), an umbrella organization within UNESCO for all kinds of dance. Among the goals of the Dance Day are to increase the awareness of the importance of dance among the general public, as well as to persuade governments all over the world to provide a proper place for dance in all systems of education, from primary to higher. The dance series organized by SM Bangalore  organized a total of 17  programmes   from the 21^st until 30^th of April 2010 which  saw noted exponents from each of the seven Indian classical dance forms namely Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchupidi, Kathak and Bharathanatyam.

Mudra had a grand inaugural by Padmashree Darshana Jhaveri on April 21^st at Amrita School of Engineering. The program staged in an open air set up witnessed a crowd of over 1000 students and 100 faculty members. The heavy downpour during the program did not deter the spirits of the artists or students. Dharshanaji began the program with a brief introduction on Manipuri Dance form, it’s origin and it’s essence. This was followed by an elaborate performance by the troupe on various items such as Raas Leela (eternal love between Radha and Krishna), Poong Cholam (Drum Dance), Pontha Jagoi (Jugalbandhi between Radha and Krishna), Mridang Vadan (Playing drums in a complex rhythmic pattern) and Khuvhaishei, the famous clap dance. The students and faculty were equally enthused by the complete display of Manipuri dance. The program, followed by an interactive session had many students pose questions on the dance form and its history. Darshanaji and troupe also performed at Air Force School and Indian Institute of Science where a similar response was received. Mudra had an amazing head start with Darshana Jhaveriji and troupe’s performance.

SPIC MACAY had a maiden  Mohiniaattam  dance recital by Dr.Methil Devika  who is a  recipient of Yuva Puraskar from  Kendriya Sangeet Natak Academy. Methil Devikaji’s performance was staged at PESSE (PES School of Engineering) and IIIT-B (International  Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore).  Mohiniattam, fundamentally a lasya oriented dance form was portrayed with utmost elegance and bhavas. Devikaji showcased scenes from Silappadikara; the Tamil Classic based on Kovalan and Kannagi, Sudama Charitram; rendezvous between Lord Krishna and Sudama (Kuchela), Krishna Janam; birth of Lord Krishna.  While brilliantly portraying the powerful woman Kannagi  , Devika linked the episode of Chilapadikaram with the most famous Devi temple of Kerala i.e Kodungallur Devi.    Devikaji beautifully portrayed the ‘Navabhavas’, 9 bhavas that bring out the rasas (mood) in the audience by the performer. The lecture demonstration session with the audience proved very educative for the students who were oblivious about Mohiniattam. Some of the students were also keen to know the differences between Mohiniattam and Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam’s impact on Kathakali and Kuddiattam.The Director of IITB mentioned that for the Mtech and Phd students of Information Technology, it is a great  edcuation on ‘communication’ through divine art form like Mohini Attam.

Mudra also witnessed another new entrant to SPIC MACAY galaxy of artists for Kathakali. Shri Kottakkal Chandrashekaran and troupe delivered an extensive, intricate performance of Kathakali at Indian Institute of Science, Air Force School and Rashtriya Military School. The group consisting of 14 artists from Kottakkal, Kerela performed a sequence on Nala Damayanthi story where the demon Kali deceives righteous Nala from his(Nala’s) path of Dharma with Damayanthi. The richness and fervor of characters was delineated very well leaving the audience spell bound.  Also, the depiction of Navarasas, Hastas, Dasavataram brought in a sense of familiarity and enhanced one’s knowledge on Kathakali which is primarily a complex, heavy dance form.  Incidentally Guru Chandrashekaran  ( SNA Awardee) belongs to the most famous Kottakkal Ayurveda founder family

Kuchipudi, dance from Andhra Pradesh was represented by the danseuse Vyjayanthi Kashi. Vidushi  Vyjayanthi is a recipient of the Kendriya Sangeet Natak Academy Award and is one of the most prominent Kuchupidi dancers in India.  She  performed for the first time for  SPIC MACAY and her concerts were held at Rashtriya Military School and MS Rammiah Institute of Technology.  Vyjayanthiji and her disciples performed the Mohini Nartham ; dance of Mohini and a collection of Navarasas. This was followed by a piece on ‘Prakruthi and Purusha’ which essentially contrasts and unites the masculine and feminine forms of nature in Lord Shiva, otherwise known as Ardhanareshwar. The nucleus of Kuchupidi being the Tarangam or dancing on the brass plate was demonstrated. The extensive lecture demonstration on Kuchipudi, Tarangam was well received by students.

