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Interviews,Articles, Reviews, Events, News

 

September 29 - October 12, 2008 Chennai  56TH YEAR NAVARATHRI GOLU invitation to the public   The Mylapore Trio of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation is organizing their 56th Year Navarathri Golu from Monday 29th September to Sunday 12th October, 2008, between 9am & 9pm, at their residence: New No. 5, Old No. 3, Third Trust Link Street, 1st Floor, Mandavelipakkam, Chennai 28 (Near Sub-Registrar Office & HDFC Bank - Santhome).   The Golu is spread in 5 rooms through the house in a very grand scale. This year’s theme is “Kalaiyum Kaivannamum - 64 Art Forms.” People are invited to visit their Golu with prior intimation - 9382698811 / 9381038385. All are Welcome.  e-mail: sri_srmf@yahoo.com / srimylaporetrio@gmail.com   For details: www.srimylaporetrio.in

 

September 30 - October 10, 2008 Bangalore  Shanthala Arts Academy Bangalore presents its annual DASARA MUSIC AND DANCE FESTIVAL from September 30th to October 7th 2008 and dolls (Kolu) arrangement till the 10th of October. Padmaje, the organizer has been arranging dolls every year for the last 35 years and the collection has grown in size annually. There will be more than 4000 dolls, some of which are more than 40 years old. The academy started organizing cultural events since 1995 and both the events attract more than 5000 people.   Music and dance concerts begin at 6.30pm every evening and the dolls arrangement is open throughout the day.   Admission is free to both the events. Donations are welcome.    For more details contact Padmaje Raghusutha or Pulikeshi Kasthuri at 080-23374758 or write to krv_pulikeshi@yahoo.com     Venue - Dolls (Kolu) arrangement: #7, Pulikeshi Road, I Main Yeshwanthpur (Behind Chinnappa Reddy Petrol Bunk), Bangalore 560022   Venue - Cultural program: Raja Rajeshwari School Auditorium, I Main, Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore 560022   Dasara Music and Dance Festival Schedule   Sept 30: Inauguration, 6pm   Chief Guests: Vimala Rangachar, Art Connoisseur, Dr. Ashwath Narayan, MLA. Malleswaram Constituency, MR Seetharam, Art Connoisseur, Neelathahalli Kasthuri, Secretary, Gandhi Sahitya Sangha, Malleswaram, M Srinivas, MLA. Rajarajeswari Nagar Constituency, S Muniraju, MLA. Dasarahalli Constituency  Presided by: Srivathsa Kalbagal, President, Shanthala Arts Academy  Carnatic Vocal-Nagavalli Nagaraj, Rajani & troupe  Oct. 1: Bharathanatyam - Students of Natyantharanga Karana, Dir: Shubha Dhananjay  Oct. 2: Talavadya Recital - Sukanya Ramagopal & troupe  Oct. 3:  Kuchipudi -Students of Natya Ninada, Dir: Dharani Kashyap  Oct. 4: Yakshagana (Veera Vrishasena) by Krishna Murthy Tunga & troupe  Oct. 5: Bharathanatyam – Senior students of Shantala Arts Academy, Dir: Pulikeshi Kasthuri  Oct. 6: Folk Songs & Vachanas, by Vidwan Venkatesh Babu & troupe, Bangalore  Oct. 7: Bhavageethegalu & Hindustani Vocal by Vidwan Kashinath Gavai Pattar & troupe  Program will begin every evening at 6.30 pm.  Mahamangalarathi and Prasada Distribution after Program  All are welcome.   www.sooryadance.com

 

