July 12 - 30, 2008 Australia  Dance historian, scholar, author, critic 's itinerary for the month of July 2008  July 12 till 18 - Brisbane   World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific Conference  Six day seminar, parallel sessions of lectures, workshops, choreo-lab, Annual General Meeting  Global Assembly, meetings of WDA AMERICAS, EUROPE and ASIA PACIFIC ballets in the evening, showcase etc, etc  July 19 till 25 - Sydney  Illustrated talk on New Directions In Indian Dance  At Critical Path studio at 5pm on 25th July  In collaboration with Lingalayam Dance Company of Anandavalli  July 26 till August 2 - Melbourne  July 28 - Illustrated Talk on New Directions In Indian dance   At Monash University, 2.30pm  Discussion regarding Louise Lightfoot, Australian dancer's visits to India  July 29 - Talk on my recent favourite book in English literature  University of Melbourne (orgnized by Indian Consulate)  July 30 - Recent developments in Indian dance  Lecture at Tara Raj Kumar's Academy of Mohini Attam, 5pm  e-mail: sunilkothari1933@gmail.com      website: www.sunilkothari.com

 

July 29, 2008 Bangalore    Suparna Venkatesh performed MAHA SHAKTI with 5 visually challenged dancers of Articulate.  The program was to to support the project ‘Extending medical benefits to performing artists - focus musicians.’    At Chowdiah Memorial Hall for the Ananya Arogyadara, at 7pm    Music ensemble at 6pm  Contact: Nagaraj 93412 88391 / Shakthi  98453 26764 / Nishant  97400 79794  Program supported by Sai Arts International (Bangalore), Kalapriya Foundation (Chicago) and World Dance Alliance - Karnataka Chapter.

 

July 5 - 29, 2008 Bangalore  Schedule for Sai Venkatesh - Light and stage designing for July 2008   5th July - Guru Meenal Prabhu, Mudrika, production, Bangalore  10th July - Madhu Nataraj’s show, Bangalore  13th July - Sangeetya Aasthana, music show, M S Sheela and Praveen Godkhandi.  19th July - Praveen Kumar’s student - Bharatanatyam presentation.  20th July - Doctors conference.  21st July - Doctors meet - national conference on cardiology.  26th July - Guru Sridevi Unni, Mohiniattam production  29th July - Ananya presented Maha Shakti ballet at Chowdiah Hall.  e-mail: saivenkatesh@gmail.com / k.domaindlx.com/saiinternational/

 

July 27, 2008 Delhi  Gati Forum: APPROACHES TO DANCE-MAKING WITH PREETHI ATHREYA  Workshop for dancers on Sunday, July 27 from 10.30am - 12.30pm  At: Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan  A dance workshop that looks at ways of creating a personal language of the body using different sources ranging from text to body-space interactions, as points of departure. Based on fundamental principles of movement, the workshop included a warm-up, a short class, followed by improvisation as a way to share and exchange perceptions on dance.  A Chennai-based contemporary dancer, Preethi Athreya trained in Bharatanatyam under the Dhananjayans. She holds a post-graduate degree in Dance Studies (Laban Centre, London, 2001). Preethi has been working with well-known choreographer Padmini Chettur in Chennai since 1999. Her solo creations are Kamakshi (2003) Inhabit (2006) and Porcelain (2007).  e-mail: gatidance@gmail.com or call 011 - 23329506 ext - 292

 

July 27, 2008 Birmingham, UK  A leading Mumbai based theatre company toured across the UK with a production starring Mahesh Manjrekar and Achint Kaur. HSBC NRI presented DOUBLE DEAL, a high on energy power play directed by the acclaimed film/theatre director and writer Mahesh Dattani, from Mumbai.  Ashwin Gidwani, producer, brought this adaptation of “Killing Time” by Richard Stockwell on stage at The Crescent in Birmingham.  Double Deal is about an encounter between two strangers - When Jeet helps Rhea pay the grocery bill in a store, an innocent friendship begins, but will it tear away at the hands of deceit and betrayal? Crimes and misdemeanors of the past turn the present into a bizzare battle of money.  The cast play mysterious characters with deceit and betrayal in mind.  A rare theatrical treat. Dialogue in English with reference to a few Hindi words.  Sunday 27th July, 7:30pm  Venue: The Crescent Theatre Birmingham  email: Gidwani.ashwin@gmail.com

