Flash from the past

A page dedicated to the pictures that ignite the wonderful memories...!

"Avinash Pasricha sent these photos of Kalyani Kutty Amma....Thanks Avinash" (Sri Sunil Kothari).

In frame : Pathmashri Sunil Kothari, Mohiniyattam exponents Kalamandalam Kalyanikkutti Amma and Pathmashri Kalamandalam Sathyabhama

"Pandit Kishan Maharaj, it is indeed sorrel for me to think that he is no more. My association with him goes back five decades from our first concert together in Varanasi in 1963. He was a dear friend to me and a Tabla player with whom I have shared some of the most memorable concerts on my life especially when I was in my twenties. He was the last remaining Tabla player who had performed not just with Amaan, Ayaan and I but also with my father Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan. Three generations of my family! I miss him no end and the time and years that I have spent with him with remain in my heart for eternity". - PathmaVibhushan Usthad Amjad Ali Khan

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'Namami Shankaram' : A Predestined Hymn in the Soul’s Journey

A girl whose thoughts were filled with classical dance, when grown up, married into the royal family of Maharaja Sri Swathi Thirunal—whose contributions to Mohiniyattam are priceless, and whose lifetime is considered the golden era of Mohiniyattam. She considers it as a blessing. Now, years later, she has again been handpicked by the Almighty to portray the life of Adi Shankaracharya through dance. In this conversation with Gopika Varma, PSB Nambiar Sooryavamsham explores the inspiration, research, and process behind ‘Namami Shankaram’, a Mohiniyattam portrayal of Adi Shankaracharya’s life. A dancer often senses a spark for a new choreography. Can you tell us how ‘Namami Shankaram’ first took shape in your mind? I was invited to perform for Adi Shankara Jayanthi in Indore in March 2017. I was confused about what to perform. One day, I went to my friend Krithika Subramanian’s house for dinner. Her mother-in-law was reading a commentary on Adi Shankaracharya. I asked her f...

A New Dawn for Mohiniyattam : Smt. Pallavi Krishnan's Lasya Akademi to Open in Kolkata

M ohiniyattam enthusiasts in Kolkata have reason to celebrate as renowned dancer and choreographer Pallavi Krishnan is set to inaugurate the Lasya Akademi of Mohiniyattam in her hometown. This new institution promises to be a beacon for the art form, offering a platform for dance lovers to immerse themselves in the nuances of this classical dance. With Pallavi's dedication to preserving the traditions of Mohiniyattam while bringing in new ideas, this academy is set to become an important cultural center in the city. Pallavi Krishnan is a celebrated Mohiniyattam performer, choreographer, and teacher with a career marked by artistic excellence and global impact. Trained under eminent gurus at Kerala Kalamandalam and Santiniketan, she has mastered the delicate balance of tradition and innovation, making her performances both deeply rooted and uniquely expressive. Her dedication to the art form has earned her numerous accolades...

Executive Music Therapy Health Check up for the Wandering Monk! - Margazhi 2018

H aving come from Delhi to Chennai Margazhi, i decided to do an executive music therapy and consulted different 'resident doctors', specialists, super specialists etc located in different Sabhas. My music therapy began at Krishna Gana Sabha on 24th December with 'a detailed examination' by Pandit Ronu Majumdar who is arguably the best Lungs and Breath specialist. He decided immediately on 'checking' me that i should first be de-toxicated as I have come from a highly polluted Delhi. He breathed melody of his magic flute for two hours and i felt as if i am surrounded by Air Purifier. At the end of the session he gave me a hug to certify that i am purified. My next visit was to Partha Sarathy Swami Sabha where a Fulbright ( fully bright ) GP by name Sikkil Gurucharan took me right under his nose . I was seated by him in the front row and the session of 150 minutes was rejuvenating. He also took help from a very senior Consul...

Bhoomi Pranam on the world environment day

F or Bharatham, artforms are not a medium for entertainment, but the way for enlightenment. Spiritual essence remains the soul of the sub-continent since time immemorial. Classical dance-forms are not different too and the repertoires begin with the 'Bhoomi Pranaam' , taking the permission and blessing from the Mother Earth. On this World Environment day, Smt. Sharmila Mukerjee, Founder Director of Sanjali Centre for Odissi Dance-Bengaluru, and her disciples celebrated it with a Bhumi-pranaam, but this time off the stage. With the theme - 'Beat Plastic Pollution', they were busy with up-cycling the old dance sarees to reusable carry bags. "We're saying No to single use plastic and taking a step towards better environment. Let's be the change we want to see!", they said. Get updated! Visit and Like our fb page at : www.facebook.com/wocue Renowned Carnatic Musician Pathmabhooshan Sudha Raghunathan gave a message through a video titled 'Amrut...