October 1 - 11, 2008 Palakkad, Kerala  SWARALAYA DANCE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 2008    Oct 1, 2008  5.30pm: Inaugural ceremony  6.30pm: Ganamela, Sujatha Mohan, Unni Menon, Swetha Mohan, Nishad, Prathibha, Harshan  Oct 2, 2008  5.30pm: Carnatic vocal concert, by Sharreth, Music Director  8pm: Kuchipudi dance recital, by Uma Muralikrishna & Party  Oct 3, 2008  5.30pm: Carnatic vocal concert by T M Krishna  8pm: Kathak by Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, Sponsored by Sangeet Natak Akademi  Oct 4, 2008  5.30pm: Hindustani (Tumri) concert by Sagarika Pradhan  7pm: "Nilavinte Geetham" Dramatic Presentation, of Poem written by Prof: ONV directed by Pramod Payyannur   7.30pm: Bharatanatyam by Shobana and troupe.   Oct 5, 2008  5.30pm: Ganamela by Gandharva Sangeetham & Star Singer Singers, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Sainoj, Roopa, Krishnanunni, Malavika, Sreenath, Prasobh, Amrutha Jayakumar, Bharath Sajikumar, Adarsh   8pm: Mohiniattam Dance Recital, by M/S Nair Sisters, Bangalore  Oct 6, 2008   5.30pm: Carnatic vocal concert by Kavalam Sreekumar & Party  8pm: Odissi by Meera Das and troupe  Oct 7, 2008  5.30pm: Carnatic vocal concert by Trivandrum Krishnakumar & Binny Krishnakumar  8pm: Bharatanatyam by Priyadarsini Govind  Oct 8, 2008  5.30pm: Ganamela by Johnson Night, G Venugopal, Biju Narayan, Manjari, Sudeep Kumar, Aruna Mary George, Shilpa Raju, Johnson  8pm: Mohiniattam by Pallavi Krishnan  Oct 9, 2008  5.30pm: Violin concert by Athira Kotampally & Party  7.30pm: Bharatanatyam by CV Chandrasekhar  Oct 10, 2008  5.30pm: Carnatic vocal concert by P Unnikrishnan & Party  8pm: Bharatanatyam by Mythili Prakash  Oct 11, 2008  5pm: Valedictory Function  6pm: Carnatic vocal concert by Bombay Jayashree  8pm: Fusion music by Synergy Fusion Band, Chennai  Ph: (0491) - 2534962 /  +91 - 98477 20009  Contact: tr.ajayan@gmail.com

 

October 3 - November 12, 2008 USA, Canada  Dance historian, scholar, author, critic Dr. Sunil Kothari's itinerary for the month of October 2008  New York, USA  3rd Oct: Parul Shah's Kathak performance  Montreal - Canada  Arrive 4th Oct   5th till 10th Oct: Kala Bharati hosts - workshops etc  Ottawa - Canada  10th Oct: Dr Harsha Dehejia hosts dinner in honour of Raj Mohan Gandhi. Meeting with Raj Mohan Gandhi  11th Oct: Inauguration of Centre for Hindu Studies  Bharatanatyam recital by Rama Vaidyanathan at Museum of Civilization   Montreal - Canada  14th Oct: at Kala Bharati  New York, USA  15th Oct onwards for a week visiting Dance Collection, meetings with Asia Society Program Director  Los Angeles, CA  Arrive 24th Oct: Staying with Asha Puthli at Hollywood, Project India till 31st Oct.  New York, USA  6th Nov: Illustrated talk on 'Recent developments in South Asian Dance' - Hunter College at 7pm  New Delhi, India  Arrive 12th November  e-mail: sunilkothari1933@gmail.com   website: www.sunilkothari.com

 

October 4 - 7, 2008 Delhi  Santnu Chakraborty and troupe perform DURGE-DURGE for Navaratri celebrations.    4th Oct: Maha Panchami - Shri Adhya Shakti Pitham: 7.30 - 9pm  5th Oct: Maha Shashti - Vasanthkunj Durga puja celebration : 9 - 10pm  7th Oct: Maha Ashtami - Maha Maya Saket Durga Puja celebration, 9.45 - 10-15pm  e-mail: santnu_shiva@yahoo.com

 

October 5 - 7, 2008  St. Paul, MN  Katha Dance Theatre and the Ordway Center for Performing Arts present SUNDHARI AUR NAG - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST  October 5th at 7pm, 6th and 7th at 10am, 2pm (Oct 5th open to the public, 6th,7th school performances). Katha Dance Theatre performs their rich, beautiful retelling of Beauty and the Beast with an Asian-Indian flair. Known for their performances range, from traditional to cutting-edge, from musical to percussive, Katha always bring their audience on a journey. Sundhari Aur Nag is an authentic dance experience like no other, with sets painted in India, live musicians on stage, and narration in three languages.  Email: info@kathadance.org  Website: www.kathadance.org  To purchase tickets: http://www.ordway.org/planetordway/0809/kathadance.asp

 

October 6 & 7, 2008 Bangalore  Oct 6: Bengali Association (Assyae Road) Bangalore presents a Kathakali performance by Probal Gupta, senior disciple of Late Kalamandalam Govindan Kutty and Guru Fact Padmanabhan as a part of their Durga Puja celebrations.  Venue - RBANMS School ground, near Ulsoor lake, 9pm  Oct 7: Sri Vinayaka Samkrithika Samithi Trust organises an evening of Kathakali recital by Probal Gupta as a part of Navaratri Festival at 7pm   Venue: # 312 8 E Main, I Block, Kalyan Nagar, (Hennur Banaswadi), Bangalore 560043 Ph (080) - 5453993  Both the programs are open to all.  e-mail: probs_gupta12@yahoo.co.in

 

