Shiva's dance is known as 'tandava'. Though Shiva is believed to have performed 108 types of tandava, Saivite literature gives details of only 64 dances, which the Lord is said to have performed at 64 different shrines. But it is commonly accepted that except for 7, all the other dances of Shiva are merely varying representations of the basic tandavas, namely Kalika, Gauri, Sandhya, Samhara, Tripura, Urdhva and Ananda. The first 6 of these tandavas elaborate the main aspects of Shiva, while the 7th, the Ananda Tandava, portrays all the manifold responsibilities of the Lord.
("Traditions of Indian Classical Dance" by Mohan Khokar, p 16/17)

Tallapaka Annamacharya (1408 - 1503) is the first known author of songs in Telugu. According to his grandson and biographer Chinnanna, he wrote about 32,000 of which about 12,000 are currently available. That he wrote the lyrics and the tune can be surmised by the fact that his songs inscribed on copper plates, mention the names of many ragas.
("The Padam & Javali in Telugu" by VAK Ranga Rao, page 14, Nartanam Nol II #4, Oct-Dec 2002)

Historians have traced an inscription from the Chebrolu of Krishna District in Andhra Pradesh dating back to 1139 A.D. The inscription records that some dancing girls were in services at the temple of Nageshvara right from the age of eight years old. ('Indian Classical Dance,' by Kapila Vatsyayan, chapter 'Kuchipudi').

Former union minister Ram Niwas Mirdha is new chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. On June 7, 2005, Sonal Mansingh was removed from her post by the government. Mirdha has served previously as Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi.

The Lights On series at Sathyam Cinemas, Chennai, presented the world premiere of Adoor Gopalakrishnan's film KALAMANDALAM RAMANKUTTY NAIR-A MAESTRO'S MEMOIR, on Wednesday June 8, 2005. The screening was followed by an interface with the director.


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