Soorya fest - 'Parampara' series

P arampara series of performances in Soorya fest 2018 this year will be conducted from Nov 1 to 10 at Thiruananthapuram, Keralam. The venue of performance will be Ganesham and will begin at 6.45 PM on all days. 1 Nov - Dakshina Vaidayanathan ( Bharatanatyam ) 2 Nov - Pratiksha Kashi ( Kuchipudi ) 3 Nov - Sreelakshmi Govardhan ( Kuchipudi ) 4 Nov - Divya Unni ( Bharatanatyam ) 5 Nov - Abhayalakshmi ( Odissi ) 6 Nov - Reddy Lakshmi ( Kuchipudi ) 7 Nov - Deepti Gupta ( Kathak ) 8 Nov - Shweta Prachande ( Bharatanatyam ) 9 Nov - Lavanya Ananth ( Bharatanatyam ) 10 Nov - Uthara Unni ( Bharatanatyam ) Time : 6.45 PM - all the above performances. November 1 to 10 Workshop on Dance by Guru Bragha Bassal Hamee 11-Inch Tabcase Tan Brown Leather Tablet Case / Sleeve / Pouch for Toshiba ...

Cascade of Divine Music - Sri. Sakethraman at Marghazi

I have always nursed a dream of attending a live concert of young and prodigiously talented Saketharaman the Carnatic Vocal * on the horizon. There is something about Saketh that leaves you craving for more and you submit an urgent wish list looking yonder at sky and a prayer in your lips to soon grant you the wish of next concert. He has a knack of disproving that there is satiation as your greed and appetite increases multifold and Eh Dil Mange More. Saketh lit the auditorium with cascaded divine Carnatic music and it was music for the souls as evidenced by earth quake of applause repeatedly at every subtle nuances he scaled effortlessly. The repertoire : Palayasumam – Arabhi Sundaratara deham – Pantuvarali Amba Neelambari – Neelambari VaraNarada – VijayaSri Marakathavalli – Kambhoji Ragam Tanam Pallavi – Varamu & Saveri (dwi-raga) Aadu Chidambaramo – Behag Tirupugazh – Hamir Kalyani Saketh started the concert with a slokam in Arabhi and he j...

Violin Maestro, Padmabhushan Sri T.N. Krishnan turns 90

T oday is a red letter day for me as I attended Kanakabhishekam of Prof T N Krishnan Sir and his Dharampatni Smt Kamala Ji on the occasion of 90 th Birth Day celebration of the violin Legend. Amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras, Havan, Pooja to Lord Guruvayurappa, Nadaswaram by Vidwan Seshampatti Sivalimgam, felicitation by Governor of Tamil Nadu the celebration culminated with Abhishekam of the couple from the vessel of yagna rituals with everyone singing Gowri Kalyana Vaibhavame. Post the Abhishekam the Couple were resplendent while seated, as people lined up to touch their feet and obtain Mangala Akshadai. I am very very blessed to witness Parameswar Parvathi and was so overwhelmed that I could wet their holy feet with Aananda Bashpam ( tears of joy ). May God Bless them with many more Jayanthi so they can, in turn, Bless millions like me. Sri. C.S. Pancham with Sri T.N. Krishnan and his Dharampatni Smt Kamala on the occasion of 90th B...

Story of Courage and Determination- Dr Narthaki Nataraj Padmashri

I am so delighted that Dr Narthaki Nataraj has been conferred Padmashri by Govt of India vide Republic Day honours list 2019. What is so significant about this great civilian honour is that she is the first Transgender to receive the top award. Not just that, it is a saga of struggle all throughout her childhood due to exclusion, derision, social boycott, poverty. She faced everything with true grit but she had one dream - to be a classical Bharatanatyam Dancer. She achieved that with gusto. She did menial jobs for surviving but was focused on her inner urge to dance. In 1984 she compelled the legend Guru Thanjavur Kittappa Pillai to accept her as a student. Yamini Krishnamurti, Vyjayantimala etc were his students. According to an article from Indian express “It was years before audiences recognised her splendid performances. In 2011, she was honoured with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi award from the President of India, a first for any trans person....

Nrtya Techniques in Mohiniyattam; book released

R enowned 'Mizhavu' artist and Guru - Padmashri P.K. Narayanan Nambiar released a book ( Malayalam ) - 'Nrthya Sankethangal Mohiniyattathil' written by Dr. Geetha Sivakumar at Palakkad, Keralam. Over the years, different 'Baanis' or 'Traditions' had contributed a lot in the nourishment of Mohiniyattam. This book -'Nrtya Sankethangal Mohiniyattathil' focuses on 'Kalamandalam baani'. ”Mohiniyattam, a lyrical dance form of Kerala, has a well structured 'prayoga' style in Kerala Kalamandalam Kalaries. This book tends to analyse the techniques of Mohiniyattam adopted by Kerala Kalamandalam so as to consider it as a Lasya Nrtya form. The queries on the techniques of nrtya such as what, why, where, when are the basic thought of this study. It is analysed on the basis of Sanskrit texts, which give us more scientific explanations and principles. ...

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