Ocotber 6, 7 and 8, 2008 Pune    Parimal Phadke and troupe present KALEIDOSCOPE - An Ode to the Past, Present and Future of Dance, for Durga Puja @ Congress Bhawan (Oct 6th), Vishrantvadi (October 7th) and Mhatre Bridge (Oct 8th) (http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=i8t40mw3NxE)  e-mail: parimalphadke@gmail.com / www.parimalphadke.com

 

October 7, 2008 Bangalore  Sharmila Mukerjee and Suman Sarawgi will be presenting TRADITIONS OF THE EAST (Odissi and Manipuri) at Munireddy Kalyana Mandapa, Koramangala as part of the Durga Puja celebrations at 7.30pm  e-mail: sanjali.odissi@gamail.com / www.sharmilamukherjee.com

 

October 7 & 17, 2008 Cheltenham & Stirling, UK  FAULTINE / EXIT NO EXIT by Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company  Shobana Jeyasingh has captivated audiences for twenty years with her dynamic and fearless choreography, mixing contemporary and classical forms of dance.   In Faultline, the dancers resonate with the survival instinct of the young in today's fast-paced, urban Brtain. Film footage by Pete Gomes epitomises the anxiety and energy of the street; whilst haunting, atmospheric music features an electro-score by Scanner, overlaid with vocals by Errolyn Wallen sung live by soprano, Patricia Rosario.   In Exit No Exit, Michael Nyman's music propels six dancers effortlessly on and off the stage. In the centre, a soloist remains trapped. The anticipation of entrances and the impossibility of exits are coloured by the shifting patterns creeping across the stage  Oct 7 at: Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ  Oct 17 at: Macrobert, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, 8pm

 

October 8, 2008 Pune    Parimal Phadke performs for the Commonwealth Games on behalf of Lalit Kala Kendra. The event is at the University of Pune, Main Building Grounds.  (http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=J0pwKz8NQUM)   e-mail: parimalphadke@gmail.com / www.parimalphadke.com

 

October 9 - 29, 2008 UK  Nina Rajarani presents her company Srishti in PLAY BALL, a fast moving, entertaining triple bill of short pieces from a male-dominated cast. Play Ball is about British ‘lads’ culture’; exploring what the lads do when at work, at play and in love and how they love to show off!  9th Oct: Contact Theatre, Manchester   15th Oct: Arts Depot, London   16th Oct: The Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury   18th Oct: Greenford Assembly Hall presented by MCOSA UK   29th Oct: The Dearne Playhouse, Rotherham (part of All Barnsley Diversity Festival 08)   e-mail: ninarajarani@srishti.co.uk

 

October 10, 2008 Mumbai  Samskara Academy of Fine Arts and Mind Temple present DHHI - MIND AND MOVEMENT, a collaborative dance production that will be premiered on October 10, 2008 by Bharatanatyam dancer Namita Bodaji and psychiatrist Dr. Anjali Chhabria.  Renowned psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chhabria of Mind Temple and Bharatanatyam dancer Namita Bodaji of Samskara Academy of Fine Arts will collaborate to produce ‘DHHI’- Mind and Movement - a dance production that will translate the workings of the mind through dance, especially in the Indian context. The style of dance will be purely Bharatanatyam. The different pieces danced will be taken from sources like sacred scriptures and mythology. Social issues that concern modern India, evils prevalent in the society today will also be touched upon through brilliant composition of musical pieces.  Dr. Anjali will address the audience with scripted dialogues which will then be danced by the dancers of Samskara Academy of Fine Arts and Namita Bodaji.  The concept of this production is to create an awareness amongst people in the subject of mental health through an artistic medium - dance.  At: Manik Sabhagriha, Opposite Lilavati hospital, Bandra (West), Mumbai 400049, at 7pm  e-mail: namita64@hotmail.com / www.namitabodaji.com

 

October 10, 2008 Mumbai    Vasumathi Badrinathan presents Jugalbandhi concert, SWAR SAMVAD or Dialogue of Notes with the well known Hindustani musician Vrinda Mundkur. This is an innovative & collaborative work, showcasing Carnatic music and Hindustani music on a joint platform.   Venue: Little Theater, NCPA, Nariman Point, at 6:30 pm  Organiser: ICCR & NCPA  Entry: Free, (first-cum-first basis). Passes can be obtained from ICCR  e-mail: vasu@vasumathi.net

 

October 10 - 12, 2008 Canada  Rama Vaidyanathan performs in Canada.   - 10 Oct: Sampradaya presents Rama Vaidyanathan in Kalangan series, World of South Asian Arts. 62 Orchard Park Blvd, Toronto ON M4L 3E2. Tel/Fax: +416-361-9447   - 11 Oct: Ottawa, Canada. 'Shringara Trayi' Dance production in collaboration with noted art historian, Dr. Harsha Dehejia and music by G S Rajan. Premiere show.   Venue: Canadian Museum of civilization. Presented by Carleton University on the occasion of the inauguration of Centre for Hindu studies.   - 12 Oct: Calgary, Canada  e-mail: ramaconcerts@yahoo.com

