Soorya (Singapore) presents
Soorya Global Festival of Indian Dance & Music November 2009
Date : 8 November 2009 (Sunday)
Time : 6:30 PM
Venue:
Singapore Chinese Orchestra Concert Hall or Singapore Conference Hall
(7 Shenton Way, Singapore Conference Hall, Singapore 068810, The nearest MRT station,
Tanjong Pagar, from Exit E is a 4-minute walk to the Singapore Conference Hall.
Opposite to DBS Tower1.)
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The Dhananjayans
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The dancing couple of Bhaarat, India, Shanta and Dhananjayan , popularly
known as the The Dhananjayans, are two of the most prominent alumni of the
famed Kalakshetra founded by the legendry Smt. Rukminidevi. After spending almost
two decades in Kalakshetra as student, performing artists and teachers, both came
out and established Bharatakalanjali, now one of the most well known dance institutions
in the country as well as internationally.
In the recent publication of book titled "The Melodic Garland" authored by Sri.
N.Rajagopalan IAS (Retd) pays a glowing tribute to the Dhananjayans: "If the Dhananjayans
have established themselves as top Bharatanatyam artistes of wondrous repute, it
is no small tribute to their magnificent perseverance, personality, matchless artistry,
innovative acumen, musical and dancing expertise and specialization in choreography
and other vital fields..." says Mr. Rajagopal.
For the last four and half decades Dhananjayan and Shanta - the inimitable couple
of Indian art and culture, have been reigning the classical dance arena as the most
sought after Bharatanatyam dancers in India. It is widely accepted among the connoisseurs
of performing art and artists that what Pt. Ravi Shankar has done to Indian music
in the western world, the Dhananjayans have done to Indian dance in the recent past.
Their frequent tours abroad since 1970, and performances, lecture demonstrations
and workshops for various foreign Universities and Indian organizations, were trend
setters for others to emulate good standards and professionalism.
The Dhananjayans have choreographyed and produced varieties of traditional, contemporary,
socially relevant themes in dance and brought in trend setting innovative technique
in Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance scene in India. There are 25 major theatrical
productions and 10 short thematic dance features, apart from several solo and group
Bharatanatyam items to their credit.
Their much acclaimed collaborative works with western choreographers of high repute
are notable contributions to the contemporary dance theatres with innovations in
traditional creativity. The Jungle Book (both in UK and USA), Return of Spring (UK),
Chakra (NY) Satyam-Sivam-sundaram (an ecumenical theme USA) are some of the collaborative
works the Dhananjayans have done abroad. A close associate of Bharataratna Pt. Ravi
Shankar, the living legend, the Dhananjayans gave the visual form to his pet project,
a musical theatre "Ghanashyam-the broken branch".
They have been decorated with several national and international awards. In India
they are acknowledged as "new trend setters" in classicl traditions and given a
new dimension to choreography in Indian dance theatre. As teachers par excellence,
they are held in high esteem in the realm of Indian clasical dances. The dance academy
founded by them, the Bharatakalanjali at Chennai, is an eloquent testimony to their
cultural integrity, preservation and popularization of art and culture. As highly
motivated educationalists, they have recently founded a new art integrated educational
center in Kerala, a promise for the new era, known as the Bhaarateeya Saamskaarika
Kalaa Rangam (in short Bhaaskara) which emphasis the value based education and revive
the lost values in society. A residential art integrated academic educational center
is already on its way, promising a wave in cultural awakening.
They have been awarded many awards like Sangeet Natak Academy (Presidential Award),
Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy Fellowship, Kalaimamani Award from Iyal Isai Nataka
Mandram, Nritya Choodamani Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Haridas Sammelan Sursingar
Sansad Mumbai "Nrityavillas" Award, Scroll of Honour Arts and Crafts Magazine, Live
Magazine Achievement Award (Ohio State Academy Award), Plaque of Honour awarded
by the Governor of Ohio State for excellent Community Service and International
Understanding through Art, Munshi Centenary Commemorative Award, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan, London UK, UNESCO Paris, Medallion De Merit.
More details of this great couple : The Dhananjayans
VP Dhananjayan
Shanta Dhananjayan
Awards & Accolades
for the Duo
Reviews
*A Masterpiece from a Master Craftsman
Dhananjayan's 70-minute long expose 'Nandanar Charitam' in Kalakshetra, Chennai,
was one that every artist aspires for, the ultimate performance that moves an audience
to tears, one that will be remembered (The Horizons-Art, Culture and Lifestyles
from India-10/10/2003)
*Flavours of Gita Govind
Shantha and V.P. Dhananjayan's performance exemplified their approach to choreography
for a pair, dancing in tandem as well as in contrast to each other. (The Hindu-Friday
Review-Aug 18, 2006-Friday)
Dance : Accompanying Artistes
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Seetha Sasidharan
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Seetha Sasidharan is a disciple of The Dhanajayans & she is a senior member
of Bharathakalanjali, Chennai and is the Director of Bharathakalanjali Payyanur.
