BACKGROUND TAARANA A CENTRE FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES

Transcription

1 BACKGROUND TAARANA A CENTRE FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES Vijayaratnam Foundation recently embarked on a mission to establish Taarana (which means awakening in Sanskrit), a school that caters to the requirements of children with special educational needs. Most of these children are unable to handle the regular school curriculum or communicate well. Unfortunately, due to a lack of awareness or understanding, their problems are often not recognised. Taarana aims to provide a quality educational facility for children between the ages of six and 12 who face challenges with delayed development in academic, social and adaptive skills, also known as Mild Intellectual Disability (MID). Hence, Vijayaratnam Foundation in collaboration with Kalpana Dance Theatre presents Dasavatar, a fundraising event in aid of the school. We aim to raise funds to enable the centre to prepare these children and integrate them into mainstream society for a brighter future. For more information about the school, please visit 1

2 THE SHOW: DASAVATAR The classical dance performance, Dasavataram is based on the story of the 10 incarnations of Lord Krishna as recounted in the poem Dasavataram composed by 12 th century poet, Jayadeva. The collection of poems is known as Gita Govindam and this forms the basis for Dasavatara Ashtapadhi which envisions the 10 avatars of Lord Krishna. This encompassing story is recounted through the Bharatanatyam dance form and is presented by both local and internationally known dancers from India. The dance is choreographed by award winning choreographer and dancer Gayatri Balagurunathan. The music composition for the Swarams is produced by T.K. Padmanabhan and the Jathis is composed by K. Gopinath. The story unfolds with Lord Maha Vishnu lying upon the Adisesha (the thousand headed serpent) along with his spouses Lakshmi and Bhumidevi, while the celestials praise His greatness. To uphold the Vedas and the living beings, He takes the form of a fish (Matsya). He subsequently, assumes the form of a Tortoise (Kurma), during the churning of the ocean in order to aid the Devas (Gods) and the Asuras (demi gods). He bears Bhumidevi (Mother Earth) on His bare tusks and saves her from the clutches of the asura (Demon) Hiranyaksha by taking on the form of a wild Boar (Varaha). He then tears open Hiranyakashipu s stomach with his sharp claws while in the form of half-lion, half-man (Narasimha). Later assuming the form of a dwarf (Vamana), the Lord quells King Mahabali s pride and measures the three worlds. He then incarnates as Parasurama and destroys all of the Ksatriya clan who threaten the sadhus. As Rama, he lives the life of an ordinary human being and kills the ten headed Ravana. As Balarama, He tames the wild river, Yamuna, which refuses to flow through Vrindavan. As Buddha, the Lord stops animal sacrifice and preaches ahimsa or Non Violence. When there is evil in the world and when justice and rightfulness are forgotten, the Lord will appear on a white horse, wielding a shining weapon in the form of Kalki avatar. 2

3 DATE AND VENUE 4, 5 & 6 March 2011, Auditorium Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur. ARTISTS Choreographer Gayatri Balagurunathan Vocals O.S. Arun Dancers Datin Umayal Eswaran Gayatri Balagurunathan P.T.Narendran Shangita Namasivayam Apsara Ramgopal Vennila Sivaneswaran Daisygarani Tamilselvam Kalyani Pushpangathan Nattuvagam V. Balagurunathan Mridangam K. Ramesh Babu Flute S. Sunil Kumar Violin Gayatri Vadivel 3

4 THE ARTISTS BACKGROUND Dancer/Choreographer Gayatri Balagurunathan Gayatri Balagurunathan is a dancer who inherited her good looks and dancing talents from her mother, the great Nritya Choodamani Krishnaveni Lakshmanan of Kalakshetra. Gayatri began her dancing career under the tutelage of renowned teachers Sharada Hoffmann and N.S.Jayalakshmi and then had her arangetram under her mother and Guru Krishnaveni Lakshmanan. She has come a long way in her career and is widely knowledgeable in the theory of Bharatanatyam and Folk Dances of India. She has basic training in Kalari Payattu (Martial Art Form of Kerala), and Mohini Aattam. Gayatri has won many awards and is a prominent and talented dancer as well as a great choreographer and a patient loving teacher. She has performed thematic shows on Drug Abuse, HIV/AIDS Awareness etc, these have won her state awards. She along with her husband V, Balagurunathan (A Bharatanatyam tutor at SIFAS, Singapore) produced many dance dramas namely Thrayee Shakthi, Ayigiri Nandhini, Aran Aadal and Aynkaran. Gayatri has toured many countries, enthralling the rasikas with her creativity and attractive stage presence. She has performed in the United States of America, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, South Africa and New Zealand. She was also part of the prestigious Thyagaraja Festival 2010 held at Cleveland, Ohio. She has won awards namely Balasaraswathi endowment award, T.S.Parthasarathy award, Yuva Kala Bharathi, Sathya Kalpana Praveena Sundaram, Nrithya Chinthamani for her dancing talents. She was recently awarded with the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2008, by the Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi, for her excellent achievement in Bharatanatyam. Gayatri is also known for her creativity in choreography that is within the boundaries of the aesthetic natyam as taught to her by her teachers. She has done two workshops on karanas under Dr.Padma Subrahmaniam. She runs her private school in Chennai named - Krishnanjali. 4