 

July 27, 2008 Chennai    Release of pictorial biography BHARATANATYAM BHAKTA GURU M K SAROJA by Ashish Mohan Khokar, hosted by Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and released by N Murali, MD, The Hindu. Leela Samson introduced the book and Anita Ratnam felicitated. Guru Narasimhachari received the first copy. This was followed by the screening of a short film compiled by her principal disciple Vidya from Paris.   At Narada Gana Sabha mini hall at 6pm.  Book available for special price of Rs.500 at venue  www.attendance-india.com

 

July 21 - 27, 2008 MO  Program schedule for Hemavathi Sharma for July 2008  July 21 - 27: KC Fringe Festival, KC, MO   e-mail: hemavathisharma2001@yahoo.com / www.nritya.org

 

July 7 - 27, 2008 Mumbai, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai  attendance launched in:  - 14 July: Mumbai at Nalanda, Kanak Sabha, released by Dr. Kanak Rele, 6 pm.  - 16 July: Baroda, released by H.H. Ranjit Sinh Gaekwad ji; first copy recd by the Vice Chancellor, M S University. Org by Dr Parul Shah.  - 17 July: Ahmedabad at Darpana, released by Guru Mrinalini Sarabhai, 6 pm. Darpana, Usmanpura.  - 20 July: Hyderabad, ITC Kakaitya Hotel, released by Sect. Culture and Toursim, 6 pm.  - 27 July: Chennai, Guru M K Saroja biography, Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall, 6 pm  See www.attendance-india.com for book details...  e-mail: khokar1960@gmail.com

 

July 6 - 27, 2008 Pärnu, Estonia  XXII PÄRNU INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL   International program July 6 - July 12.  Award Ceremony on July 12 at late evening.  Travelling program in different towns in Estonia from July 14 - July 25  Check the schedule: http://www.chaplin.ee/english/filmfestival/program2008.htm

 

July 26, 2008 Washington DC  Dakshina performed at the FRINGE FESTIVAL - SONGS OF MY LIFE at 8:30 pm   9:30 Club,  815 V St. NW.   For this performance Dakshina presented three programs in one night in one of the hottest night clubs in the East Coast. The program began with Songs of My Life, and  followed with their collaboration with WIT Going against the Flow and closed with an open performance. Songs of My Life linked a series of choreographed vignettes - each of which represents a snapshot of certain relationship or situation that might happen in a club. Between the vignettes, a DJ spun live mixes of songs while audience and cast members alike were invited to dance.  e-mail: info@dakshina.org

 

July 26, 2008 Bangalore    Sreedevi Unni along with her students of Monisha Arts performed a Mohiniattam feature MATHRUSPANDANA. Conception perhaps best epitomizes motherhood. Through ‘Mathruspandana’ Sreedevi Unni paid homage to the concept of motherhood, portraying the wailing of Gandhari, the queen mother, as narrated in the chapter Sthri Parva of Mahabharata.  At Sevasadan, 14th Cross, Malleshwaram, 6.30pm.

 

July 25 & 26, 2008 Cardiff, Wales  Dancer and choreographer, Madhvi Dalal returned to Chapter with an emotionally charged performance based on the controversial topic of Hindu widowhood. WHITE SHADOW gives an insight into the heart wrenching injustice, trauma and institutionalised plight Hindu widows have to bear. Their fate, which is determined by the male-dominated society, is conveniently veiled by the politicians and fundamentalists under the pretext of Hindu religion. Madhvi integrated dance, documentary video by film-maker Dr Aparna Sharma with live music arranged, composed and performed by Anish.   Performed at Chapter, Market Road, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1QE, at 8pm  Part of passion 08 angerdd festival www.cardiffpassion.co.uk  e-mail: info@madhvi.net

 