 

September 18 - October 11, 2008 UK  Angika are a leading British Indian dance company and their work is committed to regenerating the rich vocabulary of classical Bharatanatyam dance with a contemporary approach. To celebrate their 10th year Angika present CYPHER, a new work performed by a company of 6 female Bharatanatyam dancers who will use their voices to create a vocal soundscape of traditional Sanskrit slokas (hymns). Cypher explores the multi-layered relationship between Bharatanatyam, mathematics, geometry and the idea of codes or cyphers - languages with hidden meanings. Cypher will be performed as a double bill with the critically acclaimed ETHER, featuring an original music composition by the New Delhi based, MTV award-winning composers Midival PunditZ.  18th Sept: New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth / 023 9264 9000  20th Sept: The Hat Factory, Luton / 01582 878 100  22nd Sept: Tacchi Morris Arts Centre, Taunton / 01823 414 141  23rd Sept: Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham / 0115 846 7777  24th Sept: Croydon Clocktower / 020 8253 1030  26th Sept: Corn Exchange, Brighton / 01273 709 709  3rd Oct: Farnham Maltings / 01252 745 444  6th Oct: Thameside Theatre, Grays / 0845 300 5264  9th Oct: Dance City, Newcastle / 0191 261 0505  11th Oct: Merlin Theatre, Frome / 01373 465 949

 

October 11, 2008 Nottingham, UK  Kathakali by Kala Chethena Kathakali Company  Kathakali is the classical dance drama of Kerala, South West India which features exceptionally skilled actors, musicians, spectacular costumes, dramatic make-up and amazing sets. The Kala Chethana Kathakali Company of top international artists from Kerela, have captivated audiences throughout the UK for over two decades and have brought Kathakali to thousands of people.   Pre-show activity in Performing Arts Workspace: Come and watch the elaborate make-up being carefully applied before the show. Entrance free, from 2-7pm   At: Djangoly Theatre, Lakeside Arts Centre, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, 8pm.

 

October 11, 2008 Durban, South Africa    Natya Kala Performing Arts presents Manesh Maharaj & Verushka Pather in POETRY IN MOTION at the Playhouse Opera, at 7.30pm. It includes a holistic presentation of Art - from Dance, to Music, to Poetry and Visual Artwork representing Poetry in Motion.

 

October 11, 2008. Los Angeles, CA  Rangoli Dance Company presents SPLENDOR OF INDIAN DANCE featuring Bharatanatyam and folk dances as a part of the grand opening celebrations of the  Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles. The dance performance pays homage to sage Patanjali and Lord Shiva.  Artistic Direction - Malathi Iyengar & Lakshmi Iyengar, Set Design - Suresh Iyengar  Costume Design - Lakshmi Iyengar  At” Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles, 1835 South La Cienega Blvd, 4pm   Contact: 310-558-8212 / institute@iyila.org / www.iyila.org   e-mail: malathisiyengar@gmail.com / www.rangoli.org

 

October 11, 2008 Maui, HI    Sarala Dance presents an evening of Kathak dance and North Indian music by Bageshree Vaze (Dance) and Vineet Vyas (Tabla)  At: 7pm @ The Studio Maui, HI  e-mail: saraladance@yahoo.com / www.saraladance.com

 

October 11 & 12, 2008 Montpellier, France  RENCONTRES DE LA DANSE INDIENNE from 11th to 12th October 2008 in Montpellier, south of France.  Workshops, lectures, performances, creations, exhibition...   Artists (South of France, Paris, India): Isabelle Anna, Armelle Choquard, Padmini Devi, Soraya Franco, Tara Michael, Gali, Magali Lo Pinto...  Guest Lecturer: Katia Légeret / Manochhaya  This is to encourage interaction between performers, dance lovers and diffusion circuits in France and Europe.  Contact: 06 09 04 45 99  For more information: leelafestival@gmail.com / leelafestival.free.fr

 

October 11 & 26, 2008 Seattle & Maple Grove (MN)  Program schedule for veena artiste Nirmala Rajasekar.   Oct 11:  2:30 pm Ragamala Utsav, Seattle Washington  Oct 26: 4 pm NAADA SANGAM - Carnatic Instrumental concert  - with Nirmala Rajasekar (veena), Sikkil Mala Chandrasekar (Flute),  Mullaivasal Chandramouli (violin) Tanjore Murugaboopathy (Mridangam), Balaji Chandran (Ghatam), Sriram Natarajan (Khanjira), Nath Auditorium, Hindu Temple, Maple Grove, MN  www.nirmalarajasekar.com

