 |
|
 |
|
2004
 |
In
memory of a sishya
By Aruna. S / Chennai
Review featured in kutcheribuzz.com
(News Round Up, November 19, 2004)
|
|
DID
YOU ALL GET A COPY OF THE NEW BOOK “ DHANANJAYAN ON INDIAN CLASSICAL
DANCE” published by B.R. Rhythm
Publications, New Delhi. If not, !! hurry, before it once again gets
sold out.
Email: info@brrhythms.com
Dhananjayan’s
next book (untitled yet) will soon hit the bookshops.
It is being Edited by TULSI BADRINATH a senior alumni of Bharatakalanjali
and writer in her own rights. Watch OUT!!!
|
|
Shanta
and myself visited Bhaaskara (College of Fine Arts, now managed by Heritage
India) for a week and we are happy to tell all our well wishers that the
activities in the campus are progressing very well. Though the number
of students are not in it’s full capacity, the quality of teaching is excellent
and both Bharatanaatyam and Carnatic music students have fared very well
in their respective subjects. Our senior disciple Smt.Vijayalaskhmi and
her husband Hemanth are handling the Bharatanaatyam & theory classes
excellently well and the students’ standard seems to be much higher than
in any existing institutions in the country.
Carnatic music
under Sri. Palakkad Ramanathan Bhagavatar has laid a solid foundation and
now Vidwan Sri Srihari (M.A Music from Chittur College) has joined
the faculty as residential teacher who would be able to guide the students
full time in the Gurukulam tradition.
Mridangam Vidwan
Sri. Krishna Kamath, a versatile artist with deep knowledge in Carnatic
Vocal music as well, guides both dance and music students.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan,
(Principal, Periyaram Medical College) a versatile musician, gives part
time Veena lessons.
Experts in
the respective subjects give students general education in English, Samskritam
and religious studies. The newly appointed Principal Sri. Vishnu Namboodiri
is a Professor of Economics.
With all these
faculties functioning round the clock, discerning students have the full
facility to imbibe and improve their chosen subject thoroughly.
During our
short stay in the campus we took classes and gave necessary corrections
to embellish the practical application to the students and the faculty
members. We hope to continue this practice very often.
We are happy
that, even in our absence things are moving quite satisfactorily, except
that Bhaaskara needs more number of students and inflow of income to maintain
the good standard.
Bhaaskara has
started Odissi classes by Shashikant Nayak -a prime disciple of Smt. Kumkum
Mohanthi (three girls and one boy are learning Odissi).
We found the
campus reverberating with music and rhythm. The regular evening Bhajan
adds a divine atmosphere to the campus life. Joining the human chorus are
the parrots, lovebirds, pigeons. The small lake created to conserve
rainwater is a sanctuary for many kinds of birds that visit to quench their
thirst and have a dip in the evening. The sun set is a beautiful sight
to enjoy.
Hope in due
course the students number will pick up and the future generation of aspiring
young artistes will find Bhaaskara college of Fine Arts the right place
to learn the arts with a Gurukulam atmosphere and ambiance.
|
|
The
Mudra Fest and Seminar was held for four days at Koothambalam, the
traditional theatre hall in Kerala. There were performances by reputed
artists of different dance disciplines and lecture demonstrations by senior
teachers and dancers.
Nandini
Ramani on the Qualitative lec-dem by V P Dhananjayan
"A very
neat, crisp presentation, rich in content and quality, was offered by the
renowned V. P. Dhananjayan on Choreography of Modern Themes in Bharatanatyam.
"Sareeram Aadyam Khalu Dharma Saadhanam," quoted the speaker, at the outset,
to emphasise that the goal of the individual body is to achieve the good
and the higher values of life. While speaking of the glory of Bharatanatyam
as that which can extend its territories, to adapt, and to adopt, he explained
the need for interpreting new themes in the same idiom. As part of the
demonstration, Dhananjayan presented a padam on traditional lines, composed
by Sujatha Vijayaragahavan ("Neelakantare Vaarum") wherein the dancer could
include contemporary ideas i to suit the content.
For the
well-known text of 'Jungle Book' of Rudyard Kipling, a video clipping of
Dhananjayan-Santha's choreography on traditional approach, was taken up
for illustration. Using different forms of Indian dance, with the focus
on Bharatanatyam, employing martial arts, and ballet all set to excellent
music by Pandit Vijayaragahva Rao and his ensemble of varied Indian instruments,
it came as a fitting finale to the lively lec-dem of Dhanajayan."
-
Nandini Ramani, The Hindu, October 8, 2004
|
|
Bharatanaatyam
dancer / Guru N.V. KRISHNAN Master (Founder Director, Bharatanjali, Payyanur
) one of the senior alumni of Bharatakalanjali has won the prestigious
Kerala kalamandaam Puraskaram (Fellowship) 2004. Hearty congratulations
to N.V.Krishnan and blessing from his Gurus, The Dhananjayans.
Krishnan
has trained a number of excellent Bharatanatyam dancers in Kerala, including
the famous actress Manju Warrier. Krishnan's students stood first in all
Kerala youth festivals and competitions. The standard of Bharatanatyam
in Kerala improved multifold after Krishnan came into the scene in Kerala.
He is a well respected artiste who has already been decorated by the Kerala
Sangeeta Nataka Academy a few years ago.
|
|
|
TIRUKKURAL
IN BHARATANAATYAM
by
Trio sisters KAVITHA, MEERA & ANJANA ( Pathmaraja sisters of
California)
The Dhananjayans
have visualized the immortal work of Tiruvalluvar and the premier
of this production will be held in Chennai some time in May/June
2005.
Prof.
D. Pasupathi (Kalakshetra) Retired Principal, Music College, Tiruppati
has very aptly set the music for this dance production and the audio
CD of this dance music will be released soon for the International market.
The Trio sisters wish to donate the proceeds from the CD sale and performances
to charitable organizations supporting the cause of children’s welfare.
For more details contact Dr. & Mrs. Pathmaraja email: pat42801@aol.com
or pathmame@gse.harvard.edu
|
|
 |
|
|