July 20 - 26, 2008 Manchester, UK  A rare and unique feast of Indian dance. FESTIVAL OF DANCE INDIA every evening   At: The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ at 7pm  Sunday 20th July: Aditi Mangaldas and Manjari Chandrasekhar  Monday 21st July: Priyadarshini Govind and Prashant Shah  Tuesday 22nd July: Sujata Mohapatra and Sushmita Ghosh  Wednesday 23rd July: Northwest Dance Alliance and Gauri Sharma Tripathi   Thursday 24th July: Prof. CV Chandrasekhar and Sonia Sabri  Friday 25th July: In conversation with Kumudini Lakhia  Saturday 26th July: In conversation with Kalanidhi Narayanan  e-mail: info@milapfest.com / www.milapfest.com

 

July 25, 2008 Spanish Fork, Utah  DHARMA, YOGA OF LOVE by Krishna Youth, 6:30pm  Manu and 55 youth on the annual bus tour spent Friday evening presenting dance and drama at the temple: Bharat Dance troupe headed by Annapayini, followed by the acclaimed musical drama, KUNTI AND KARNA adapted from the Mahabharat, India's greatest epic.  At: Krishna Temple, 8628 S. State Rd., Spanish Fork, UT 84660  Call the Krishna Temple (801) 798-3559 for more information

 

July 21 - 25, 2008 Hyderabad  NRITYA SANRACHANA organised by SNA, New Delhi, in collaboration with Dept of Culture, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, and Shankarananda Kalakshetra.   -Monday, 21 July: Dashavatara & Dashapushpa: Choreographer-Bharati Shivaji, Centre for Mohiniattam, Delhi   Navarasa: Choreographer-Ananda Shankar Jayant, Shankarananda Kalakshetra, Hyderabad   - Tuesday, 22 July: Ashta Nayika: Choreographer- Singhajit Singh, Nrityashram, Delhi & JNMDA, Imphal   Sapta: Kathak Kendra, Delhi, Choreographer- Prerna Shrimali   - Wednesday, 23 July: Shadrutu: Swapnasundari, Delhi  Framing Five: Choreographer- Anita Ratnam, Arangham Dance Theatre, Chennai   - Thursday, 24 July: Chaturveda: Choreographer- Rajashree Shirke, Lasya Academy of Dance, Mumbai   Tri Murti: Chhau Kendra SNA, Choreographer – Shashadhar Acharya   - Friday, 25 July: Dvaita: Raja Radha Reddy, Delhi   Advaita: Padma Subrahmanyam, Chennai   Shunya: Sonal Mansingh, Delhi  At: Rabindra Bharati, from 6.45pm daily

 

July 24, 2008 Chennai    Anuradha Vikranth presented solo Bharatanatyam recital at the Maharaja Swati Tirunal Dance Festival at Sri Padmanabha Temple, Adyar, at 7pm.   Website: anu.drishtimag.com / e-mail: info@drishtimag.com

 

July 23, 2008 Hyderabad  ANITA RATNAM performed during the NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF NUMBERS   The Sangeet Natak Akademi of New Delhi celebrated the National Festival of Numbers NATYA SANKHYA UTSAV with a dance festival showcasing the significance of numbers and numerology with a performance for all numbers from 10 to 0 where each number was performed by a renowned dance performer. This festival was conceived by Ananda Shankar Jayant.   Anita Ratnam performed FRAMING FIVE using her signature movement aesthetic named Neo Bharatam where voice, movement and text mingle.   Music and sound design has been crafted by OS Arun, and percussionist/composer KSR Aniruddha. Stage design is by Mithran Devenesen and costumes by Nanda Devenesen. The number 5 stands as a mystical and significant number for many cultures across the globe such as Hindu, Jewish, Islam, Christian, Sikh and Shinto. Dance legends such as Padma Subrahmanyam, Sonal Mansingh, Radha and Raja Reddy and Swapnasundari also participated in the series.   At 8pm at the Rabindra Bharati Auditorium, Hyderabad  Contact: arangham@gmail.com / www.arangham.com

 

July 20, 2008 NYC  Mala's School of Odissi Dance & Dakshina Palli, Inc. presented GURUTATTVA (Element of the Guru), celebrating Gurpurab. Presenting the classical dance of South and East India with Jaan R Freeman (Bharatanatyam) &  Mala Desai (Odissi)  Jaan and Mala performed dances from their traditional repertoire.  Featuring a new collaborative work JATI-PALL fusing the music from the Bharatanatyam, Jatiswaram and the Odissi, Pallavi.  At 2pm    At City Center Studios, 130 West 56th street, 3rd floor, NYC  www.dakshinapalli.org

