Press Release
St. Louis Indian Dance Festival- 2010
Indian classical dances have been practiced and perfected for nearly two
thousand years. The first text book of Indian Performing Arts – “Natya Shastra”,
written two millennia ago, provided valuable information on Theater and
Performing arts for artists and art-students for many centuries.
Most of the Indian performing arts including dance, music and theater
have been developed further and enhanced based on this great resource guide.
St. Louis Indian Dance Festival brings alive the gems of this book to the
Greater St. Louis area in the form of Indian classical and folk dances by
inviting great artists from India and USA.
The second-generation Indian Americans, who have made this proud country
their home, are very eager to share the eternal knowledge of performing arts,
which they have mastered in the USA with their Indian peers. Hence bring an
awareness of Indian Performing Arts to St. Louis area.
Soorya Performing Arts, a St. Louis based ‘not-for-profit’ organization for the
promotion of dance and music, is bringing together more than 100 artists to
present beautiful Indian classical dances such as Bharathanatyam, Kathak,
Kuchipudi, Mohini Attam, Odissi and other styles on one platform. It also offers
the avenue for innovative artists striving to create new trends by merging
Indian and American values. There will be two innovative works showcased at the
3-day festival, “Fanaa” and “Yatra” along with several major productions–
1.
“Fanaa“ - A dance production based on the conflict between the physical
boundaries of India and Kashmir. This production, choreographed by Guru Prasanna
Kasthuri, from St. Louis, MO,
highlights the need for peace and reconciliation among conflicting minds and
populations, especially highlighting world peace in times of turmoil such as the
experiences of Afghanistan and the like.
2.
“Yatra“ (Journey) - An amazing Kuchipudi performance choreographed by Guru
Anuradha Nehru, artistic director of Kuchipudi Kalanidhi, an organization from
Washington DC, explores dances
based on Western classical pieces. Visit
http://www.kalanidhi.org/ for more details
3.
“Paramananda” - A unique dance
production in 7 different languages
performed by a troupe of 16 dancers,
choreographed by Guru Nirmala Madhav, Artistic
Director of Pampa Dance Academy, San
Jose, California. Visit www.pampans.com for more details
4.
A song and Story – A story on Women’s issues, narrates the story in English and
performers use aerial techniques. Choreographed by Aparna Sindhoor, from
Boston, Massachusetts, the
dance item is based on Bharathanatyam, Yoga, Martial Arts and Theatre.
The performance encompasses spoken word,
dance, theatre and contact improvisation in a powerful way to engage the
audience.
Visit http://www.navarasa.org/ for more
details.
5.
Surya Namaskar – A special work involving the renowned Yoga practice of surya
namaskar (oblation to the Sun) will be presented by Asha Gopal and her dance
company from Phoenix, AZ.
Visit http://www.arathischoolaz.com/
for more details
6.
Madhumitha Roy – A professional Kathak artiste from
Calcutta, India who is touring
the USA, will be presenting rare pieces of the traditions of this dance form.
Visit http://www.madhumitaroy.com/
for more details.
7.
Suryanarayana Murthy – Mr. Murthy from
Chennai, India, is known for his perfect technique in two Indian
dance styles – Bharathanatyam and Kathakali. He will be combining both these
styles to present traditional Indian pieces. Visit
http://www.thehorizons.com/dancers/murthy/bio.htm for more details
8.
Smitha Rajan, from St. Louis, MO,
comes from a lineage of legendary Mohiniattam and Kathakali artists, presents,
the enchanting Mohini Attam. Visit
http://smitharajan.tripod.com/ for more details
9.
Kathak Performances by Anila Sinha Foundation,
Chicago, Illinois. Visit
http://www.asfkathak.com/Repertoire.html for more details.
Other features of this festival include
1.
Kuchipudi by Yamini Saripalli – A St. Louisian, settled on the
Baltimore, MD, representing
the second generation of Indian Americans who has passionately taken on dance
and will present traditional Kuchipudi pieces.
2.
Yakshagana – A folk dance form from Karnataka performed by Kedlaya & Party from
Indianapolis, IN.
3.
Indique – Young Indian Americans
from Dallas, Texas, present
new idiom of Indian dance
4.
Dashavatharam by Mudra, a dance group
from University of Missouri, Columbia,
presents
Odissi dance style directed by Adithi
Bandhopadhyaya
5.
Bharathanatyam from the pioneer St.
Louis dance academy, Asha Prem’s ‘Dances of India’.
6.
Kolata (rhythmic stick dances)– A folk dance from St. Louis Sangama Kannada
association, St. Louis, MO.
7.
Raas - Folk dance from western state of India, Gujarat presented by Dance Group
- “Nartan” and choreographed by Neelima Bhavsar, from
St. Louis, MO.
8.
Apart from these, scores of Indian dance schools from St. Louis, Detroit,
Minnesota will be participating in this festival
The venue is the Clayton High School auditorium and the 3-day festival will be
held on April 16, 17, and 18, 2010. Tickets will be sold at Metrotix and also
available during the performance.
This performance is supported by generous grants from the Missouri Arts Council
and the Regional Arts Commission and additionally supported by local Indian
businesses such as Mayuri India Restaurant, House of India, International
Diamonds, Abhinaya, Seema Enterprises and Nithyananda Vedanta Temple.
For details please visit
www.sooryadance.com
Photos for Publicity
A beautiful posture in Bharathanatyam by Guru Prasanna Kasthuri
An elegant solutation by Kuchupudi Kalanidhi
A song and Story by Aparna Sindhoor
Odissi Pose by Adithi Bandopadhyay