 

October 12, 2008 Müllheim, Germany    Keshava, Anjali and Sumitra present Classical and Folk dances of India  Stadthalle, Müllheim, Germany, 2pm  Info: keshava@kalasri.com / www.kalasri.com

 

October 12, 2008 Lemont, IL  Natya Dance Theatre School Annual Day, 4pm  Disciples from the School perform selected works.  At: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, 10915 Lemont Rd, Lemont, IL 60439, Free  e-mail: bill@natya.com / www.natya.com

 

October 12, 2008 Chennai  The “Mylapore Trio” & the members of  Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation present the 33rd KALA POSHAKAM and the Prize Distribution of the 2nd Year Golu Contest conducted by the Foundation. Prizes sponsored by Smart Creations.   Chief Guest - “Sakala Kala Valli” Revathy Sankkaran.   The performers are:   - Lakshitha Saravanan - Bharatanatyam (Disciple of S Srilatha)   - J Madhumathi Thanga Annam - Mohiniattam (Disciple of Gopika Varma)   - Nivedha Parthasarathy - Carnatic Music (Disciple of Saroja Balasubramaniyam)   - M Swamali Priya & M Aparna Priya - Carnatic Music Duet (Disciples of Saroja Balasubramaniyam)   At Narada Gana Sabha, Mini Hall, T.T.K. Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 18, 5.30pm   All are welcome in Traditional Attire.   All are requested to kindly present themselves only in TRADITIONAL ATTIRE   (Dress code of the Foundation)   e-mail: sri_srmf@yahoo.com / srimylaporetrio@gmail.com   For details: www.srimylaporetrio.in

 

October 13 & 14, 2008 New Delhi  Rahul Acharya performs as part of Nrutyayan’s UTKAL DARPANA, the face of Utkal, an Odissi choreography for the ANANYA DANCE FESTIVAL at Purana Quila on 13th October. A lecture demonstration has also been organized by SEHER, the organizers of the Ananya Festival, on 14th October at Alliance Francaise, at 10.30am.  Contact Rahul Acharya: rahul_acharya@rediffmail.com / www.jagannatha.net

 

October 15, 2008 Birmingham, UK  Sampad presents theatre show THE MAHARAJAH AND THE KOHINOOR by artists from ZeroCulture, a touching tale of love and loyalty charting one of the most illustrious periods in British history.  Charting one of the most illustrious episodes in British history, The Maharajah and the Kohinoor follows the story of Duleep Singh, Maharajah of Lahore and King of the Sikh Empire, who was deposed by the British at the age of eleven and sent to England. Separated from his mother, Duleep Singh arrived on the shores of England and immediately became a court favorite of Queen Victoria. Encouraged by Her Majesty, he established solid relationships with the Royal Family over the years. However, injustices and insincere intentions eventually drove him into the arms of exploitative meddlers who offered allegiance but left him isolated. The ex-Maharajah lost his most prized possession - The Kohinoor, the world’s largest diamond - which was taken from him to be included in the Crown Jewels. He tragically died penniless and alone in a desolate Parisian hotel in 1893.  The Maharajah and The Kohinoor is directed by acclaimed director, producer and actor Harmage Singh Kalirai.  The performance is accompanied by a workshop and discussion for young people as part of Black History Month.  Time: Schools matinee 1pm / Evening performance 7.30pm  Venue: The Drum, Birmingham   e-mail: lisa@sampad.org.uk

 

October 15, 2008 London  A SACRED THREAD by Sujata Banerjee Dance Company.  This innovative dance theatre work uses the multi-layered fabric of Kathak, narrative and original music to retell the story of an extraordinary woman from the 18th century who made an enormous impact in society. Through the powerful medium of dance, drama and music the programme explores current issues concerning women and gender equality, children and human rights, and environment and sustainability. The program is directed by the renowned theatre personality Nona Shepphard and uses special compositions of Pandit Birju Maharaj.   At: Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre, London SE1, 8pm.

