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Edited and published by Ashish Mohan Khokar India's only year-book on dance, released every Spring 2008/09 anniversary issue Plus all regular yearly news and views |
 Guru Gopinath revolutionised Kathakali and five articles by those close to him -- his daughters Vasanthi and Vinodini; students G Venu and Tapati Chowdhurie, and historians-critics pen an indepth portrait on the man and his contribution. Rare pics and reviews from 1930s decorate the issue thanks to the depths of Mohan Khokar Dance Archives, now a big resource for serious dance discourse and journals like attendance. The art of the Chakyars, represented by fountainhead Mani Madhav and later star, Ammanur, head the issue with two exceptional contributions by a professor of Sanskrit, Indologist and former Ambassador of Poland to India, Mr. Maria Bryski, who was his student in 1962 and one by the master's grandson who found us on the net and wished to write on his great family tradition. Ammanur was served devotedly by dancer-researcher G Venu who pens a tribute to his guru and master of the form, Ammannur. A vidushaka (jester in Koodiyatam), Rajan who settled in Mumbai, did much to propagate this rare art in that region and thus earned the title "chakyar" though he was not. He is celebrated by his daughter and disciple Padmaja Suresh. Living dance legends MK Saroja and Kumudini Lakhia are featured to show what true gurus are like (both actually won that Living Legend title/award in 2008/9). Both are too shy to be called gurus though they have trained and inspired many. In Mangalore, guru Jayalakshmi Alva and in Delhi, Yog Sunder have worked in dance for decades, without any reward or returns. But they have enthused many to learn. They are all platformed in this issue. Important events of 2008 like Ramli Ibrahim's massive 25 days juggernaut, Stirring Orissi, held in Malaysia, set a new benchmark in Festival focus. A dance fair -Dance Jathre - a novel concept by Vyjayanti Kashi in Bangalore involved many and the Natya Kala Conference organised and convened by Ananda Shankar Jayant, were the highlights of 2008. Add, news, views, reviews and even stews! Spats, brick-bats, bouquets! Awards, honours, travels - all are platformed in 2008. Books, obits, special features like North, East, West, South (NEWS!) diaries from each region by Ambika Paniker, Shyamhari Chakra, Ashish Khokar and Suresh Desai help bring us news from all over India. Full of pictures, both rare and current, form the bedrock of all issues. Buy a copy today before stock runs out! Catch the early bird offer!
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