The Indian Panorama

Tag: Surya

  • CAN DANCE ERASE BORDERS?

    • By Mabel Pais

    The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) presents the 2023 Erasing Borders Dance Festival (EBDF), September 23-24 in person and September 25 in person and online.

    SCHEDULE

    Saturday, Sept 23, 2023 | 6 PM, Ailey Citigroup Theater

    Ganesh Stuti dance by Jiva Performing Arts school

    Vivek, Aarthy, Surya.
    Prarthana and Amuktha. (Photos : Courtesy, iaac.us)

     

    Amuktha Samudrala and Prarthana Prashanth/choreographed by Hema Rajagopalan: Bharatanatyam

    Vivek Ramanan, Aarthy Sundar, Surya Ravi: Bharatanatyam

    Malavika Sarukkai in Bharatanatyam

    Ganesh Stuti: Jiva Performing Arts

    Jiva Performing Arts was created in 2007 by the celebrated artistic couple, Bharatanatyam dancer/choreographer, Sonali Skandan and Carnatic musician/composer, Bala Skandan. Jiva’s mission is to develop and present new voices in the classical arts of India and increase appreciation and accessibility of these timeless arts for all communities.

    Amuktha Samudrala and Prarthana Prashanth/Choreographed by Hema Rajagopalan: Bharatanatyam

    Search Within

    For centuries, ancient texts and great sages have expressed that divine spirit exists in sentient and non-sentient beings. As we expand our knowledge and realize the beauty of form – the inherent rhythms of nature resonating around us – our minds turn inwards experiencing bliss. Inspired by the interconnectedness of this macrocosm, this Bharatanatyam duet blends traditional adavus (basic dance steps) with abstract new movements, interpolating rhythmic passages with intentional moments of silence… telling the story of a soul’s search within.

    Vivek Ramanan, Aarthy Sundar, Surya Ravi: Bharatanatyam

    Vazhi – On Different Paths.

    Some of the most important catalysts of the Ramayana epic are the siblings of Ravana: Shoorpanaka, Vibhishana, and Kumbakarna. We explore the lives of these 3 siblings in the context of one another, as a family, as a set of children in the shadow of Ravana, as three individuals struggling not only over their own lives, but in their shared moments and impact on one another.

    Malavika Sarukkai in Bharatanatyam

    Kala – Time

    Concept & Choreography | Malavika Sarukkai

    Music Production & Sound Design | Sai Shravanam

    Technical Director & Light Design | Niranjan Gokhale

    “In order to understand the dance – one must be still, And in order to truly understand stillness – one must dance.” Rumi, 13th Century CE

    Kala – Time is fundamental to our lives. In the cyclical play of seasons, time is seen as a recurring motif of life and rejuvenation. In the performing arts from the Indian subcontinent, time is seen as measured in metrical cycles.

    Sunday, Sept 24, 2023 | 2 PM

    Dance workshop by Malavika Sarukkai

    Vivarta Arts.
    Project Convergence.
    Shivani Badgi group. (Photos : Courtesy, iaac.us)
    Malavika Sarukkai. (Photos : Courtesy, iaac.us)

    Sunday, Sept 24, 2023 | 6 PM, Ailey Citigroup Theater 

    Vivarta Arts Welcome Dance

    Navia Natarajan: Bharatanatyam

    Shivani Badgi and Group: Lavani

    Sonali Loomba and Nidhika Loomba: Kathak

    Manish Chauhan: Contemporary

    Project Convergence/Vikas Arun and Group

    Vivarta Arts, NYC-based, promotes Indian classical dance and music through innovative productions. Its aim is to democratize these art forms while honoring their traditions. Artistic Director Preya Patel, a Kathak dancer mentored by Gurus Jamuna Mitcham and Vaishali Trivedi, brings rich experience.

    Navia Natarajan: Bharatanatyam

    विरोधाभास | Virodhābhāsa: (Investigating the Profound Nature of Paradox)

    “Form is Emptiness. Emptiness is Form,” says the Buddhist Heart Sutra speaking of the paradox that lies at the core of all phenomena. Indeed, the world we inhabit is itself a paradox for it is both real and an appearance: Maya. And so, to better appreciate this world, one needs to look more deeply at what seems like opposites or contradictions.

