Bios of Artists from India performing in Mruchchakatika shows in Sept 2012
1.
Guru Pulikeshi Kasthuri: Pulikeshi had his
initial training under Smt.Lalitha Srinivsan, later from Smt Narmada and
rigorous training in all aspects of dance from his brother Prasanna Kasthuri. A
recipient of the govt. of India scholarship, he has also been trained under Smt
Ranjani Ganesan, an alumni of Kalakshetra. He holds a Master degree in dance
from the Bangalore University. He has undergone training in martial arts of
Manipur from Sri Sonar Chand and Sri Khilton Nongmaiten, Kalaripayattu from Sri
Anil Kumar, Kerala, Abhinaya from T K Mahalingam Pillai and Kathak from Smt.Maya
Rao.
Gifted with a magical voice, Pulikeshi
with his stronghold on Laya (Rhythm) and his perfect pronunciation has been
acclaimed as the best Nattuvangist of Bangalore and has been invited by all
popular dancers of South India to accompany them on dance performances.
Pulikeshi has undergone training in nattuvangam from his brother Prasanna
Kasthuri and later learnt the intricacies from B R Sheshadri (Kanna), a well
known mrudangist. Some of the artists with whom he has worked are Vani
Ganapathy, Pratibha Prahlad, Shridhars, Vyjayanthi Kashi, Indira Kadambi,
Ranjani Ganesan, Vivek Kinra (New Zealand), Malani KrishnaMurthy (California,
USA), Lakshmi GopalaSwamy, Poornima Ashok and many more. His workshops in
nattuvangam have been popular and the number of students attending his workshop
is growing every season. He has conducted 5 workshops in Bangalore, San Antonio
and St.Louis. Pulikeshi has conducted nattuvangam to arangetrams in Nashik &
Bangalore, which is a unique and honourable invitation from teachers to conduct
nattuvangam for their disciples.
Pulikeshi holds a choreography degree from
the Natya Institute of Kathak and choreography, Bangalore University under the
tutelage of Guru Maya Rao. He has choreographed ballets like Bakasura Vadha,
Kirataarjuniya, Raghava Vyayoga, Matadaana, and Usha Parinaya and has assisted
his brother in choreographic works like Subhadra Parinaya, Maheswari
Vamshothpathi, Bali Moksha and Ashta Nayakaru.
As a member of "Tribhang" he visited
England, France and Switzerland. Along with Maya Rao he visited the Middle East.
As a Nattuvangist he has traveled Djibouti, Ethiopia, Russia, Europe and USA.
He has participated in dance festivals like the Soorya dance festival,
Soorya festival, Nitya Nruthya, National Jamboree 93, Natyotsava-96, EFCEP 98,
Swarna Bharathi 98, Kanagal Festival, Golden Celebrations of Keshava Nruthya
Shala Bangalore, Mysore Dasara celebrations, Sangeeth Nataka Academy festival in
Bangalore 2002, Eka Aneka, etc. Pulikeshi teaches dance at Kenshri International
School and at Shanthala Arts academy, Bangalore. He also conducts classes in
nattuvangam to deserving students. Pulikeshi has been awarded by Aryabhata award
as the best Nattuvanar of decade. He
was specially recognized by Kinkini organization for his 25 years of yeoman
service to the field of dances.
2.
Hiriya Rangabhumi Kalavida - Soorappa
Sathyanarayana Murthy: Sri Murthy was born in 1942 in Tarikere,
Chickamagalore district. He was actively involved in Kannada Nataka since his
childhood. His very first drama was the famous “Home Rule” of T. P. Kailasam
presented in 1953 in Chickamagalore. Later years, he got involved in series of
prestigious drama productions such as Kuvempu’s Raktakshi in 1955. He competed
in many state level drama competition in many parts of Karnataka such as Hassan,
Bhadravati, Bangalore, Mysore, Ajjampura, Davanagere, Jog Falls, Tiptur under
the banner of “Havyasi Kalavidara Balaga”. He won a gold medal for his
superb acting as a Brahmin in Kuvempu’s famous drama – “Shudra Tapasvi”;
silver medal for his enchanting role of “Sita” in yet another Kuvempu’s play
– “Valmikiya Bhagya”; 1st prize for his “LADY ROLE” in the play
“KALAHAKUTHUHALA.” The other plays he acted were “BADIGE MANE”, “HUCHA”,
“AKKA-PAKKA”, “HAGALU-IRULIU”, “MEENINAHEJJE”, “BEG-BORROW OR STEEL”, “SAMRAT
ASHOKA”., “KANAKANAKINDI” and many more.
3.
Vasantha Nidigere: Vasantha Nidigere is a
well-known social worker, dramatist, sportswoman and management specialist, who
was recognized for her high achievements as a problem solver. She actively
participated in the development of Mahila mandala in Muthyalanagara, Bangalore.
She acted in several plays in her college days and created performing teams in
her workplace in KSRTC. She performs with drama teams in Bangalore. Her
recent comedy productions such as “Postappana Pajiti”, “Seere versus Pant” won
accolades. She is a certified yoga instructor, who volunteers to teach
yoga and pranayama to needy. Apart from drama acting, she has focused on
bringing synergy across urban women through her involvement in Ekta Mahila
Association, in which she brought out creative activities – such as Essay
writing, poetry, Vachana Sathitya Dhare, Bhagavadgeethe recital and many more.
Other friends who are participating are
Vinod Shenoy (a man with golden voice); Gopinath Joshi (A great scholar himself, is an avid theatre person); Rakesh Gounda( A dedicated volunteer, who is venturing into his first drama), Chinamayi Matt ( A great Bharathanatyam dancer, who is also a good actress), Shwetha Nag (A great Bharathanatyam dancer and a natural actress); shanthi Krishna (a great designer); Prahlad (a great actor and a volunteer for Soorya Performing Arts)
The senior dance students of Guru Prasanna Kasthuri - Shalini Subbarao, Misri Patel, Annuja Mathivanan, Keertana Jain, Shubhi Sanjeev, will participate in the dance portions. Samanvita Kasthuri, daughter os Guru Prasanna Kasthuri, will sing, act and dance in this production.
As a special guest - Nivedita Rao, will perform in AKKA sammelana.
Our other small guest artists are
Niharika Nagendra, Sanjana Prabhakar, Samhita Prabhakar, Arna Gowda, Mira Iyer, Anoushka Gounda
Lighting will be performed by Vinu Sharma on Sept 14, 15, 16.