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 taught us much. I came away with no regrets about having done it, but lots of questions. Tomorrow will be an experience too. With a performance scheduled, it will be strange if there are just two people, and even stranger if there are fewer.Maybe more will show up; maybe not. If nothing else, twenty years of training in Bharatanatyam will stand us in good stead. It helps when dance is flowing through your veins! … [Read more...]
Abhinaya – A Workshop on Indian Classical Dance
This weekend, we bring to you a dance workshop - Abhinaya ... … [Read more...]
Nayanabhinaya
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 workshop on Abhinaya at The Cultural Centre. Dates: 26th and 27th July, 2014 Time: 5 pm - 7 pm Fee: Rs. 1,500 … [Read more...]
Hastaabhinaya – expressing through your hands
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 and a thumb, the number of mudras we can form is extensive. Codified by the Natya Shastra, a treatise on dramaturgy, mudras form the base of Indian classical dance.What makes a mudra beautiful? What can we express with our hands? Who sets down these rules? How can I understand something I see? Expression through our hands - Hastaabhinaya. At "Abhinaya", our dance workshop at The Cultural Centre. … [Read more...]
Abhinaya: A Dance Workshop
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 and drama. It involves the aspect of dance that deals with storytelling, expression and emotion.Come, experience the richness and depth of abhinaya with us at "Abhinaya: A Workshop on Indian Classical Dance" at The Cultural Centre later this month.Dates: 26th and 27th July, 2014 Time: 5 pm - 7 pm Fee: Rs. 1,500For more details, do contact me or call: 09764441478 … [Read more...]
Workshop Coming Soon …
We are conducting a dance workshop (followed by a performance) soon ...I will share the details in the next few days! … [Read more...]
Storytelling with Varsha – Tomorrow!
Here are some pictures from the past. See you tomorrow!Storytelling with Varsha Age-group: 5-8 years Venue: Friends Library, Salunke Vihar Road Registration Fee: Rs. 350 Date: 20th June, 2014 (Friday) Time: 6 pm to 7 pm … [Read more...]
Storytelling at Friends Library, Pune
When I conducted a reading workshop at Friends Library, many parents came to me and asked me to do something for younger children.Finally, here is a storytelling workshop for the littler ones.Venue: Friends Library, Salunke Vihar Road, Pune Date: 20th June, 2014 (Friday) Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fee: Rs. 350 … [Read more...]
Storytelling Photographs
Here are a couple of photographs from my storytelling session at The Cultural Centre.Looking forward to my next workshop! … [Read more...]
Storytelling at The Cultural Centre, Pune
What better place to tell stories than in the silence of a place surrounded by nature?The Cultural Centre Pune is ideal.I had a truly enjoyable session with five children from three different countries. In keeping with the international spirit, we told stories from three different countries. And then, I had the fortune of listening to a fascinating story told by one of the children there - about a tiger and a wild boar. It is about the wild boar's unhappiness at not getting a return gift at the tiger's birthday party. So much does he complain and so generous is the tiger, that the wild boar ultimately gets a 'BIG' internet connection. In addition, his complaints earn him a lamp, a torch, a cooking pot, a pair of shoes and a man, each as large as the room we were in!Working with children opens the mind. I can only just imagine the wild boar sitting with his big internet … [Read more...]