Nishagandhi Festival 2013 to begin on January 20
Nishagandhi Festival is one of the
most prestigious cultural fests held in the capital city of Kerala,
Thiruvanathapuram . It provides a wide platform for the Indian artists to
showcase their art forms in its true colour with the proper blend of tradition &
culture. It’s conducted as an annual fest held consistently during the month of
January. It is held at Kanakkakunnu Palace premises where the events are staged
at the Nishagandhi Open Air Theatre.
Many popular artists consider this platform as one of its kind owing to the
exposure provided to the public during such a vibrant event conducted in its
full glory. True art lovers will get an opportunity to experience the dance
performances of artists who have excelled in Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam,
Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi , modern ballet and other folk forms. It’s organized
by the able guidance of KTDC (Kerala Tourism Development Corporation). During
the fest, another events runs in parallel to showcase the traditional
handicrafts of Kerala, highlight the traditional food items and also some
musical experiments. Overall the event provides an insight to the traditional
scenery of India. It could be viewed as a elate conglomeration of the popular
classical art forms.
Nishagandhi Festival 2013 will start
from Jan 20 @ Nishagandhi Auditorium and below are the few attractions
of this year’s event.
‘Naman’ Specially Choreographed Show by Jayaprabha and Group
At the Nishagandhi Festival,
Jayaprabha and Group will present Naman, a unique blend of five classical dance
forms. It explores panchabhuta, the five elements, and culmintes with
Shivapanchakshara. Using different styles of dances and different rhythmic
patterns, the presentation tries to weave a rich tapestry of music, rhythm and
movement. The inherent strength of each dance form is used to creatively
explore the inner world and inherent vibrations of Shivapanchakshara -
Namashivaya.
Jayaprabha Menon Known for her
novel presentations and excellent abhinaya, Jayaprabha's performances, though
rooted in tradition are contemporary in theme. A recipient of Nritasree and
Sringaramani Award, she is the Director of International Academy of
Mohiniyattam, New Delhi.
Mohiniyattam by Aswathy Jayaram
Aswathy Jayaram popularly known
as Parvathy, actress turned classical dancer once again hits the stage after
her long break since she stopped acting. She started her journey into the
vibrant world of dance right from the tender age of six. Aswathy's main
inspiration was her mother Padma Ramachandran who was a disciple of late Sri
Guru Gopinath and late Dandayudhapanu Pillai. She participated in several youth
festivals under the guidance of Guru Ennakkadu Narayanankutty, a direct
disciple of Kalamandalam Kalyanikuttiyamma and won innumerous accolades for her
mind-blowing performance and this paved the way to her entry into Malayalam
film Industry. She was a popular heroine with the credit of more than eighty
films and by several awards till she tied the knot with the well renowned actor
Jayaram. After a long break of fourteen years she once again embraced her only
passion-Mohoniyattam. She immediately grabbed the Kshemavathi in the year 2008,
her learning experience under her teacher gave her the confidence to once again
start performing. In the following years she gave performance in prestigious
stages and well known temples, she wishes to continue dancing survived by her
husband Jayaram and her sin Kalidas and daughter Malavika.
Kathak by Vikram Iyengar & Group
Vikram Iyengar Co-founder and
Artistic Director of Ranan is a dancer, choreographer, theatre director and
performing arts researcher/writer based in Kolkata, India. A top grade solo
artist with Doordarshan with performances across India and abroad, he is an
INLAKS scholar with an MA in Performing Arts from the University of Wales,
Aberystwyth. He is currently co-editor of the India Theatre Forum performance
e-journal, e-Rang.
Ranan Performance Collective grew
out of a need to demystify Indian classical dance and make it accessible and
enjoyable for larger audiences. At the Nishagandhi, Ranan will present excerpts
from three very different dance productions - Vaichitra, Rangeeniyan and Shunya
Se. Together, the evening will span the range and richness of Kathak showcasing
pure dance, abhinaya and experimental choreography.