5 Vocals O.S Arun O.S. Vaidyanathan or Arun, as he is more popularly known, is undoubtedly one of the most gifted Carnatic musicians in the India. He is known for his sonorous voice that he wields with much confidence and musical personality and which he employs in tandem with his superior stagemanship. Arun inherits the mantle of singing from a family where music is a way of life. He was given to Carnatic Music in the Parivar Parampara and began his music lessons under the careful ear of his father Vidwan O.V. Subramaniam. Arun later qualified Alankar Purna from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. He also topped the Sangeetha Shironmani diploma course in Carnatic music conducted by the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts at Delhi University. Known for its vitality, Arun s music has combined grace of sound grammar and warmth of feeling. He also has a wide repertoire of songs, which has earned him a keen following. Arun has performed widely, both in India and abroad. His performances at various festivals include appearances at the India International Centre, the India Habitat Centre, the Vishnu Digambar Festival, the Rasika Ranjani Sabha in Calcutta, the Krishna Gana Sabha, Haridas Sammelan, Mylapore Fine Arts Club, and Kalarasana Chennai. He has also performed at the Badri Kedar Utsav arranged by the UP Cultural Department, ICCR s Parivar Parampara Series, Sangeet Nrityotsav arranged by the Sangeet Natak Akademi/ICCR, the Sanskriti Festival in London and the World Adelaide Festival in Australia. Other performances include those at the International Delima Festival in Mauritius, the 45th Independence Day in Kabul, Afghanistan, and the National Centre for Performing Arts in Bombay. He was featured at the Qutub Festival in Delhi and performed for the United Nations on the occasion of Human Rights Day. His appearance as Kovalan in an Indian Opera staged at the Singapore Art Festival won accolades both by the people and the media. Arun s trip to Canada every year has given him new directions for collaborative works with jazz musicians. 5

6 Dancer Datin Umayal Eswaran Datin Umayal Eswaran, Chairperson of the Vijayaratnam Foundation along with her husband, Dato Vijay Eswaran has been heavily involved in the promotion of arts and culture and working with underprivileged children on a personal basis for many years now. She has also worked behind the scenes on setting up the global Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the QI Group, RYTHM Foundation, since its inception in an unofficial capacity. Only recently, when the Malaysian Chapter of RYTHM Foundation was set up as a tribute to her Father-in-law, she consolidated her role into an official position as the Chairperson and Executive Board Member of the Vijayaratnam Foundation. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day activities of the Foundation and is part of the Executive Committee that evaluates proposals and oversees new projects and is the spokesperson for the various initiatives undertaken by the Foundation. Her key area of focus for the Foundation remains a cause close to her heart, which is to help children, especially those with physical and mental challenges and building a school to help those with special needs. A connoisseur of the performing arts, Datin Umayal is herself a trained Indian Classical Dancer who has studied under the great Bharatanatyam exponent Guru Vasuki Shanmugam Pillai and performed professionally in Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. She has also taught the Bharatanatyam dance form to aspiring young dancers in Hong Kong, Philippines and Malaysia. Among the many hats she wears, she is also the Publisher of RYTHM House Publishing, a dynamic, young publishing firm that specialises in life management and motivational titles. Datin Umayal is a qualified systems analyst who has studied in India and Sri Lanka, the country of her origin, where she grew up in an orthodox Tamil business family headed by the patriarch who coincidentally shares the name of her Father-in-Law Mr.Vijayaratnam. 6

