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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Infinite Ocean in a Cup! Savour of music from Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh

W ith its vastness and depth beyond the sight, Music is often referred to as 'Anantha Saagaram' ( the Infinite Ocean). "Cup O' Carnatic" by Vidushi Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh, a video series which influenced a lot of viewers, was an effort to handover the flavors of the infinite ocean with the piecemeal approach at the best. "So many people write to me with queries on Veena and Music. Though initially I tried to answer them individually, due to time constraint, it became difficult. So I thought it will be nice to have a public platform to attend such queries so that every one can access it", Dr. Jayanthi explains the path that lead her to the creation of "Cup O' Carnatic". To motivate young rasikas into enjoying and appreciating Carnatic music, the videos are purposely kept to a shorter duration. Apart from its rich content and the effective presentation, what was so special about the series was its short duration. This in-fact had ins...

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...

'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...

Opportunities -

Looking for perfect person to join REVA Performing Arts family! Vacancy announced POSTED ON : 29th May 2018 REVA University, awarded as Top University of India offers BA in Performing Arts (Dance, Music and Theater Arts), English and Psychology, MPA (Bharathanatyam&Kuchipudi), Diploma (Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam). Vacancy for one full time faculty at Assistant or Associate Professor level. Apply on or before June 10th. Please check poster for details. Contact : School of Performing Arts REVA University Bengaluru Opportunities (Advt. Section)

Aananda Bhairavi and Sree Thyagaraja Swami; 'Neeke Theliyaka Pote..'

T housands of Keerthanams that streamed down from the Divine Heart of Sri Thyagaraja Swami have been spawning unfathomable and indecipherable feelings in us for centuries. 'Neeke Theliyaka..', among those priceless gems, is the only 'Keerthanam' in Ragam AanandaBhairavi from Sri Thyagaraja Swami! A snippet on this:- Once Swami ji happened to hear Sri Shayama Shasthrikal singing AanandaBhairavi. Feeling it to be an awesome sauce, Swamiji fell head over heels in love with the AanandaBhairavi of Shasthrikal. Bowing before Shastrikal, with such a pure and humble heart Swamiji's words broke the silence," Divine is Thy rendition, henceforth dost I wish no Keerthanams from me take shape in AanandaBhairavi !" (Note: "ksheera saagara vihaara aparimita.." in AanandaBhairavi by Sri Thyagaraja Swamikal is a DivyaPrabhandam [Utsava Sampradaya] ) Lyrics and Meaning below: Keerthanam on Lord Sree Rama. ...

Pandit Samta Prasad - Resonance unlimited

I f each year is a beat, today the second cycle of the twelve beat Ekthal is completed, after the demise of the Maharaj of Thaal - Pandit Samta Prasad (Gudai Maharaj). Of course, his life was not different from his own words: "The whole life of a tabla artiste is dedicated to finding a special beat with the tali and the khali . They reside in his heart, because his soul rests and throbs with the thaala of measured matras" . He is a musician who had dominance over both the baayan and tabla. He was an illustrious soloist and accompanist. In Pandit Kishan Maharaj's ( tabla exponent ) opinion, "Tabla in Gudai ji's hands seemed like a fish trapped in an eagle's claws". He had such an astonishing control over the instrument. It is said that in those days, the organizers felt like- without Gudai Maharaj the concerts were incomplete and they will first attest to the date of Gudai Maharaj before they finalize the main artist ! He was awarded the...

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