Natya Kala meet to focus on 'Ramayana in performing arts'
CHENNAI, November 25: The annual Natya Kala Conference of Sri Krishna Gana Sabha will commence on December 17. The conference will continue till December 23. This time around, the theme of the conference is: "Ramayana in Performing Arts''. Dancer Ananda Shankar Jayant will be the convenor of the conference.
With a view to taking the art beyond mere performance and help one and all understand the intellect, grammar and spirit of dance, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha started the Natya Kala Conference in 1981. Convened by Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, herself a scholar on dance, the maiden conference broke new ground in dance research, historiography, dance pedagogy and the inter- relationship of the various performing arts. Over the last nearly three decades, some best names have been invited by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha to take on the role of Convenor of the Natya Kala Conference for a period of two years.
Renowned dancer, choreographer, scholar, writer and arts commentator, Padmashri awardee, Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant has been invited to be the convenor of the Natya Kala Conference for the year 2008 and 2009.
In this particular conference, senior artistes and scholars will explore different facets of the Ramayana through interpretations both traditional and modern.
Contrasting styles such as Bharatanatyam, Bharata Nrityam, Odissi, Koochipoodi, Kathak, Kudiyattam and Mohiniattam will be showcased at this years' conference.
Significantly, the organizers have listed a lecture on Ramayana by Ms Sophiline Cheam Shapiro from the Khmer Arts Academy, Cambodia. She will speak on Ramayana in Cambodia. Dr Sunil Kothari's lecture will focus on Ramayana beyond Indian shores.
Interestingly, the conference has inserted a session on "God and the Musician - The Role of Divine Inspiration in Today's Music'' - a discussion by leading senior musicians. This will be moderated by Anil Srinivasan.
Dr. Prema Pandurang will speak on eternal values of the Ramayana. O.S. Arun, Venumadhav and musicians from Assam and Maharashtra will share their musical traditions. The Generation Next will treated to a story-telling session by V.R. Devika. The conference will also screen award winning animation film 'Sita sings the blues' by renowned American film maker Nina Paley. The conference is open to all and seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis. For details, contact: Ananda Shankar Jayant: anandasj@rediffmail.com
Sri Krishna Gana Sabha: + 91 - 44 - 2814 0806 / www.natyakalaconference.com
The schedule is given below:
With a view to taking the art beyond mere performance and help one and all understand the intellect, grammar and spirit of dance, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha started the Natya Kala Conference in 1981. Convened by Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, herself a scholar on dance, the maiden conference broke new ground in dance research, historiography, dance pedagogy and the inter- relationship of the various performing arts. Over the last nearly three decades, some best names have been invited by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha to take on the role of Convenor of the Natya Kala Conference for a period of two years.
Renowned dancer, choreographer, scholar, writer and arts commentator, Padmashri awardee, Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant has been invited to be the convenor of the Natya Kala Conference for the year 2008 and 2009.
In this particular conference, senior artistes and scholars will explore different facets of the Ramayana through interpretations both traditional and modern.
Contrasting styles such as Bharatanatyam, Bharata Nrityam, Odissi, Koochipoodi, Kathak, Kudiyattam and Mohiniattam will be showcased at this years' conference.
Significantly, the organizers have listed a lecture on Ramayana by Ms Sophiline Cheam Shapiro from the Khmer Arts Academy, Cambodia. She will speak on Ramayana in Cambodia. Dr Sunil Kothari's lecture will focus on Ramayana beyond Indian shores.
Interestingly, the conference has inserted a session on "God and the Musician - The Role of Divine Inspiration in Today's Music'' - a discussion by leading senior musicians. This will be moderated by Anil Srinivasan.
Dr. Prema Pandurang will speak on eternal values of the Ramayana. O.S. Arun, Venumadhav and musicians from Assam and Maharashtra will share their musical traditions. The Generation Next will treated to a story-telling session by V.R. Devika. The conference will also screen award winning animation film 'Sita sings the blues' by renowned American film maker Nina Paley. The conference is open to all and seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis. For details, contact: Ananda Shankar Jayant: anandasj@rediffmail.com
Sri Krishna Gana Sabha: + 91 - 44 - 2814 0806 / www.natyakalaconference.com
The schedule is given below:
| December 17, 2008 (WED) | |
| 09.30 - 10.15 | Dr. Ananda S Jayant-Convenor’s address ; Inauguration - Natya Kala Conference 2008 |
| 10.30 - 11.30 | Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam - Characters of the Ramayana |
| 11.45 - 13.00 | Dr. Prema Pandurang - Ramayana - Eternal values |
| December 18, 2008 (THU) | |
| 09.30 - 10.05 | Anita Ratnam - Ahalya, Once again stone - Neo Bharatam & Contemporary |
| 10.15 - 11.05 | Gowri Ramnarayan - Sita, A spectrum - Poetry |
| 11.15 - 12.00 | Dr. Neena Prasad - Sitayanam - Mohiniattam |
| 12.10 - 13.00 | Manik Borbayan - Ojah Pali - Assamese music - Vocal |
| December 19, 2008 (FRI) | |
| 09.30 - 10.05 | Sharodi Saikia - Kaikeyi Manthara, Ambition & intrigue - Sattriya |
| 10.15 - 11.05 | Swapna Sundari - Soorpanakha,Woman scorned1 - Kuchipudi |
| 11.15 - 12.00 | Sophiline C Shapiro - Reamker (Ramayana)2 - Cambodian dance |
| 12.10 - 13.00 | V R Devika - Rama, Aayana darpana - Story telling |
| December 20, 2008 (SAT) | |
| 09.30 - 10.05 | C V Chandrashekar - Tulasi Ramayana - Bharatanatyam |
| 10.15 - 11.05 | Margi Madhu - Hanuman3 - Kudiattam |
| 11.15 - 12.00 | Sophiline C Shapiro - Reamker (Ramayana) - Cambodian dance |
| 12.10 - 13.00 | Raghunath Khandalkar - Abhang - Maharashtra - Vocal |
| December 21, 2008 (SUN) | |
| 09.30 - 10.05 | Dr. Sunil Kothari - Ramayana, Beyond India - Presentation |
| 10.15 - 11.05 | Dr. Sonal Mansingh - Sita Swayamwar - Odissi |
| 11.15 - 12.00 | Dr. Alekhya - Mandodari's angst - Kuchipudi |
| 12.10 - 13.00 | O S Arun - Tummaku Chalata Ramachandra - Bhajans |
| December 22, 2008 (MON) | |
| 09.30 - 10.05 | Rajashree Shirke - Ravan Mandodari Samvad - Kathak |
| 10.15 - 11.05 | Sheejith Krishna - Ravana in Rukminidevi’s choreography - Dance drama |
| 11.15 - 12.00 | Venu Madhava - Sankeertana Ramadasyam - Vocal |
| 12.10 - 13.00 | Mahati Kannan & Vedant Bharadwaj4 - Bharatanatyam & Bhajans |
| December 23, 2008 (TUE) | |
| 09.30 - 10.05 | Navtej Singh Johar - Dravya, Kaya, Bamboo, Bark & Earth - Objects / signifiers in Ramayana - Bharatanatyam |
| 10.15 - 11.15 | God and the Musician - The role of divine inspiration in today's music - A discussion by leading senior musicians moderated by Anil Srinivasan |
| 11.30 - 12.30 | Leela Venkataraman - Closing remarks ; Dr. Paula Richman - Valedictory address |