    Shivani Badgi and Group: Lavani 

    Shringarik Lavani – Love through the art of Lavani

    Shringarik Lavani takes a traditional Indian folk style from the state of Maharashtra into a wonderful harmony of music, poetry, rhythm, and love. Enjoy the beats of the Dholak matched with the sound of ghungroo as you are serenaded in songs and poems of love. Dressed in Nauvari sarees (9-yard saree), Lavani will entice you back to the rule of Shivaji Maharaj. Through Baithakichi Lavani (sitting dance) and Tamasha (grand show), listen to her regale stories of lovers’ past, in joy and sadness.

    Sonali Loomba and Nidhika Loomba: Kathak

    Anhad – Limitless love

    Love, the voice says -total and pure love is the only path to divine power.

    Anhad – Limitless love is her desire, and with that, she takes her first step forward into a journey new and unknown. Through poems of Rumi, mysticism of Sufi traditions along with classical Indian dance (Kathak), the artists explore this soul-searching journey that knows no boundaries. The music and choreography are conceptualized keeping in mind the traditions of Kathak and Sufism.

    Manish Chauhan: Contemporary

    MEDITATIONS ON AN OPEN ROAD

    The dance, which is choreographed in a contemporary style with hints of Indian traditional movements, was inspired by the song ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’ (from the film ‘Shree 420’). The title depicts the idea behind the piece, which is a journey of a lone traveler, real, symbolic or abstract as it may be.

    Project Convergence

    Project Convergence is a dance company that is home to the union of Bharatanatyam and Tap Dance. The purpose of the company is to create a polyrhythm of cultures, thereby showing that two cultures can be united without having to erase the distinct identity of either. Conceived in 2019 by Vikas Arun and Ramita Ravi, and co-directed by Apoorva Natarajan, the vocabulary draws on their unusually extensive training in both classic and modern Indian and Western dance.

    Monday, Sept 25, 2023

    11 AM – 12:25 PM

    Prof Uttara Coorlawala and dance artists Panel Discussion at Barnard College/Columbia University

    Walk-in event, open to the public at Barnard College. 11:00AM-12:55PM, 409 Barnard Hall

    6 – 8 PM

    Dr. Sunil Kothari Memorial Lecture with Padma Shri Malavika Sarukkai organized by IAAC and New York Public Library (Live)

    Location: The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, 40 Lincoln Centre Plaza, New York, NY 10023

    Online Virtual performance on IAAC Youtube and Facebook

    Monday, Sept 25, 2023 | 7 PM

    Online Virtual performance on IAAC Youtube and Facebook

    Prachi Saathi: Bharatanatyam

    Pritam Das: Bharatanatyam

    Hridya Haridas: Mohiniyattam

    Krishnakshi Kashyap and Group: Sattriya

    Urja Desai Thakore: Kathak

    Prachi Sathi: Bharatanatyam

    When Walls Dance

    ‘When Walls Dance’ is a unique live performance that brings together the classical dance form of Bharata Natyam, Animation & tribal Warli art together to tell the story of a little girl Champa and her beloved tree. It is a jugalbandi (duet) of different artistic practices across different storytelling media to trigger urgent and important conversations about our relationship with ourselves and our surroundings.

    Pritam Das: Bharatanatyam

    LEAP OF SUPPORT

    In this work Pritam Das narrates the story of when he was a four-year-old boy from a small Bengal village who fell hopelessly in love with dance. This bold and unabashed declaration of love resulted in his loving mother holding his hand tightly to enroll him in Bharatanatyam dance classes.

    Hridya Haridas: Mohiniyattam

    Amba

    Amba was a princess who enjoyed great happiness as a princess and daughter of the King of Kasi, alongside her sisters Ambika and Ambalika. In her youth she fell in love with King Salwa from a neighboring kingdom. However, due to a turn of fate, she was abducted by the patriarch of Hastinapura, Bheeshma, for his nephew. When both men reject her, she feels let down by the standards set by society. She realizes that she is unable to achieve anything as a ‘hopeless woman’.

    Krishnakshi Kashyap and Group: Sattriya

    Prokriti- A saga of mother Earth

    Prokriti- A saga of mother Earth, revolves around the depiction of the beauty of nature and the need for awareness about environmental exploitation and the need for human action.

    Urja Desai Thakore: Kathak

    Kabir and I

    A short dance-theatre work where the protagonist finds solace in Kabir’s poetry while confronting the loss of a family matriarch. The narrative follows their questioning of the significance of life’s pursuits, the purpose of celebration and mourning, and the existence of God.