 

October 15 - 30, 2008 Italy    Vyjayanthi Kashi, a dynamic force in Kuchipudi, will be in Italy for 2 weeks.  Contact for Performance, Workshop, Lec-demonstration.  e-mail: futureofdance@hotmail.com / www.schoolofkuchipudi.com

 

October 16, 2008 Basel, Switzerland    Indian evening, by dancer family - Keshava, Anjali and Sumitra are invited to give an Indian dance program at the Bedsta Hospital, 8pm  Info: keshava@kalasri.com / www.kalasri.com

 

October 16 & 20, 2008 Orissa, Dehra Dun  16th Oct: Odissi program by Ileana Citaristi and group for the opening of DHENKANAL MAHOTSAV, Orissa  20th Oct: Odissi program by Art Vision for VIRASAT FESTIVAL, Dhera Dun  e-mail: ileana5@hotmail.com

 

October, 17, 2008 Tamarac, Florida  Elegant School of Modern dance presents A BHARATA NATYAM OFFERING, performance by Jaan R Freeman (Disciple of Nandini Ramani & Priyamvada Sankar,  Senior disciples of T Balasaraswati)  On Friday, October, 17, 2008 at 7pm  Elegant School of Modern Dance, (Tamarac Market Place) 10022 West McNab Road, Tamarac Florida 33321  General Admission: $12/ Children under 10 & seniors $ 6 (with valid ID)  Reservations Recommended: (954) 722-2828 email:elegantschoolofmoderndance@yahoo.com    ** Limited Seating/bring your favorite cushion or pillow**  This program is the dancer’s offering, following the week of the auspicious DEVI NAVARATRI (9 nights dedicated to the Goddess) according to Hinduism. Freeman will perform items of the Bharata natyam repertoire, featuring dances honoring the Divine Mother.  This program is sponsored in part by Dakshina Palli, Inc/NYC   www.dakshinapalli.org

 

October 17, 2008 San Diego, CA  Bharatanatyam performance of Puja Allepalli at Shiva Vishnu Temple of San Diego from 7.15 to 8.15pm. Puja is one of the very few exponents of Bharatanatyam who is proficient in both the Vazhuvoor and Kalakshetra styles, two complete opposite banis of Bharatanatyam.  She has dared to make this journey across two different lands which   make her dance complete. She derives the subtle abhinaya which is ‘Lokadharmi’ from Vazhuvoor style and brisk nritta from the Kalakshetra style.  Admission is free.   For further info: Pt. Muralidharan or Pt. Srikanta Shastri - 858-549-3940  e-mail: shivanjalidance@yahoo.com

 

October 17 - 25, 2008 UK  Nrityakunj presents a unique duet of Odissi based on the navarasas titled MUKUT-THE CROWN OF THE RASAS, performed by acclaimed Odissi exponents, Mitali Dev and Enakshi Das Sinha. Both trained under the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, and display the timeless rhythmic intricacies of Odissi marked by soft, graceful and flowing movements that reflect the divine sculptural motifs of the temples of Orissa.   Oct 17: Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 8pm  Oct 18: Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, 7pm  Oct 19: Highfield Humanities College, Blackpool, 7pm   Oct 24: St. Georges Hall, Liverpool, 7pm  Oct 25: The Lowry, Salford Quays, 7.30pm  e-mail: gopalighosh@aol.com

 

October 18, 2008 New Delhi    Rama Vaidyanathan presents KALINDHI KATHA - Yamuna tells a story.  To be premiered in IIC EXPERIENCE FESTIVAL. Music is by GS Rajan.  e-mail: ramaconcerts@yahoo.com

 

October 18, 2008 Wolverhampton, UK  Sampad presents an Odissi dance program by Mitali Dev and Enakshi Das Sinha  Venue: Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, 7pm   e-mail: lisa@sampad.org.uk

 

October 18, 2008  Irvine, CA  Exclusive presentation by Ektaa Center at the Barclay  RHYTHMS OF INDIA featuring Abhijit Banerjee and the Tarang Ensemble with guest artistes Kenny Endo (Taiko Drums) and Paul Livingstone (Sitar).  For tickets call (949) 854-4646 or buy online at www.thebarclay.org or call TicketMaster at (714) 740-7878 Buy online at www.ticketmaster.com  Call (949) 300-8912 for details.   e-mail: info@ektaacenter.org / www.ektaacenter.org

 

October 18, 2008 Ann Arbor, MI  Sreyashi Dey and Srishti Dances of India present ODISSI MANDALA, a breathtaking confluence of three seminal styles of Odissi dance  Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, 7pm  Artists: Sreyashi Dey, Ishika and Kritika Rajan, Leena Mohanty, Sadhyadipa Kar  Three well known Odissi dancers come together to present an evening of breathtaking Odissi dance. Representing renowned Gurus of Odissi, the dancers (with their ensembles) will present unique choreographies that will highlight the special features of each style, passed on to them by their Gurus.  This performance will provide a glimpse of the rich heritage of Odissi dance, its numerous variations and sublime beauty. The established dancers, joined by the young, talented and upcoming dancers will make it a memorable evening of dance – dynamic, dazzling, sculptural, sensual and spiritual.  For tickets and information, call 734-769-4917  e-mail: sreyashi@earthlink.net

 