Seetha Sasidharan hails from a family of Bharathanatyam & kathakali artistes. Her
dance coalesces the tradition bound purity of her gurus, The Dhanajayans. Having
graduated with first class from the world renowned institution The Kalakshetkra
College of Fine Arts Chennai, Seetha trained under Dhanajayans for 10 years at Bharatha
Kalanjali, arning post diploma Natya poorna in Bharathanatyam. She has received
various awards and recognition including the Lakshmi Viswanathan Prize for Excellence
from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, Yuvakala Ratna award from Kaladarpanam, Ernakulam
and Vocational Excellence award instituted by Rotary Club, Payyanur.
Seetha has participated in all the major productions of Kalakshethra and Bharathakalanjali.
She has performed in major dance festivals including The Natyanjali Dance Festival,Chidambaram,
Soorya Festival, Nishagandhi Festival ,Trivandrum and also Ananya Dance Festival
, New Delhi. She has travelled all over India & abroad. She started Bharathakalanjali,
branch of Bharathakalanjali Chennai at Payyanur with an intention to propagate pure
Indian classical dances with the blessings of her paternal uncle & aunt , The Dhanajayans.
Reviews
Seetha Sasidharans presentation of the lamenting heroine about the deceitful Krishna
in Bala Vinave was good. Seetha's handling of this number was one of elam and graceful
approach... The Hindu.
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Gopukiran .S / Gopukiran Sadasivan
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Gopukiran, a disciple of The Dhananjayans and is staff of Bharatakalanjali
Chennai has a First Rank in Master of Arts degree in Bharatanatyam from the University
of Madras. Gopukiran has made a name for himself as one of the best male Bharatanatyam
artistes following the best traditions of the The Dhanajayans . He has earlier studied
under Smt. Girija Chandran of Regatta Cultural Academy, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Gopukiran has featured in many dance presentations of eminent Gurus in Chennai and
has become a sought-after male dancer. He was selected to visit the USA by the Cleveland
Cultural Alliance to participate in their very successful production "EakaanthaSeetha".
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Divya Shiva Sunder
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Divya is one of the senior disciples of The Dhananjayans and staff at Bharathakalanjali,
Chennai. Hailing from a family of artistes she took to dancing at a very young age.
Divya is a recipient of a scholarship from the Govt of India. She has performed
all over India & abroad. In the "Mahabharatham" in US , "Aikya Bharatham" in Middle
East, "Chakra" Event of the year in US , "Soorya Festival" in Europe. She was selected
by Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company to be their guest artiste in London. She has
participated and played lead roles in all the major productions of her gurus. She
is also a B grade artiste of Chennai Doordarshan. She is the recipient of Yuva Kala
Bharathi from Bharat Kalachar. Divya holds a degree in Economics, from the University
of Madras.
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Lavanya Raghuram
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Lavanya is a disciple of the The Dhananjayans. She is from Alapana Arts,
Singapore.
She is also an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, Carnatic Music Singer, Violinist
and Theatre Actress rolled in-one.
Lavanya is the only Singaporean to have presented a solo Bharatanatyam production
titled 'Alchemy of Opposites' for Singapore's landmark cultural theatre, The Esplanade
- theatres on the bay, to a full house.
Recently, on 1 January 2009, Lavanya was conferred the prestigious title of 'Natya
Chudar' by Karthik Fine Arts (Chennai, India). She is the only Singaporean to receive
this title thus far.
Lavanya's performances have received laudable reviews in prestigious media publications
such as The Hindu.
Lavanya also hails from a rich musical background. She is the granddaughter of Sangita
Kalanidhi Dr S Ramanathan. Her parents are accomplished musicians & Gurus in Singapore.
Lavanya was the recipient of the 1st Prize for Indian Classical Violin at the National
Indian Music competition held by the National Arts Council - the apex body for Music,
Dance and Drama in Singapore. Currently, she is a panelist with the Indian Programmes
Advisory Committee (IPAC) for the Media Development Authority, Singapore.
Lavanya is a graduate of Singapore Management University with majors in Accounting
& Law. She is presently working as a Tax Associate at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Singapore.
Additionally, Lavanya serves an honorary Bharatanatyam tutor at Alapana Arts. Through
lecture demonstrations, master classes, workshops and seminars, Lavanya shares her
thoughts on Bharatanatyam and its propagation in its purest form in Singapore.
Musicians (For dance)
Sasidharan also hails from a family of musicians, having had his basic training
from his mother and later under Dr K J Jyesudas and is presently learning under
Sangeetha Vidwan Shri P S Narayanswamy Iyer. He has a Masters in Arts, Indian Music
vocal from Madras University.
He is the vocal musician for Bharathakalanjali's Dance Troupe of the Dhanajayans.He
has performed in all the major Gana Sabhas of Chennai, all over India and extensively
abroad, Asia , Europe, Australia & united States. He sang in a live classical carnatic
concert for the San Francisco Radio in 1998 for 4 hrs. Recipient of the titles "Isai
Chemmal" from the Indira GandhiIlakkiya mandram 1993, "Isai Mani" form Bharathi
Youth Asoociation,Chennai in 1995.