Heartbeat (Percussion ensemble) by Dr. 'Ghatam' Karthick. S
Dr. 'Ghatam' Karthick. S is a
disciple of maestros Vikku Vinayakram and Subash Chandran, Dr. Karthick is one
of India's topmost percussionists. Also one of the most in-demand
percussionists in the Indian film industry, he records extensively with India's
top film composers like Ilayaraja, A.R.Rahman and Harris Jayaraj. An M.A,
M.Phil and PhD in Sanskrit, with an M.A. in Indian Music from the University of
Madras, Dr. Karthick is one of the esteemed faculty for Indian Studies at the
Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music, an institution of contemporary music involving
Jazz, Rock, Classical and World Music.
At the Nishagandhi, Dr. Karthick will
lead his music emsemble, Heartbeat that blends Popular, Carnatic, Jazz and Folk
Music. With a galaxy of musical instruments, the concert will showcase varied
styles to create a medley of heavenly music. Accompanying him on the show will
be artistes who have collaborated and performed all around over the world in
many reputed fusion music festivals and cultural.
Mohiniyattam by Smitha Rajan
One of India's best and
internationally acclaimed Mohiniyattam performers, Smitha Rajan is a strict
traditionalist in her style, well known for the structural integrity and
spiritual intensity she brings to the stage. Granddaughter of one of India's
finest classical dance performers, Padmasree Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and
Mohiniyattam legend, Guru Kalamandalam Kalyanikuttiamma, Smitha holds the
unique distinction of being trained by them. Well versed in Kathakali and
Bharatanatyam, she actively performs all over the world in both Mohiniyattam
and Kathakali. A member of numerous cultural organizations, she is also associated
with many television networks in India and abroad. Smitha currently resides
with her family in St Louis, USA and is the artistic director of
Nrithyakshetra, St. Louis Chapter.
Kuchipudi by Amrita Lahiri
Amrita Lahiri started her
training in Kuchipudi at Washington DC under Anuradha Nehru, a senior disciple
of Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. Later, she learnt Bharatanatyam from Leela
Samson in New Delhi. She also studied under Swapnasundari and Seetha Nagajothy.
Since 2006, she has been learning from Kishore Mosalikanti in Chennai. The
influences of these eminent gurus are reflected in Amrita's performances around
India and abroad. She is today based in Mumbai where she teaches and performs
Kuchipudi. She also writes on dance and has worked professionally in arts
management at prestigious institutions like the Kennedy Centre, Kalakshetra,
and most recently, at the National Centre for Performing Arts as the Head of
the Dance Department.
Odissi by Sharmila Biswas
A leading dancer and
choreographer in the Odissi classical dance form, Sharmila is a senior disciple
of the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Noted for the originality in her
composition, technique and stage design, Sharmila's versatility ranges from
classical Odissi dance to experimental choreographic work. Honoured with the
Uday Shankar Award and the prestigious Mahari Award, she has also received the
Junior and subsequently the Senior Fellowship Award from the Dept. of Culture,
Govt. of India and the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi. Sharmila is graded as an
'outstanding' artist by Doordarshan and the Indian Council of Cultural
Relations, Govt. of India. Sharmila is the Founder Chairperson of the Odissi
Vision & Movement Centre - an institution created for the promotion of
Indian Dance & Music through research, training and performances.
Bharatanatyam by Urmila Sathyanarayanan
One of India's finest
Bharatanatyam dancers, Urmila Sathyanarayanan has won critical acclaim for her
crisp and precise footwork as well as the spontaneity and vivaciousness of her
facial expressions. Blessed with a captivating stage presence, Urmila's
strength lies in her ability to create vivid and aesthetic images through mime.
Also an astute choreographer, she has conceptualized, choreographed and
presented close to a dozen of her own original thematic productions. A disciple
of the late Guru K.N. Dandayudapani Pillai and Guru K.J. Sarasa, Urmila has won
several prestigious awards, including the Kalaimamani award, Nritya Choodamani
Award and the National Eminence Award. An empanelled artist of the Indian
Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and an 'A Top' grade Artist of
Doordarshan, Urmila today runs a dance school in Chennai, known for its high
standards.