7 Dancer - P.T. Narendran P. T. Narendran graduated from Rukmini Devi s Kalakshetra in Chennai which he joined at the age of eleven. Since 1989, he has been one of the principal dancers of the Kalakshetra dance troupe. After receiving his post-graduate diploma with first class honours and 10 years on the faculty, Narendran has chosen to freelance his art. Almost overnight, Narendran has turned into a celebrity dancer worldwide. He is one of the most sought after Bharatanatyam dancers in India and abroad. Narendran captures audiences with his deep understanding of Bhava (emotion) and Abhinaya (expression). In addition, this masculine, energetic dancer has a sense of rhythm and immediately hypnotizes spectators. Although his tenure with Kalakshetra is over, Narendran is often featured as a principal dancer in their dance dramas, where he has developed a presence and command through the major characters he has embodied. P. T. Narendran not only works with classical Bharatanatyam, but he also collaborates on modern, contemporary and traditional dance projects with a wide range of groups from Kalakshetra to Rudra Bejart Ballet. As a freelance Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer and teacher, he has given solo dance recitals, lecture demonstration and workshops all over the world. Some of his choreographic projects include: Ramayana (1994), a ballet produced by the Department of Culture Reunion Island, Manasarovar- Sacred Lake (1998), a contemporary production based on Bharatanatyam with the participation of artists of Reunion Island for the 50th Anniversary of Indian Independence and most recently, Ashokavanam (2009) a production combining the story of the Ramayana and the issue global warming in Australia. Narendran has toured widely in high profile festivals and performances all over India, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Reunion Island, South Africa, Kuwait, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Poland, Switzerland, Holland, England and Italy. His powerful & dynamic dance performances have made him one of Bharatanatyam s most important modern-day, international ambassadors. In Chennai alone, the Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram awarded him the Bharatha Natya Kalaingan in 1989, the Kalaimagal Sabha presented him with the Silver trophy in 1995 and the Temple of World Peace gave him the Gnana Oli Thiru Thondar Award in

8 Dancer Shangita Namasivayam For Shangita, dance is not some rarefied, exotic activity far removed from the perceivable. Instead, dance has always been the manifest expression of the unmanifest impression. After having completed her early years of dance in Sri Lanka, Shangita proceeded to one of the foremost centres of Bharata Natyam - Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts in Madras, founded by Srimati Rukmini Devi Arundale, one of the contemporary greats of eastern culture. Trained by brilliant gurus in the true guru-sishya parampara, Shangita completed both the diploma and post diploma courses with first class honours. Rukmini Devi once said of Shangita, She is highly intelligent, gifted, and is a polished as well as accomplished dancer. Words of praise rarely heard from this great personality. She toured extensively with Kalakshetra and went on to work with the internationally renowned dance choreographer Chandralekha, which whom she was involved in creative and innovative explorations of Bharatanatyam. To enhance her understanding of movement and greater strength and suppleness, she took up the ancient martial art form of Kalaripayat. Shangita has also been actively involved in the experiment of using dance as a form of therapy for the mentally and physically handicapped. It would be no exaggeration to say that Shangita has travelled widely as an ambassador of Indian Classical Dance. She has performed in Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, Pacific Islands, England, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Australia, and South Africa. She has been honoured with the titles Natya Kalamani and Nritya Choodamani. 8

9 Dancer Kalyani Pushpangathan There is one language that everybody in this world can understand - the inherent language of dance. That is what attracted Kalyani Pushpangathan to explore dance as a form of expression. Kalyani, an accidental dancer has always seen dance as a beautiful art form. She has always wanted to be a singer but fate has led her to be a dancer. Trained under Teacher Vasugi Jegatheeswaran from eight to 14 years old, she was born and raised in Sri Lanka. Now, a mother of two, she picked up dancing again for charity. After not dancing for over 20 years, she started training again for one and half years prior to performing in Dasavatar. Her determination to excel in dance showed with her rigorous training every day in anticipation of the show. The reason for picking up dancing again was solely motivated for the charity cause of Dasavatar which is the setting up of Taarana. Being part of such a noble cause has pushed Kalyani to embrace dance again, especially for more charitable events in the future. Nattuvangist Sri.V.Balagurunathan Sri V.Balagurunathan hails from a family of Shivaacharyas and took to dancing at an early age. He is a post graduate from the prestigious institution, Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, India. He is also a graduate in English Literature from the University of Chennai and worked under Mrinalini and Mallika Sarabhai in Ahmedabad for a period of three years. He is an all rounder in the basics of Kathakali, Kalari payattu (martial art form of Kerala), Carnatic Vocal and Nattuvangam. Sri.V. Balagurunathan has toured widely as a Nartaka (male dancer) and as Nattuvanar. Balagurunathan joined the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society in June He has been implementing all his talents while at SIFAS. Most of his students have shown their talents by coming out with distinction, best student awards and Natya Visharadh titles in their examinations. Bala has choreographed many special themes for Academy day namely, Ranjani Mala, Bakasura Vadham, Chamundeshwari, Aarumugan and many more. He has many dance dramas to his credit which has won him great acclaims as a dancer and choreographer. These are - Thrayee Shakthi, Purush Prakriti, Kannappa Naayanar, Ayigiri Nandhini, Aran Aadal and most recently, Aynkaran. As a performer, he has won applause for his exemplary dancing in the productions Shringaar, Cosmic Dance, Bells in trance, Shivarpanam and Dasavataram. Sri Balagurunathan is a dedicated teacher who is committed and sincere to his work. His efforts have been very fruitful which is evident in the number of senior students he has trained, many of whom have taken part in the temple programmes and SIFAS arts festival. 9

