Vol.17 No. 12 December - 2016 INFOSYS FOUNDATION ANUPU FESTIVAL DEC 9, 10 & 11 TRIBUTE TO BUDDHIST HERITAGE Anupu, on the banks of the Krishna river near Nagarjunasagar dam, is an expansive archaeological wonder of Buddhist learning and culture dating back to the 3 rd century. It is not just a tourist destination; it is a historic walk into an ancient seat of Mahayana Buddhism in South India, its magnificent architecture a reflection of past glory brought to life. Discovered during the construction of the dam, the ruins of the ancient Buddhist centre 1 bhavanblrhns50@gmail.com
was unearthed, literally throwing up a place of marvellous architectural interest, complete with a Vihara (Buddhist university), Harati temple and a large amphitheatre. Anupu, the place where Acharya Nagarjuna preached Mahayana Buddhism, was painstakingly reconstructed in detail by the Archaeological Survey of India, the 80 hectares of the site coming alive as a historical and cultural world monument of Buddhism. The intricacy of the structures lie in their divisions, the stupas having circular brick walls with cladding of limestone slabs, MEGA CULTURAL FEST - 2016 the Simhala Vihara housing two halls, one enclosing an image of the Buddha, and the monasteries having limestone columns set in brick and stone walls. The amphitheatre enjoys pride of place, its stepped columns opening up to a central playground. Just before the amphitheatre is the Harati temple sporting a statue of the mother Goddess in a sitting posture. The stark and arid landscape of Anupu, scattered with greenery Limestone - Ayakpata showing the transportaion of Siddhartha s headgear (crown) to heaven by the gods, accompanied by musicions. 2
here and there, has its own unique appeal. The Anupu festival is a celebration of India s rich Buddhist heritage, where the ancient monument will reverberate with traditional performing arts events, seamlessly linking the glories of an ancient time to the cultural legacies of a later age, while nurturing and preserving the same for times to come. Centred geographically, linguistically, and culturally in the Andhra region, the festival will naturally focus on folk arts, theatre, and classical dance and music drawn from there, with special emphasis on folk forms, their colour, vibrancy, and their very sustenance factored in. Symbolically, the festival will be inaugurated by Buddhist 3 monks who will pay floral tributes to the image of Buddha. The maiden performance will be the folk dances of Andhra, representing the essence of Telugu art vis a vis an indigenous culture, followed by a nadaswaram recital, which dates back to generations of players in the Telugu heartland. Instrumental music, Kuchipudi, folk dances, classical dance features exclusive to Andhra, and devotional music embody the arts featured at the festival, a highlight of which is a cultural programme by the employees of Infosys. Their stage outing will showcase music, dances, and a fashion show, the speciality being that all of them will be in the traditional format.
Even the fashion show will feature traditional costumes drawn from different states of India, where the essence of Telugu will blend into the rich cultural milieu of India. Over 350 artistes will pay obeisance to the Buddha through the festival, tailored as a tribute to India s cultural mosaic, integral to which are age-old monuments. Indian culture, as evidenced in its scriptures, customs, traditions and arts is not only the soul of this ancient land but is its hope and beacon light too, for re-creating a beautiful, peaceful world. To keep alive India s cultural heritage and diversity, Infosys Foundation has been supporting activities connected to art, a recent effort being the reconstruction of ancient monuments and bringing them alive through traditional performing and visual arts festivals. The first such festival was held in March 2106, at Lakshmeshwara in Gadag District, when the restored 2,000-year-old expansive temple complex of Someshwara reverberated with dance and 4 music, equally of the folk variety, attracting an audience of thousands, drawn from adjoining villages. The cultural matrix of India lies as much in its history, the huge monuments sprinkled all over the country bearing testimony to ancient India s scientific architectural intricacies and its rich tradition of public festivities and arts. To help re-create this past glory, Infosys Foundation plans to wed Indian traditional arts and historical monuments by holding annual culture festivals at archeologically renovated sites. The core value the Foundation will establish through these festivals, where the venue is central to the performances, is the continuation of a cultural legacy. Creating public awareness of a slice of India s ancient history and wooing large audiences through presenting myriad arts against a historical backdrop will be of essence here. The mega Anupu culture festival, the second event on similar lines, is a celebration of the cultural diversity of India in the lap of history. - Jyothi Raghuram
