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Varsha Seshan

Day One: Abhinaya

July 26, 2014 by Varsha Seshan 2 Comments

The day was full of surprises, with just two participants for our workshop. We had questions about whether we should cancel. We decided against it, and perhaps it was a good thing. The workshop was an experience. Things that we had planned could not take place simply because there were not enough people. Yet, it […]

Filed Under: Dance, Dance Workshops Tagged With: art, Bharatanatyam, culture, performance, programme, workshop

Abhinaya – A Workshop on Indian Classical Dance

July 25, 2014 by Varsha Seshan Leave a Comment

This weekend, we bring to you a dance workshop – Abhinaya …

Filed Under: Dance, Dance Workshops Tagged With: art, Bharatanatyam, culture, performance, programme, workshop

Performances and Workshops

July 23, 2014 by Varsha Seshan Leave a Comment

Many books on dance talk about how the layman likes quick movements and rhythmic pieces. There is a certain amount of condescension when dancers write about quick eye-movements and complicated-looking footwork because all of that is eye-wash. It is easy showmanship for an uninitiated audience. The true connoisseurs of art, say dancers, are those who […]

Filed Under: Dance, Dance Workshops

Nayanabhinaya

July 12, 2014 by Varsha Seshan Leave a Comment

What is Nayanabhinaya? Divide the word and we get “Nayana” (eyes) and “Abhinaya” (loosely translated as expression). The eyes are an essential part of Indian classical dance, and that is one of the reasons why they are highlighted with thick kohl. The eyes express emotion and create beauty. Learn the basics of Nayanabhinaya at our […]

Filed Under: Dance, Dance Workshops Tagged With: art, Bharatanatyam, culture, performance, programme, workshop

Hastaabhinaya – expressing through your hands

July 4, 2014 by Varsha Seshan Leave a Comment

Classical dance is a language that has the power to express your deepest emotions. When we learn a language from scratch, where do we begin? When you read, you begin with A-B-C; when you sing you begin with Do Re Mi … The alphabet of dance consists of mudras or patterns formed with your hands. With four fingers […]

Filed Under: Dance, Dance Workshops Tagged With: art, Bharatanatyam, performance, workshop

Abhinaya: A Dance Workshop

July 1, 2014 by Varsha Seshan Leave a Comment

What is abhinaya? Does it really just mean ‘expression’? Etymologically, abhinaya comes from two words ‘abhi’ (towards) and ‘niya’ (leading). So, Abhinaya leads you, the audience towards something. And what is that something? Rasa – aesthetic pleasure. Considering that these ideas come from the Natya Shastra, the abhinaya aspect of dance is linked to theatre […]

Filed Under: Dance, Dance Workshops Tagged With: art, Bharatanatyam, culture, programme, workshop

Workshop Coming Soon …

June 29, 2014 by Varsha Seshan 2 Comments

We are conducting a dance workshop (followed by a performance) soon … I will share the details in the next few days!

Filed Under: Dance, Dance Workshops Tagged With: academy, art, Bharatanatyam, culture, India, performance, programme, workshop

Thank you!

April 28, 2014 by Varsha Seshan Leave a Comment

For all those who came and watched me and listened to me at Art Hop Pune, thank you! I began with almost no one in my audience. In five minutes, there were over twenty people – a large number in such a small place. And as I was doing my last piece, the place was […]

Filed Under: Dance, Dance Workshops Tagged With: art, Bharatanatyam, culture, performance, programme, story, story-catcher, workshop

Lecture Demonstration at Art Hop Pune

April 27, 2014 by Varsha Seshan Leave a Comment

Nritta is one of the two pillars of the magnificent structure called dance. Nritta is pure technique, with no hidden symbolism, no complex meaning and no detailed explanation involved. What is the purpose, then, of nritta? That’s one of the modules of today’s lecture demonstration at Oakwood Sen5es at 5pm. Be part of Art Hop […]

Filed Under: Dance, Dance Workshops Tagged With: art, Bharatanatyam, culture, performance, programme, workshop

Workshop on Rasa at Art Hop Pune

April 24, 2014 by Varsha Seshan Leave a Comment

I will be facilitating a short workshop on Rasa: Understanding the Aesthetics of Indian Classical Dance on Sunday the 27th of April, 2014, at Oakwood Sen5es at 5pm as part of Art Hop Pune. I hope to see you there!

Filed Under: Dance, Dance Workshops