Meditative ensemble by Pandit Ramesh Narayan
Pandit Ramesh Narayan has the
unique distinction of being one of the few vocalists from Kerala to have carved
a niche for himself in Hindustani music. Hailing from a family of Carnatic
musicians settled at Kuthuparambu in Kerala, he had his early lessons in music
from his parents. He later learnt Sitar under the tutelage of Satchidananda
Phadke, a renowned disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar. Drawn to Hindustani vocal,
Pandit Ramesh Narayan earned his 'Visharad' from the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva
Mahavidyalaya. Later, his talent and technique were honed by none other than
the legendary Pandit Jasraj.
At the Nishagandhi, Pandit Ramesh
Narayan along with other renowned musicians will present 'Meditative Ensemble',
a newly launched musical production exclusively designed for the Festival. A
blend of pure Indian music combining instrumental music and vocals as well as
Carnatic and Hindustani, it will be a unique musical journey.
Styles Amalgamated by K. Krishnakumar & Binni Krishnakumar
K. Krishnakumar & Binni Krishnakumar
Gifted are the musician couple K. Krishnakumar and Binni Krishnakumar who
traverse musically from the traditional South Indian Classical to the popular
filmi music. They have widely traveled in India and abroad to perform solo, duo
vocal Carnatic concerts and theme-oriented special concerts. They are the
disciples of the doyen of Indian Classical music, Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. The
duo presents traditional music in a very trendy and scintillating style.
Conceived by Trivandrum K.
Krishnakumar, the specially conceived fusion concert at Nishagandhi will an
amalgamation of different styles of music of India musically backed with a
global touch. The concert will feature musical pieces highlighting the
different genres and combining them to a memorable amalgamation. The ten-artist
fusion musical show will feature various musical pieces - The Beginning -
Music, The Flower - Song Evolution, The Song and Rhythm, The Rustic and The
unison.
Odissi by Aloka Kanungo
A disciple of Padmabibhushana Sri
Kelucharan Mohapatra, Aloka Kanungo is a rare combination of dancer,
choreographer, teacher and scholar. Lauded for her fusion works with Manipuri
(Maha Raas), Kathak (Shiva Shakti) and Rabindra Sangeet (Barshar Gaan &
Bhanu Singher Padyabali), she is also known for her work on the ancient and
almost extinct dance forms in group choreographies like Sthapatya Satya,
Gaatagata and Mahavidya. She has also worked with physically challenged and
under privileged children in a project called Kautuk - a children soiree. A
recipient of many prestigious awards and honours, the Orissa Sangeet Natak
Academy Award, Mahari award from Pankajcharan Das Odissi Research Foundation,
Udayashankar Award etc., Aloka today heads the Shinjan Nrityalaya in Calcutta.
Ghazal by Padmashree Penaz Masani
Padmashree Penaz Masani The
uncrowned queen of ghazals, Padmashree Penaz Masani has carved a niche for
herself in the world of Indian music. With her charming looks, glorious voice
and impeccable Urdu diction, she has won the heart of millions across the
world. Discovered by the legendary composer Jaidev during a singing contest,
she was guided by her guru, the famous Ghazal exponent Madhu Rani. Penaz cut
her first album in 1981 and has the distinction of having one Platinum and
three Gold Discs to her name. She has sung in over dozen languages and has
performed extensively at concerts across the world. Perhaps the only women to
have achieved an eminent status in the traditionally male - dominated world of
Ghazals, Penaz has received numerous state and national awards during her
illustrious career - including the Debut Award for the best child singer in
1976, the Vasant Desai Swar Prathistha Award in 1977 and the S D Burman Trophy
for the most promising classical singer in 1978. The nation honoured her with
the Padmashree in 2009.
Kuchipudi by Manju Warrier
The popular Malayalam actress Manju Warrier who was in oblivion for quite a long time made a comeback to the dancing world last October where she performed in Guruvayur. She is all set to hog the limelight on Jan 26th at Nishagandhi. This year's Nishagandhi festival will have proper culmination with Manju Warrier performing on the final day. It seems we could see her in many such stages going forward. This is the biggest stage for her since her comeback. Since a popular heroine is performing after a hiatus the event is sure to garner a lot of media attention too. The stage is set to witness the Kuchipudi performance by Manju Warrier on Jan 26th.
Program Schedule
Kathakali Mela schedule (Daily @ 6pm)
Article Reference | keralatourism.org
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