Group Dance Dec 10 : The BVB-ICCR Horizon series presents Bharatanatya group dance by Veena C. S. and troupe at the Bhavan premises, at 6pm. A dancer cum academic with several interests in allied fields such as stage lighting, Veena has a host of national and international performances behind her, with thematic dance productions and her Kala Sampada School of Bharatanatya encompassing her holistic approach to the art. Yoga, Samskritam, Carnatic vocal and dance theory are part of the curriculum at Kala Sampada, which institution has groomed dancers C.S. Veena 5 WATCH OUT FOR DEC 10, 24, 29. who have done particularly well in dance competitions and examinations besides being giving solo recitals. Women s Instrumental Trio Shubha Santosh Dec 24 : They proudly call themselves the Women s Trio in Carnatic Music, specialising in instrumental music concerts. Shubha Santosh (veena), Prema Vivek (violin) and Vani Manjunath (flute) have been performing as a team for two years now and are gaining stage space as a threemember women s troupe. Currently training with Sri.H. S. Sudhindra, Shubha has several performances and awards to her credit, while Prema, having learnt from Sri. H. V. Krishnamurthy and Smt. Neela Ramgopal, is presently being
guided by Smt. Kanyakumari of Chennai. A software engineer by profession, Prema has pursued her interest in music parallelly, having many concerts to her credit. Chinmayee Kamakotika Venkatraman Vani Manjunath Besides routine performances, Vani has ventured into interesting outings. She has dabbled in fusion music with the troupe Kohum, has composed music for plays and for Doordarshan, and has organized classical orchestral music programmes. The trio will perform at Indiranagar Sangeeth Sabha under the BVB-Infosys Foundation Outreach Programme, at 6 pm. Prema Vivek 6 Bharatanatya by NRI dancer Dec 29 : The Pandanallur Mutthaiah Pillai Endowment Programme will present a Bharatanatya recital by NRI dancer Chinmayee Kamakotika Venkatraman, a dancer with the unique distinction of having both her dance and music debut performances the same day! Chinmayee s outings include classical solo recitals, group dances many composed by her, and bhangra, topped off with Rangila, a dance feature where she was both choreographer and one among the many dancers, and which was for a philanthropic cause. The recital is at Khincha Hall, 6 pm. -JR
STROKE OF COLOUR AT HAMPI A literally colourful outcome of Hampi Utsav 2016 was the painting of 40 canvases with different subjects, of which Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan s Bengaluru Kendra too boasted of two well appreciated works. It was an occasion for the Kendra to feel proud of; its Director, Sri. H. N. Suresh, an award-winning artist, was one among the 20 select artists picked by the Department of Culture and Toursim, Government of Karnataka, to participate in the art camp at Hampi, as an adjunct to the festival. Hema Koota near the Saraswathi temple, amidst the famed ruins of Hampi, formed the awe-inspiring backdrop for the three-day camp, the un-prescribed theme allowing artists to draw from the haunting beauty of the surroundings. What got translated on to the canvas of Sri. Suresh were two nimble figures, Virupaksha @ Hampi and Gandharva @ Hampi. The paintings encapsulated the presiding deity of the Vijayanagara empire, as a reality, and the celestial beings Gandharvas as personifying Virupaksha @ Hampi Acrylic on canvas 3ft x 3ft The painting pays obeisance to the presiding deity of Hampi, Lord Virupaksha, accompanied by the dhyana shloka, Aangikam Bhuvanam..., of the Natya Shastra, in praise of Nataraja, the Lord of dance. The work was commissioned for Hampi Utsav, 2016, at Hampi. 7
Gandharva @ Hampi acrylic on canvas 3ft x 3ft The painting depicts flying Gandharvas, besides tracing raga chakra the assignment of definite times for singing particular ragas in a 24-hour time cycle. Utsav, 2016, at Hampi the beauty of Hampi, inspirationally, and as a conception of beauty. The fluidity and exotic beauty of the forms, both in the Virupaksha and Gandharva paintings, was what set apart the art works as classics. - JR 8
CUTURAL OUTREACH PROGRAMME REPORTS : BVB-INFOSYS FOUNDATION PROGRAMMES : SEP, OCT, 2016. Sixty six cultural programmes were held in which 661 artistes performed to an audience of about 2000. The events included Gond Ghusadi and Jada Koppu Kolattam folk dances of Telangana, a workshop on Nirmal painting tradition by the Hyderabad Kendra, Jagran Gondol and Kalagi Tura folk dance and music of Maharashtra (Pune Kendra), and Lok Utsav and Baul Mela (Kolkata). The Jaipur Kendra organised a folk dance recital cum workshop at Bikaner where artistes got an opportunity to learn and perform traditional folk dances of Rajasthan. ANDRAP PRADESH AND TELENGANA Ghusadi is a traditional dance of the Gond tribal people performed at the time of Deepavali, the biggest festival of the Raj Gonds of Adilbad District. As harvesting is over and the season is cool, the Gonds, dressed in colourful costumes and decorated with ornaments, go to neighbouring villages in groups, singing and dancing. Telengana folk dance - - Gond Ghusadi by Sri. Bhupati & group, Hyderabad, Oct 15. 9
Telengana folk dance-jada Koppu Kolatam by Sri. Bhupati & group, Hyderabad, Oct 15. Jada Koppu Kolattam is the name of the alluring dance form practiced by young people. The term Kolattam is derived Nirmal painting exhibition & workshop by Smt. Ramadevi & group, Hyderabad, Oct. 20. 10 from kol, which means, a stick, and attam, meaning play. The circular movements are welltimed and executed, the ropes hanging from above getting plaited by the dancers in the form of chanthadu. Nirmal painting, the 400-year-old art of making soft wood toys and paintings, is an attractive handicraft model, the finely carved figures and dainty paintings attracting art lovers. Students of four schools were trained in drawing and painting of Nirmal art.