 

July 20, 2008 Baltimore, MD    Janaki Rangarajan performed solo Bharatanatyam for Artscape at 2:30pm.  Lyric Opera House  140 W. Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21201  For more information, please visit www.nrityaniketan.com

 

July 20, 2008 Singapore  Apsaras Arts Ltd presented LOCAL HEROES staged in conjuction with the Heritage Festival. Apsaras presented a dance drama on three heroes who have made their imprint on the rudiments of the Republic to date.   The 3 heroes are: S Rajaratnam - 1st Foreign Affairs Minister, P Govindasamy Pillai, entrepreneur, S L Perumal, Philanthropist.  Venue: Suntec City, Singapore  e-mail: apsaras_arts@pacific.net.sg

 

July 20, 2008 Chennai  Junior Artiste Program followed by Dance Competition on 20th July 9 am. P.S. High School (Chennai).   Contact: 9790956617 (Music Connoisseurs Club)

 

July 20, 2008 Saratoga, CA    Every year PAMPA performs an event in large scale to encourage the students and spread the cultural values of our Indian arts. Under the leadership of artistic director and choreographer Nirmala Madhava, around 40 dancers of PAMPA presented TARANGINI at 4pm.   At McAfee Performing Arts Theatre, Saratoga High School, 20300 Herriman Ave,   Saratoga, CA 95070

 

July 19 & 20, 2008 Washington, DC  Vijay Palaparty performed as part of the NEW RELEASES CHOREOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE at Dance Place in Washington, DC. The program was Dance Place's annual adjudicated showcase of new works by established and emerging choreographers.   Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 8pm, Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 7pm  At: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017

 

July 19, 2008 Monroe, NY  RAMAYANA dance drama by the East-West School of Dance, directed by Pandit S N Charka, featured dramatic scenes from the great epic of ancient India, which portrays the eternal battle between good and evil - the story of our mind. The Ramayana production, created with the efforts of both American and Indian dancers, actors and technical staff, was presented as a spectacular multimedia pageant at the lakeside amphitheater (location weather permitting).  At the Blue Sky Center, Ananda Ashram, 13 Sapphire Road, Monroe, NY 10950, 8.30pm  Info: 845-782-5525 / charkasn@yahoo.com

 

July 19, 2008 New Delhi  Aadyantara presented RANG - COLOURS OF DEVOTION by Swati Subodh Siddhartha  In this production by Aadyantara, various facets of devotion as conceived and penned by some of the very well known poets like Kalidas, Amir Khusrau, Kabir and Meera spanning different eras were depicted. Using the grammar of kathak, this presentation depicted the colors of devotion in a language which emerges out of an amalgamation of the poets' imagination and the artists' own interpretation.  Venue: Triveni Kala Sangam, 6.30pm    e-mail: aadyantara@gmail.com

 

July 19, 2008 Chennai    Pooja Kumar, disciple of A Lakshman and Savithri Jagannatha Rao, performed  For Natyarangam at Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall, at 6pm.   e-mail: poojadance@gmail.com

 

July 15 - 19, 2008 Seoul, South Korea  Padmaja Suresh was invited by the International Federation of Theater Research, Chung Ang University, Seoul, South Korea between 15th and 19th July, to present her paper- HINDUISM AND BHARATANATYAM in the Scholar's Forum. Her paper won a scholars runner up prize and besides this, she also performed a dance recital during the conference.  e-mail: padmajasuresh@hotmail.com

 

July 18, 2008 Bangalore    The prestigious Lalitha Kala Parishad (Bangalore) presented a Kathakali dance recital by Probal Gupta, senior disciple of Guru Kalamandalam Govindan Kutty and Fact Padmanabhan.   Venue: National College Auditorium, Jayanagar 7th Block, 6:30pm  e-mail: probs_gupta12@yahoo.co.in

 

July 18, 2008 Anaheim, CA  Shakti Dance Company presented camp performance  At Chinmaya Mission, ‘Kasi,’ Anaheim, at 7pm  email: danceyatra@yahoo.com / www.shaktidancecompany.com