October 19, 2008 Chennai  For the final day of the 25th year celebrations of dance and music magazine Sruti, Anita Ratnam and Revathy Sankkaran present POORANII - THE DIVINE FEMININE with songs by Subhiksha Rangarajan, Ganjira by BS Purushottaman, Nattuvangam and Konnakkol by L Subhasri, Music Arrangement and Direction by Anil Srinivasan  At: Alapana house on JJ Road, the location that Sruti started, at 6pm  e-mail: arangham@gmail.com / www.arangham.com

 

October 19, 2008 Lemont, IL  Natya Dance Theatre School perform excerpts from the epic RAMAYANA. Original choreography by Hema and Krithika Rajagopalan.   At: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Sama Rathi Auditorium, 10915 Lemont Rd,  Lemont, IL 60439, 3pm - Free  e-mail: bill@natya.com / www.natya.com

 

October 19, 2008 Erlangen, Germany  Post Natyam Collective member Sandra Chatterjee will perform at INDIA FEST 08  E-Werk, Fuchsenwiese 1, 91054 Erlangen, 5pm onwards  www.e-werk.de  e-mail: post.natyam@gmail.com / www.postnatyam.net

 

September 6 - October 20, 2008 London  IN - I, by Juliette Binoche and Akram Khan with visual design by Anish Kapoor and music composition by Philip Sheppard.    If the Greeks had 14 words to describe different ways of loving, how many dare we experience? A major new work of dance theatre created by one of the world’s leading dancer/choreographers, Akram Khan, and actress Juliette Binoche. Throughout their careers, Binoche and Khan have both sought out surprising and daring collaborations. Akram Khan has always taken an inter-disciplinary approach to dance and his collaborators have included Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Antony Gormley and Nitin Sawhney (zero degrees), Sylvie Guillem (Sacred Monsters) and Hanif Kureishi. Similarly, Juliette Binoche has made artistically challenging choices with directors such as Michael Haneke (Hidden) and Louis Malle (David Hare’s screenplay Damage), and has starred in award-winning films including The English Patient and Chocolat.   Creating the environment for the duet is Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor.   IN-I is a unique collaboration between three of today’s most exciting artists.   Co-produced by Fondation d'entreprise Hermès, National Theatre, London, Theatre de la Ville, Paris, Grand Theatre de Luxembourg,Romaeuropa Festival, Rome, La Monnaie, Brussels, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Curve, Leicester   In repertory from 6th September to 20 October.   At: National Theatre, Southbank, London SE1 9PX  www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ini

 

October 22, 2008 Birmingham, UK  Sampad presents DIWALI SABHA, its popular monthly showcase for local and emerging talent for the first time at The Drum, Birmingham, 7pm  e-mail: lisa@sampad.org.uk

 

October 22, 2008 Surrey, UK  Sonia Sabri Company presents PARALLELS an evening of contemporary and classical Kathak with live music - a lyrical dance journey…from contemporary to classical, and East to West. Featuring evocative live music from an ensemble of musicians on sitar, harmonium, and vocal, with the internationally renowned maestro Ustad Sarvar Sabri on tabla, Parallels offers a beautifully intimate crafting of dance and live music, which will appeal to both music and dance enthusiasts. Sonia Sabri is acclaimed as one of the brightest and most versatile British born dancer-choreographers of today and her innovation within her form was recently recognised on the contemporary dance scene with her commission for The Place Prize. Parallels, a solo mixed bill of contemporary and classical dance showcases the range of Sonia’s work; the first half comprises three new contemporary Kathak solos; and the second presents the best of classical Kathak, highlighting the origins and context of the earlier contemporary explorations  At: PATS Dance Studio, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, 7 to 9.30pm

 

October 22, 2008 Münchenstein, Switzerland  A colourful Indian dance program by the children dance group Kalasri  Altersheim Hofmatt, 2pm  Info: keshava@kalasri.com / www.kalasri.com

 

October 24, 2008 NYC    Sanskriti Center announces Diwali Celebrations with a performance of RAMAYANA.    Bharatanatyam and Kathak performances by Sanskriti ensemble and students  Henna | Crafts | DJ | Dancing | Band | Dinner | Cards  Location: Pratt Mansion, (58 E 68th Street), 6.30pm to 11pm     Tickets are $75 (adults) and $50 (children under 12).     For more information please email buntysaw@aol.com or swatidance@verizon.net   www.sanskriticenter.org

 

October 24, 2008 Tokyo  SC Festa FESTIVAL OF INDIAN DANCE & MUSIC features: Meena - Odissi Dance, Gyanendra Bajpai & Troupe - Bharatanatyam, Atsuko Maeda - Kathak, Sushma Komata - Sitar, Kenji Sakagawa - Tabla  Time: 13:20 -15:30 hrs.  Venue: Nogata Kumin Hall (Nokata WIZ), 5-3-1 Nokata, Nakano-ku, Tokyo.  For reservation, mail to Kazumi san at: yuki-t-run@sjc.ne.jp