Traditional folk dances of Rajasthan by Sri. Kailash Vijay & Sri. Manoj Swami, Bikaner, Oct 15. RAJASTHAN Some traditional folk dances of Rajasthan are losing out to fusion dance, preventing pure traditional dance arts from reaching people. To promote Rajasthani folk dances, over 30 dancers were identified to participate in the workshop on pure traditional folk dances including Gangaur, Charu, Ghumar, Terahtali and Manjira. 11
Pathanamthitta Sep 14. KERALA The rendering of folk songs to the accompaniment of instrumental music by Sri. Adarsh M. R. and troupe, meant the presentation of a fading folk form by artistes from a rural background. The artistes were drawn from the Vaimuzhi Folklore Study Centre, Pathanamthitta. Deepshikha by Smt.Anjali Karhadkar & troupe, Pune, Oct 7. MAHARASHTRA Deepshikha, a musical play on the life of women saints of Maharashtra such as Muktai, Janabai, Girija, Soyara, Nirmala, Vena and Meerabhai, was presented in the form of bhajans, 12 bharud, abhang, fataka, nandi & bhairavi. The struggle these saints went through was well depicted in the play, and co-related to the problems of women in today s society.
Kalagi Tura (Bhedik Lawani) by Shahir Bharat Bhagawat Thorat and troupe, Pune, Sept 2. Natya Nandi Parva, popular songs of musical dramas, also known as Nandi or opening songs along with musical pointers (suchak pade), rendered by Musical play-natya Nandi Parva by Smt. Preethi Gokhale & troupe, Pune, Oct 21. Bal Gandharva in plays like Saubhadhra, Swayamvur and Manapman were presented, with the singers draped in traditional costumes. Folk music Jagran Gondal by Shahir Balasaheb Kanhere, Pune, Sept 23. WEST BENGAL / AGARTHALA Lok Utsav and Baul Mela included folk music by 80 artistes, kathak and poetry recitation with instrumental music. Lok Utsav & Baul Mela, folk music, kathak, poetry recitation with instrumental music, Birbhum, Sept 12. 13
SAMBHRAMA - 2016 : KARNATAKA RAJYOTHSAVA CULTURAL PROGRAMME ON NOV 1 Sri T.S. Nagabharana, noted film director, Dr. B. Jayashree, ex-member of Rajya Sabha, Dr. Vijaya senior journalist, being felicitated. Also seen in the picture are H.N. Suresh, Director, BVB, Rtn. H.R. Ananth, District Governor - Rotary District 3190, Rtn. Ambika K. Narayan, District Director - Club Service Kuchipudi : Prateeksha Kashi and troupe 14
Mohiniattam: Rekha Raja, Sindhu Achar, Tejasvini Muralidhar, Angel John, Kamakshi Anantha Subramanya Dance drama by disciples of Guru B Bhanumathi Yakshagana by Krishnamurty Tunga and party 15
Odissi : Madhulita Mahopatra, Paridhi Joshi, Sahana R Maiya, Sonali Mohanthy, Vivekini Das, Bhanu Gupta, Banashree Mahopatra. Kathak : Disciples of Guru Nandini Mehta and Guru Murali K 16
Bharathanatya by disciples of Guru B Bhanumathi Kathakali : Prabhol Gupta PT. RAMA RAO NAIK ENDOWMENT : OCT 22. Carnatic music concert by Vidwan R K Padmanabha 17
DR. MATHOOR KRISHNAMURTI MEMORIAL CULTURAL EVENTS - KALABHARATHI STUDENTS CULTURAL PROGRAMME - NOV 6, 12, 19, 20. 2016 Sri. P. Venugopal, Regional Director, ICCR, inaugurates the Kalabharati convocation. Vidushi Vasantha Madhavi, musicologist, and Vidushi Dwaraki Krishnaswamy join him. Kalabharati awardees 18
CULTURAL PROGRAMME - NOV 6, 2016 Display of drawing and painting by students of Kalabharathi under the direction of Smt. Insha Ummehani and Sri. Karthik Carnatic vocal by students of Vidushi Bhagirathi Flute recital by students of Vidwan Omkaraiah Veena recital by students of Vidushi Rohini 19
CULTURAL PROGRAMME - NOV 6, 2016 Hindustani vocal by students of Vidwan Anandaraj Bharatanatya by the students of Smt. Sneha Harish 20
OBITUARY SPIRITED PATRON PASSES AWAY. M. Balamurali Krishna, who passed away in Chennai on Nov. 22, was a manyfaceted person, just as he was a musician of many hues. His talent lay not only in his ingenuity of singing, but in his creativity. This translated into a multi-layered persona which was simple and mirthful despite the worldwide fame he had earned an earning which continued till the end. Balamurali s association with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan goes back to over five decades. A relationship begun and cemented for the cause of music. Being involved in Bhavan s activities could not possibly have enhanced the status of the already famous Balamurali. Bhavan facilitated high quality music programmes