 

July 18, 2008 Montreal, Canada  As part of Guru Purnima celebrations at Kala Bharati, Montreal DISCOURSE AND DISCUSSION ON THE PANDANALLUR TRADITION: an illustrated presentation of carrying on, outside the country of origin,  the teaching and legacy of gurus U S Krishna Rao and Chandrabhaga Devi of Bangalore with the participation of Mamata Niyogi Nakra of Kala Bharati, Montreal, Herlinda Gonzalez Garcia and Ananga Malatesta of Gopesvara Academy, Lima, Peru.  At 7:30 p m  at Le Niketan, 3410 A Sherbrooke St East, Montreal.   For more information contact Michel Laverdiere: info@kalabharati.ca   www.kalabharati.ca

 

July 17, 2008 Venice, CA  Shakti presented ABHINAYA by Bragha Bessel  Venue: The Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice, CA 90291, at 8pm  Mythili Prakash - nattuvangam, Harikrishnan Kalyanasundaram - mridangam & choreography, Roopa Mahadevan - vocal, Kiran Athreya - violin.   Items included those specially choreographed for Shakti Dance Company by Bragha and Harikrishnan Kalyanasundaram.  email: danceyatra@yahoo.com / www.shaktidancecompany.com

 

July 14, 2008, New Delhi    P Praveen kumar performed Bharatanatyam @ India International Center (IIC), @ 6.30pm.   Contact: 94498 15114/ praveendance@hotmail.com

 

July 13, 2008 Santa Monica, CA, USA  Sunday @ 6pm - Double Bill!  RANGOLI FESTIVAL OF SOLOS presents an evening of Bharatanatyam dances including time honored classics and premieres.  Featured Dancer: Lakshmi Iyengar  Malathi Iyengar – Dance Conductor  Musician from India: Nandakumar U - Vocal, Gurumurthy G - Percussion, and Vivek V - Flute.  Guest Dancer: Navia Natarajan  At: The Edye Second Space, Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310, 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA,   Phone: (310) 434-3414 / www.smc.edu/madison   Tickets & Reservation: lakshmiyengar@gmail.com, malathisiyengar@gmail.com / 818 788 6860  Admission: $15  www.rangoli.org

 

July 13, 2008 New Delhi    Worlds first - historic first: BHARATANATYAM ON WHEELS performed by artistes with disabilities under the direction of Syed Sallaudin Pasha. The performance hopefully opens doors to every interested disabled artiste to practice Bharatanatyam.  A new 'Natya Shastra for the differently abled' will emerge in the horizons of Indian classical dance. This 60 minutes performance was the first of its kind in the world. Performance opened with Purwarangam (pre-presentational rituals as per the fifth chapter of Natya Shastra) and continued with  'Dasha Disha' ritualistic dance performance that described ten cosmic directions performed with beejakshara mantra of each god and 'Dasha Roopa' described ten incarnations of Vishnu, both works entirely performed on wheel chairs.  At: Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi   Time: 6.30pm  Website: www.abilityunlimited.com

 

July 13, 2008 Delhi  Gati Forum: Leela Samson and Chandralekha "In Film"  Film Screenings of THE FLOWERING TREE and SHARIRA - CHANDRALEKHA'S EXPLORATIONS IN DANCE directed by Ein Lall.   At Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan, at 6.30pm - free entry   The Flowering Tree, 1996, 26 min / Sharira, 2003, 29 min  'Sharira' and 'The Flowering Tree' are films about the life and work of the choreographer Chandralekha and of the dancer, choreographer and teacher Leela Samson respectively. Both films are as much about the artists, their relationship with the body and their concerns as creative people, as about their work. The films explore the inner landscape of these two very different artists and the choices they have made in negotiating the world around them.  Ein Lall is a filmmaker and video artist. She has made several films with a specific focus on women artists including Nalini Malani, Shubha Mudgal and Revathi Kamath. She also creates video installations in collaboration with dance and theatre.  e-mail: gatidance@gmail.com or call 011 - 23329506 ext - 292

 