    For more information on EBDF’s each day’s events, curator bios and more, visit iaac.us/erasing-borders-dance-festival-2023

    The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC)

    The INDO-AMERICAN ARTS COUNCIL organization is passionately dedicated to promoting, showcasing and building an awareness of the arts and artists whose heritage lies in India in the performing arts, visual arts, literary arts and folk arts. For more information,  visit iaac.us.

    (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)

  • Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tirlok Malik is a leading voice for Indian American cinema

    Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tirlok Malik is a leading voice for Indian American cinema

    By Murtaza Ali Khan

    New York-based Emmy-nominated Indian-American actor and filmmaker Tirlok Malik, who has been a leading voice for Indian American cinema, has made many important films about the Indian diaspora right from Lonely In America to Love lust and Marriage to Khushiyaan to On Golden years. He has been a part of many big stars films as a line producer such as with actors Rajnikanth, Surya, Kamal Hassan, Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol, and Anupam Kher, Kangana Ranaut, Manisha Koirala, Deepti Naval, among others. He attended the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa last month.

    In an interview with the Indian public broadcaster Doordarshan at the festival, Malik spoke about his films as well as about the experience of attending the film festival. “Coming to IFFI is always very special as one gets to meet fellow filmmakers and so it’s always very stimulating for the mind. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of visiting the biggest film festivals in the US, Europe, Asia and elsewhere. And I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I tell you that visiting IFFI this year has been one of my best festival experiences ever,” rejoices Malik.

    The Indian-American film industry has undergone a lot of changes since Malik made Lonely in America. “When I made Lonely in America there were hardly any films about Indian immigrants. But the film’s success opened up new horizons for young filmmakers who wanted to touch upon similar issues,” recollects Malik who feels that the Indian-American film industry needs greater support from the Indian-American audience. “I have always felt that filmmaking is one area that Indians living in the USA need to make a bigger mark. There is a lot of talent and hopefully they will get a chance to shine. In times to come I see it growing into a much bigger film industry,” opines Malik.

    Malik offers a very interesting assessment of films and filmmaking in India “The filmmaking is great in India.It caters to more than a billion viewers worldwide.Films are still a major source of entertainment for Indian audience,” Malik explains. He further adds, “Hollywood can make a lot more films with Indian themes as well as films shot in India more often. There is a lot of scope for this. Also, Indian filmmakers can also make films In India for International market as well. However, many Indian film makers, especially the big ones seem to be happy just doing Indian films for the Indians and have a safe market. But, some do take the risk of making independent films with artistic approach.”

    Malik strongly believes that a lot more can be done. “India has talent, lots of talent in all aspects of filmmaking. I have seen the talent while working as a line producer In New York on films with Kamal Haasan, Rajnikanth, Surya, Sunny Deol, Kangna Ranaut, Mamoothy, Sanjay Dutt, Anupam Kher and many more. The tech crews from India are really great. Filmmaking trends are improving and changing, new talent is experimenting with content and style,” rejoices Malik.

    Tirlok Malik is interviewed by Doordarshan in Goa.

    Piracy is one of the major challenges faced by the film industry. Despite all the efforts to keep it under check, it has continued to plague the filmmaking world. Malik feels that piracy is a byproduct of technology. “Piracy will not go away no matter what, for it comes with advantages and disadvantages of technology. That’s why we need to work more on the accessibility of the content. If good content is made available to the audiences at affordable rates and in a timely manner the viewers would themselves be encouraged to abstain from engaging in piracy,” opines Malik. Malik, whose last outing was a short film titled ‘To New India with Love,’ is currently developing two projects. “One is Hollywood film like Lonely in America having a mix of Indian and international cast. The film will be made in the English language and it will be for the worldwide market. It will have actors from India and from USA. The film will have some Bollywood musical songs and American music as well. It’s a romantic musical love drama with a unique story. The other project is to be done In India. It’s a children’s film in English for worldwide market promoting Indian spiritual values,” reveals Malik who is looking forward to welcoming 2023 and wishing everyone health, happiness and prosperity.

    A Still from Malik’s On Golden Years. The film celebrated old age.

    (Murtaza Ali Khan is an Indian Film & TV Critic / Journalist who has been covering the world of entertainment for over 10 years. He tweets at @MurtazaCritic and can be mailed at: murtaza.jmi@gmail.com).