and workshops of the awesome singer. He was too happy to be roped in for any of Bhavan s programmes anywhere in the world. Who actually benefitted M. Balamurali Krishna were scores of music students and Carnatic music lovers. Balamurali s concerts in the UK, organized by Bhavan, were hugely popular. His music workshops had the participants asking for more, for what this endearing musician gave was as much of himself as his music. Witty, spirited, lively and accessible these were his hallmark traits in any interaction. A boon to the students was that someone of his calibre taught them, an opportunity not easily available even to music aspirants at home. No request of the Bhavan to perform for it was waived by this great artiste, whose one statement Bhavanites will recall with pride is: Bhavan is a Bhavanam of music. 21
We at the Bhavan looked at him as our patron, his association with the Bhavan being so intimate and meaningful. Even as recently as two years ago, he performed for our Kolkata and Mumbai kendras with Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty. His monthlong music workshops at the London Kendra were runaway successes. He did not expect, or accept, first class or business class flight tickets. He would insist on economy class travel, reminisces Sri. K.N.Ramaswamy, Director, BVB Chennai Kendra, a veteran Bhavanite. Whatever the field of accomplishment, it is always a matter of pride to have such persons amongst us in society, especially artistes, who enrich our lives. Their presence is a feelgood factor too. True, Balamurali s music will live on. In this age of technology it will not go into oblivion. But as Bengaluru Kendra Director, Sri. H.N.Suresh sums it up: Balamurali is incomparable as a musician, composer, and creative artiste. He stood first among contemporary composers, be they his tillanas, javalis, or even his combination of swaras. His jugalbandis with the likes of Pandit Jasraj were a seamless blend of the two streams of Indian music. Today we do not have Lalgudi, Maharajapuram Santanam and the like. The music space looks blank. There is of course a lot of promise among young musicians. But there is nobody at the top to put up on the global platform like him at this point of time, which sums up Balamurali s presence in, and loss to, the music world. As a person, what one remembers immediately about this colossus of Carnatic music is his ever-smiling facade, gentle humour and zest for life. I am a proud Bhavanite as the Bhavan is the home not only for Indian art but for artistes as well. The Bhavan has stood the test of time and from a small shoot it has grown into a large banyan tree now, fostering Indian culture, Balamurali had said of the Bhavan. Need we say we will miss him in a very essential sense? 22
Sat 5.00 p.m. - ESV Hall 03. M.P. Birla Institute of Fundamental Research - Graduation Day for the students of the 100 hours certificate course and General Astronomy Course Sat 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall 10. Horizon series - Bharatanatya group dance by Ms. Veena C.S. and Party (in association with Indian Council for Cultural Relations) Fri, Sat & Sun - 4. 00 p.m. 09, 10, & 11. - BVB - Infosys Foundation programme 3 days cultural festival Venue : Anupu, Hydrabad Fri 6.00 p.m. - 09. Carnatic Vocal music by Kum. Adhiti B. Prahlad (in association with Infosys Foundation) Venue : Indian Institute of World Culture, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru PROGRAMME : DECEMBER - 2016 Fri 4.00 p.m. - Khincha Hall 23. Bhavan - BBMP Public School Annual Day Celebration Sat 6.00 p.m. - 24. BVB -Infosys Foundation Outreach programme : Veena-Venu-Violin Veena : Vidushi Shubha Santhosh Venu : Vidushi Vani Manjunath Violin : Vidushi Prema Vivek Mridanga : Vidwan Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma Ghata : Vidushi Phaneendra Bhaskara Venue : Indiranagara Sangeetha Sabha, Purandara Bhavana, 8th Main, H.A.L. 2nd Stage, (Behind Indiranagara Club) Bengaluru - 560 038. Thu 6.00 p.m. - Khincha Hall 29. Pandanallur Muthaiah Pillai Endowment Bharatanatya Dance recital by Chinmayee Kamakotika Venkatraman Disciple of Guru Smt. Revathi Satyu Sun 11.00 a.m. - ESV Hall 18. Kousalya Bai Endowment Devotional songs by Bhavan s Kalabharati students 23
BOOK POST December - 2016 24 JYOTHI RAGHURAM