10 His humble nature and warm approach is a great asset to his career. Balagurunathan had also been taking classes at the Umaruppulavar School and there too he has proved himself as a wonderful teacher and choreographer. Balagurunathan has been a part of the prestigious Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival held at Cleveland, He was also invited to perform at the Swami Thyagaraja festival at South Africa, 2010 and is the recipient of the title Nrithya Kala Nipuna, awarded in his home town, Karaikkal, for his excellent contribution to Bharatanatyam. Mridangist K.P Ramesh Babu K.P.Ramesh Babu is an accomplished percussionist from Chennai, India. He hails from a family known for their extraordinary artistic talents. Ramesh started practicing the percussion at a very early age under the guidance of his father Shri K.P. Bhaskar Das and master teacher Shri. Puthukode S. Krishnan. His mother, Mrs.Kalamandalam Chandrika, a noted Bharathanatyam (Indian classical) dancer and teacher helped him train as an accompanist for dance. His passion for music and search for excellence led him to his guru, Shri Karaikudi R.Mani. Ramesh Babu became a dynamic performer and won many prizes in the All India Radio music competitions. His versatility earned him a scholarship from the Cultural Department of India. Ramesh has emerged as a successful freelance artist who has accompanied some of India s finest musicians and dancers on the media and stage. He has had the pleasure of accompanying dance luminaries such as the Dhananjayans, Krishnaveni Laxman, Chandrasekhars, Narasimhacharis, Leela Samson, Madhavi Mudgal, Alarmel Valli and several upcoming artists. Ramesh has accompanied music virtuosos such as B.V.Raman and Laxmanan, Vairamangalam Laxminarayanan, Sriram Parasuram and Anuradha Sriram, Palai C.K.Ramachandran, O.S.Arun, and T.V. Ramprasad. He has worked as a dance accompanist with the Dananjayan s at Bharatha Kalanjali in Chennai for the past 16 years. Ramesh has travelled throughout Asia, Europe, Australia, and the United States assisting several dance companies world over by providing rhythmical support, scores and compositions. For the past several years, Ramesh has worked closely with dance companies such as Kalanjali dances of India, California; Apsara Arts, Singapore; Bharatha Kalajali, Australia. He has played at important occasions such as Khajuraho Dance festival, Konark Dance Festival, India International Centre, Swaralaya Festival, Surya Festival, and Indian Art Circle, Kuwait; and the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. Apart from being a percussion virtuoso, with proficiency over several types of percussion instruments, Ramesh has many music compositions to his credit. 10

11 ABOUT THE ORGANISERS VIJAYARATNAM FOUNDATION Vijayaratnam Foundation was established in April 2006 by Dato Vijay Eswaran, Executive Chairman of the QI Group as the Malaysian Chapter of RYTHM Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the QI Group of Companies. The Foundation is a tribute to his father Mr. S. Vijayaratnam, to continue his legacy of philanthropic activities started over 60 years ago. The Foundation focuses on four main areas education, community development, arts & culture, and the environment. The Vijayaratnam Foundation facilitates the inception and implementation of various initiatives and projects through its work with the public and private sectors, civil society, and the philanthropic community in Malaysia. Please visit for more information on Vijayaratnam Foundation. KALPANA DANCE THEATRE Kalpana Dance Theatre, a young and vibrant Malaysian dance group, is the brainchild of its resident artistic director, Kalakshetra trained Shangita Namasivayam. Although a fledgling dance group, Kalpana Dance Theatre has proven itself to be significant in the Malaysian dance world. Together with Daisygarani Vijayakumaran, its principal, Shangita Namasivayam has successfully injected into Kalpana Dance Theatre that same professionalism, artistic execution, passion, enthusiasm, rigorous discipline and unfailing commitment distinctive to Kalakshetra. Thus, Kalpana Dance Theatre is set to play a major and influential role in dance. Kalpana Dance Theatre strives to be in the forefront of Indian dance by consistently performing all over the world while holding performances in Malaysia showcasing dancing greats from other parts of the world. Kalpana Dance Theatre also conducts Bharatanatyam and Odissi classes at Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. So impressive is the quality of Kalpana Dance Theatre s work that a significant affiliation with the Pracheen Kalakendra of Chandigarh, India quickly became a reality. Through Kalpana Dance Theatre, students can now achieve higher levels of technical competence and artistry. 11