 

October 25, 2008 Philadelphia, PA    Eswary Sriram, director of Natyabhakti School of Performing Arts, presents an evening of Bharatanatyam  Time: 7pm  Venue: Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19104   e-mail: eswarysriram2004@yahoo.com

 

October 26, 2008 New Delhi    Anita Ratnam performs FACES...blessed unrest, as part of Raja and Radha Reddy's PARAMPARA festival.  At: Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi  e-mail: arangham@gmail.com / www.arangham.com

 

October 26, 2008 Washington DC  Mallika Sarabhai, one of the most renowned Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancers in India today, will present her dance-theater adaptation of IN SEARCH OF THE GODDESS.  The work looks at how women are stereotyped into Goddesses or minions and easily stereotyped out of equal roles in society.  In this work, Sarabhai portrays the in-between places that women occupy and presents a Goddess who is equally human and divine.  The highlight of the work is Sarabhai’s closing signature of Chitra Natyam, where she paints a figure with her feet while maintaining a complicated rhythm in a dynamic movement sequence.  Like the Dhananjayans, Sarabhai has won India’s highest dance accolades, while also laying claim to prestigious awards in France, including the L'Etoile D'Or for best solo artist.  In recognition of Sarabhai’s efforts to promote social justice through the arts, she was recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the 1,000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize campaign.   At: The Lincoln Theater. 1215 U Street, NW Washington DC 20009, 4pm.   e-mail: minakshi@dakshina.org

 

October 26, 2008 Pittsburgh, PA    Sri Venkateswara Temple (Pittsburgh, PA) presents SAMHITA, conversations in Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam. Meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to collect’ in Sanskrit, Samhita is an artistic collaboration in two of India’s many classical dance forms, which are woven in a rich presentation of South India’s cultural expression by Vijay Palaparty and Nalini Prakash  At Sri Venkateswara Temple, South McCully Drive, Penn Hills, PA, 3pm  Free Admission  For program information, email vijay.palaparty@gmail.com   For venue information, visit www.svtemple.org or call 412 373 3380

 

October 29 - 31, 2008 London  A MIND’S JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF DESTINY: Manipuri dance by Anwesha Ahmed. The dance explores the creative genius and the conflicting urges that drive an artist. Tradition, self-doubt and wavering courage rein in the artist from full expression of creativity. Improvised from classical north-east Indian Manipuri dance, the performers express the ‘feminine’ and flexible as much as the ‘masculine’ and rigid forces acting upon an individual. Originally from Bangladesh and now settled in London, Anwesha Ahmed’s production resonates beyond the uncertainties of a person moving from a valued but traditional society into a more liberal but alien one, commenting on the self-belief and insecurities lying beneath the artistic impulse. Anwesha Dance Company was established to evolve new choreography from the Manipuri tradition and to bring Manipuri dance to wider notice in the UK and internationally.   At: Blue Elephant Theatre, 59a Bethwin Rd, Camberwell (entrance on Thompson Ave) London SE5 0XT , 8pm.

 

October 31, 2008 Jakarta, Indonesia  Post Natyam Collective member Cynthia Lee's new collaboration with West Sumatran choreographer, Ery Mefri, on his company, Nan Jombang will be performed as part of the INDONESIAN DANCE FESTIVAL   At Jakarta Arts Centre (Taman Ismail Marzuki)  e-mail: post.natyam@gmail.com / www.postnatyam.net

 

September 27 - November 26, 2008 Belgium & UK  OCKHAM'S RAZOR is an award winning aerial theatre company who combine circus, dance and visual theatre to make work that is arresting and entertaining. They specialise in creating physical theatre on original pieces of aerial equipment and create stories from the vulnerability, trust and reliance that exists between people in the air.  Fast acquiring a reputation as one of the UK's most talented and innovative performance companies, Ockham's Razor embark on their first full scale UK tour performing a triple bill of Arc, Memento Mori & Every Action...  27th Sept: Gemeente Overpelt, Belgium   30th Sept: Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham - 0115 846 7777  1st & 2nd Oct: The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton - 023 8067 1771  10th Oct: Playbox Theatre, Warwick - 01926 419 555  27th Oct: Mumford Theatre, Cambridge - 0845 196 2320  28th Oct: Castle Theatre, Wellingborough - 01933 270 007  29th & 30th Oct: The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich - 01473 295 900  6th & 7th Nov: Stratford Circus, London - 020 8279 1015  26th Nov: Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield - 01484 430 528  e-mail: shaun@turtlekeyarts.org.uk