July 12, 2008  Santa Monica, CA, USA  Saturday @ 7pm - Double Bill!  RANGOLI FESTIVAL OF SOLOS presented an evening of Bharatanatyam dances including time honored classics and premieres.  Featured Dancers: Hema Iyer & Karisma Nagarkatti  Malathi Iyengar - Dance Conductor  Musicians from India: Nandakumar U - Vocal, Gurumurthy G - Percussion, and Vivek V - Flute.  At: The Edye Second Space, Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310, 11th Street Santa Monica, CA.  Phone: (310) 434-3414 / www.smc.edu/madison  nagarkatti@hotmail.com / 805 493 0540  www.rangoli.org

 

July 12, 2008 Irvine, CA    Ramya Harishankar and Arpana Dance Company presented ANNAMACHARYA, a special presentation at Irvine, CA  e-mail: info@arpanadancecompany.org / www.arpanadancecompany.org

 

July 12, 2008 Bangalore    Prateeksha Kashi, disciple of Vyjayanthi Kashi presented KUCHIPUDI TRADITIONS as part of ANKURA FESTIVAL.   At: Yavanika, 7.30pm to 8.30pm  e-mail: futureofdance@hotmail.com   For details visit www.schoolofkuchipudi.com

 

July 11, 2008 Mumbai  Ileana Citaristi performed Odissi dance in URJA, 2 days festival showcasing the brilliance in music and dance. The program was held at Godrej Dance Academy Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai, at 6.30pm.  e-mail: ileana5@hotmail.com / www.artvisionindia.com

 

July 10, 2008 Lichfield, UK  For years it’s been sitting in the archives of the British Film Institute. But now the classic 1928 silent film SHIRAZ has been dusted off and given a new lease of life as the renowned Sabri Ensemble create a specially commissioned score, to be performed live at this year’s LICHFIELD FESTIVAL.   Set in the Mughal Empire during the 17th century, Shiraz tells of the powerful romance which inspired the building of the Taj Mahal. One of several films produced by Indian solicitor Himansu Rai and directed by German Franz Osten in the 1920s, Shiraz was a unique collaboration aiming at audiences in both counties. The film was shot in India with an enormous cast and is remarkable for its extensive and evocative locations and its sumptuous photography. It is an epic story of love, mistaken identity and devotion that tells the tale of the Empress Mumtaz Mahal, her lover, the 17th century Mughal emperor, and her devoted brother, Shiraz, who designs the Taj Mahal. The film’s screening at Lichfield Festival will be accompanied by a specially commissioned score. Richard Hawley, Artistic Director of the Lichfield Festival, explains how the idea to bring Shiraz back to life came about:  “The idea of commissioning new music for silent film had been on the cards since 2006 when Chaplin short films with live orchestra were screened in Lichfield Cathedral.  The Shiraz project was conceived to mirror the original Rai/Osten collaboration, where ideas, in this case music, from different cultural backgrounds could fuse into something fundamentally new. It also became an opportunity also comment on issues of cultural identity, especially for British-born Asians, because the Taj Mahal is such an iconic building. Silent film is an increasingly important part of Britain’s cultural fabric, and while the UK leads the world in terms of the presentation of silent film, largely because of the work of the National Film and Television Archive, it remains important to tap into the British Film Institute archives and dust off films that deserve a wider appreciation. It was also key for me that this new Festival production utilised musicians from the West Midlands.  The wonderful Sabri Ensemble was a perfect choice.”  Led by composer and master tabla player Sarvar Sabri, the Sabri Ensemble draws upon the dynamic and creative energy released when the Indian classical tradition meets traditions from other parts of the world. Their specially commissioned score will be performed live in its world premier at the Lichfield Festival on Thursday 10 July.  Shiraz was commissioned by the Lichfield Festival in collaboration with sampad.   Shiraz - world premiere on Thursday 10 July, 7.15pm  Venue: Lichfield Garrick, Castle Dyke, Lichfield  The Lichfield Festival was from July 3 - 13

 