Mudra witnessed Padmashree Dr. Ileana Citaristi on Odissi at SoS Children’s Village, Army Base School and NIE Mysore. Padmashri  Ileana and her disciples demonstrated basics of Odissi to students. This consisted of movements specific to Odissi on postures as such Choka, Tribhangi. A short piece on Nritta was performed followed by an item on Abhinaya. Dr. Ileana and her disciples gracefully depicted the subtle aspects of Odissi. SPIC MACAY Bangaloreinvigorated Mysore chapter by holding Ileanaji’s performance at NIE Mysore.

World Dance Day, April 29^th was embellished by Pt Rajendra Gangani and group performance of Kathak.  Pt Rajendra Gangani belonging to the traditional Jaipur Gharana of demonstrated Kathak in its pristine form.  He was accompanied by his disciple Swati Sinha. The swift, spontaneous chakkars and foot works was eye captivating for the students. The concert in Army Public School falling on the World Dance Day also had Dr. Maya Rao, Kathak exponent among the audience. The school children were enthralled by the performance and showed great interests in learning Kathak. Rajendraji and group gave a memorable show at National Law School and Army Public School

Mudra came to a conclusion by an enchanting performance by Guru Smt Padmini Ravi on Bharatanatyam. Padminiji’s performance was held at National Law School and M Vishveshwaraih Institute of Technology.  Her lecture demonstration tried to bring in a reform in the student’s mindset on their impression of Bharatanatyam as an orthodox, rigid dance form.  She educated them on the ease and flexibility of Bharatanatyam and transformed their idea on Indian classical forms in general. Guru Padmini Ravi also demonstrated some traditional as well as contemporary pieces of Bharatanatyam leaving the students longing for more

SPIC MACAY Bangalore was delighted to host Mudra. The series was inimitable as it was a display of classical dance forms from length and breadth of the country, confluence of veteran artists who are patrons as well as new entrants to SPIC MACAY and diverse institutes ranging from under privileged schools to research institutes. The Bangalore Chapter aims to have more such initiatives in future.

Link to some pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mythraeyi.venkatesh/Mudra_SMBangalore#

World Dance Series-2011 in Rajasthan

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18-22 APRIL

Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpandey

Hindustani Classical Vocal

24- APRIL-1 May

Dr. Dipti Omcheri Bhalla

Mohiniattam

20-28 April

Shree Kewalya Kumar

Hindustani Classical Vocal

20-28 April

Ms. Kapila Venu

Kudiyattam Dance

21-21 April

Ms.Kala Ramnath

Voilin

22-29 April

Ms.Monisa Nayak

Kathak

11-16 April

Shri Sanjiv-Ashwini Shankar

Shehnai

SPIC MACAY

Chittorgarh Presents

Fest 2011 Part-II & World Dance Series-2011

In Association with

Tata DOCOMO

(Dedicated to Our Great Gurus Pandit Bhimsen joshi)

First of all on behalf of SPIC MACAY Chittorgarh Chapter Committee, We would like to thank you and your institution for full co-operation during the last year 2010-11 in all the activities of our youth movement. Seasons Greeting to all of you. We are going to start Fest 2011 Part-II & World Dance Series-2011.The Activities will be  from 16 April  with modified chapter committee. We have planned some famous artiste for this month of April. The programs will be of all types of our heritage. We are giving the details of the artiste in this letter, if it is possible for you to come,please do come.We heartily welcome you to witness the rare concerts which are possible in Chittorgarh due to SPIC MACAY.

Tentative Schedule of program of April,2011

With Regards