July 10, 2008 Pärnu, Estonia  THE NINE MOVEMENTS OF THE EYELID - A creative documentary by Rajele Jain  104 min., HDV, 2008 produced by Francisco Camacho and Rajele Jain  The film had its world premiere in the XII. Documentary Festival Pärnu:  "While traditional thought conceptualizes the human body as a unique centre, a centre of the universe, expanding outwards into the cosmos, industrial society converts the body into the prime target of attack: as citizen, attacked by the political system; as consumer, attacked by the economic system; as individual, bombarded by the media, denied contact with nature, incapable of self-renewal, suffocated by poisons in air and water, isolated and deprived of directions for change.  The question then arises: What role can dance play in such a society? Can it recuperate energies? Can it initiate a living flow between individual and community? Can it integrate human perspectives? Can it infuse people with joy for life, radical optimism, hope, courage, and vision to negate all that is ugly, unjust and hurtful? If our life is alienated, can our dances and arts help to transcend that alienation?" (Chandralekha in: new directions in Indian dance, ed. by Sunil Kothari, Marg Publications 2003)  with:  Anita Ratnam, Anjali Sriram, Prof. C. V. Chandrasekhar, Chandralekha, Chitra Viswanathan, Clara Games, Debarati Natarajan, Sri Gopalakrishnan Pillai, Indu Varma, Kalanidhi Narayanan, Kalpana Raghuraman, Kamakshi Jarayanan, Madhavi Mandira, Manjari Chandrasekhar, Meenaskhi Chitaranjan, Nalini Chettur, Prasanna Oommen, Rani Ottermann, Shyamala, Sunil Kothari, Mrs. Suryakala, Tarika Valli  Narrator: Prof. T V Gopalkrishnan, Director of Photography: Gerd Peun  Audioscapes: ORANGOTANGO, Special Effects: Vipulamati: AI Association  Main program of the festival was from July 6 to July 12!  The festival centre was located in the Museum of New Art in Pärnu, 10, Esplanaadi St.  e-mail: raj@rajele.net  http://www.chaplin.ee/english/filmfestival/program2008.htm

 

July 8, 2008 Portland, Oregon    Janaki Rangarajan presented a lecture/demonstration KARANAS FROM THE NATYASASTRA at 7pm.  Intel Hawthorne Farm Auditorium, Hawthorn Farm 3  5200, NE Elam Young Parkway, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124  For more information, please visit www.nrityaniketan.com

 

July 8, 2008 London  Akademi, South Asian Dance UK, held a special gathering in celebration of Big Dance 2008 and Rise for Dancers, Choreographers and Teachers of South Asian Dance.  At 6:15pm: South Asian Dance Forum (for Dancers, Choreographers and Teachers only)  Facilitated by Chris Thomson, Director of Learning and Access, The Place.   South Asian dancers, choreographers and teachers attended the forum to discuss current ideas, resources and challenges, as well as developments affecting careers in dance.   From 7:30-8:30pm: Abhinaya Concert by Pushkala Gopal, Bharatanatyam and Bireshwar Gautam, Kathak  From 8:30- 9:00pm - Networking Reception  Artists presented short performances of their recent work.   Venue: Hampstead Town Hall, 213 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 4QP  RSVP: mira@akademi.co.uk / lui@akademi.co.uk

 

July 7 & 8, 2008 London  Amici Dance Theatre Company and Indepen-dance presented OPEN DOOR.  Amici’s ‘Liebestod’ from Wagner’s music of the same name, was a tribute to Peter Sim, former stage manager who was snatched away under tragic circumstances. He was a ballet dancer too. Amici Dance Theatre Company is a unique dance theatre company integrating able-bodied & disabled artists and performers. AMICI was founded in 1980. Since then its productions and workshops have had a major impact challenging conventional attitudes about disability and the arts.   Indepen-dance with Amici dancers presented a 22-minute item titled FORECAST, a journey through weather reflecting personal feelings. The simple joy of sunshine, the refreshment brought by spring rain, the electric energy of storms and the peaceful calm of falling snow.    At the Hammersmith Lyric, King Street, London at 7.30pm.   e-mail: info@turtlekeyarts.org.uk

 

July 1st week, 2008 Bhubaneswar  Samskritiki Shreyaskar Orissa Chapter presented SURYA, THE SUN GOD  At Rabindra Mandap.  e-mail: ranikarn@vsnl.net / www.ranikathak.com

 

July 7, 2008 Thiruvananthapuram  IN MEMORY OF AMMANNUR MADHAVA CHAKYAR  At: Press Club Hall, Thiruvananthapuram, 6pm   Memorial Lecture by  Kavalam Narayana Panicker  Followed by screening of PAKARNNATTAM - AMMANNUR THE ACTOR (1995, 75 Mins), documentary on Ammanur Madhava Chakyar, the legendary Koodiyattam actor  Directed by M R Rajan, C S Venkiteswaran  All are Invited.

 

July 6, 2008 Chennai  The “Mylapore Trio” & the Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation present monthly concert KALA POSHAKAM. The performers were:  S. Akila - Bharatanatyam (Disciple of Hemalatha Ramachandran)  Deepa Chakravarthy - Mohini Aattam (Disciple of Gopika Varma)  Kuchipudi - Duet by Hemalatha Ramachandran & Kavitha Ramesh  S Jayanthi - Carnatic Music  Time: 5.30pm at Narada Gana Sabha, Mini Hall, T.T.K. Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 18.  For more details: 9382698811 / 9381038385 / +91-44-24935521  Email: sri_srmf@yahoo.com / srimylaporetrio@gmail.com  Website: www.srimylaporetrio.in

 

July 2 - 6, 2008 Athens, Greece  22ND WORLD CONGRESS ON DANCE RESEARCH  This was the largest gathering of dance specialists world-wide, the best opportunity to showcase one's work to a wide audience of practitioners, dance teachers, choreographers, researchers, journalists and organizers.  700 specialists from 64 countries took part in 2006.  All forms of dance were represented. Strictly non-profit. Not to be confused with festivals, workshops, competitions or open conferences.  Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, the Municipality of Athens and the National UNESCO Commission.  The congress was organized by the Dora Stratou Dance Theater and the Greek Section IOFA, in collaboration with the International Dance Council CID.  The program included:  -  Presentation and discussion of original research reports (papers)  -  Classes, lecture-demonstrations, video projections  -  Performances by dance companies, duos or solos  -  Exhibitions and sale of books, records, pictures, costumes, accessories etc.  -  Visits to places of special interest, such as dance schools, museums, sites etc.  -  Evenings where members could discuss in a relaxed setting.  president@cid-unesco.org / www.cid-unesco.org

 

July 5, 2008 Nashville, TN    The14 member Odissi dance group, Rudraksha, led by Guru Bichitrananda Swain performed at Nashville.   For more information: rudrakshya2008@gmail.com

 

July 4, 2008 Monroe, NY    Kathak Dance Concert by Pandit S N Charka & the East-West School of Dance. This dance concert in celebration of the Ashram's Anniversary featured traditional and contemporary Kathak dance with live music, including rhythmic dialogues between musicians and dancer.  At the Blue Sky Center, Ananda Ashram, 13 Sapphire Road, Monroe, NY 10950, 8.30pm  Info: Ananda Ashram: 845-782-5525 / charkasn@yahoo.com

 

July 4, 2008 Delhi    India International Centre presented Odissi dance recital by Aadya Kaktikar and Madhushree Dasgupta, disciples of Guru Mayadhar Raut and Madhumita Raut  Main Auditorium, India Internatinal Centre, 6.30pm.  e-mail: madhumitaraut@yahoo.com

 

July 2, 2008 Birmingham  Town Hall, Birmingham supported by sampad presented Zakir Hussain and Masters of Percussion, including the Dancing Drummers of Manipur. Global tabla supremo Zakir Hussain is a major force in world music, and favourite accompanist for the greatest Indian classical musicians and dancers. His outstanding collaborations include Shakti, Remember Shakti, The Diga Rhythm Band, Planet Drum and Masters of Percussion. He led a unique group of percussion masters on a variety of colourful instruments along with the amazing Dancing Drummers of Manipur, renowned for their athletic dancing, drumming and martial arts.  Venue: Town Hall, Birmingham, 7.30pm  e-mail: info@sampad.org.uk

 

June 14 - July 2, 2008  Vyjayanthi Kashi toured US to spread her passion for Kuchipudi through performances and lecture demonstrations from 14th of June to 2nd July 2008.   futureofdance@hotmail.com  www.schoolofkuchipudi.com