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K.P. Ramesh Babu ( Mridangam)
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Ramesh Babu is an accomplished from Chennai. He hails from a family known
for its artistic talents. His father KP Bhaskara Das directs an art Institute in
Kerala. Ramesh started to learn percussion at an early age from his father and from
his teacher Shri Puthukode. S. Krishna. His mother Kalamandalam Chandrika a noted
Bharathanatyam dancer helped him train as an accompanist for dance.His passion for
music & dance led him to his guru Shri Karaikudi R. Mani.
Ramesh babu has won many prizes in the All india Radio Music Competitions. His versatility
earned him a scholarship from the Cultural Department of India. He is now a free
lance artiste and has accompanied some of the finest musicians & dancers n the media
& stage.He has accompanied dance luminaries such as The Dhanajayans, Krishnaveni
laxman, Chandrasekhars,Narasimhacharis,Leela Sampson,Madhavi Mudhagal, Alarmel valli
and several upcoming artistes.He has accompanied music virtuosos such as BV Raman
and Laxmanan, Vairamangalam lasminarayanan,Sriram Parasuramand Anuradha Sriram,
Palai CK Ramachandran, OS Arun,and TV Ramaprasad. He has worked as a dance accompanist
with the Dhanajayans at Baharathakalanjali in Chennai for the past 16 yrs. He has
travelled throughout, Asia, Europe, Australia & United States assisting several
dance companies world over by providing rhythmical support, scores & compositions.
For the past several years Ramesh has worked closely with dance companies such as
Kalanjali dances of India,Californis, Apsaras Arts, Singapore, Bharath Kalanjali
Australia. He has played in important occasions such as Khajuraho Dance festival,
Konark Dance Festival, India International Centre, Swaralaya Festival, Soorya Festival
and Indian Art Circle,Kuwait, San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival etc. Apart from
being a percussion virtuso with proficiency over several types of percussion instruments,
Ramesh has many music compositions to his credit. His skill, versatility and sophistication
have earned him high praise from critics and audiences world over.
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Kalaiarasan Ramanathan (Violin)
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Kalaiarasan hails from a family of musicians. He is a disciple of Dhanadevi
Mithradeve and graduated (Sangeetha Bhushanam) with honours from Annamalai University
. He has several gold medals to his credit, South India University Competition at
Andhra University, Chennai Tamil Isai Sangam Competition etc. He is a B grade artiste
in All India Radio , Chennai. He is a staff of Bharatha Kalanjali , Chennai and
has taken part in all the productions of The Dhanajayans. He has performed at major
festivals in India & abroad & has also accompanied several leading Bharathanatyam
artistes in India & abroad.
Vocal Concert
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Trivandrum Krishnakumar & Binny Krishnakumar
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Trivandrum Krishnakumar Born in 1973 to Prof.Y.Kalyanasundaram and
vocal musician Smt.Sarada Kalyanasundaram at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala in
India, Krishnakumar started learning Carnatic music (vocal) from his mother
at the age of eight...
After receiving the award of the National talent scholarship, Krishnakumar continued
the learning in a very systematic manner from late Prof Neyyattinkara.M.K.Mohanachandran
, former Head of Department of Music at Government Women's College, Thiruvananthapuram.
By then he also visited Chennai yearly during academic vacations and had advanced
training from Padmavibhushan Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna and this bond of Guru
- Sishya became very strong as Krishnakumar moved his residence to Chennai Now a
popular musician in the Carnatic classical and film music circles, he is also famous
as Trivandrum Krishnakumar.
Academic qualifications
Krishnakumar is a First-class graduate in Mathematics (1994), a First Rank with
first class in both BA (1996) and MA (1998) in Music from the University of Kerala.
He is also qualified to be a lecturer in Carnaticmusic according to the norms of
the University Grants Commission of India. He is currently doing his Ph.D. in music
at the Department of Music, University of Kerala.
Professional status
Krishnakumar is an 'A' Grade artist of All India Radio and performs music concerts
regularly at AIR, Doordarsan and other private television channels in Classical
music, Light classical music and Light music.
He has performed many National, South-zone hook- up programmes and many 'invited
audience' special programmes of All India Radio and Doordarsan.
The First Concert
Krishnakumar performed his First music concert in public at the tender age of twelve
at Sri Mangala Vinayaka Temple, Vinayak Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram.
He performed his First music concert in Chennai introduced by Vidwan Sri T.V.Gopalkrishnan
on the 29th December 1989 at Narada Gana Sabha, which was cosponsored by TVG's Academy
of Indian Music and Arts.
Important Concerts:
Has a credit of more than 1000 live concerts
Concerts at:
1. Sringeri in front of Sri Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sri
Bharathi Theertha Sannidhanam.
2. Kancheepuram in front of Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamikal.
3. Puttapparthi in front of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Krishnakumar has performed concerts at all the major music sabhas and organizations
all over India.
To name a few:
1. The Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha, Krishna Gana Sabha, The Indian Fine Arts
Society, TVG's AIMA, NaadaInbam, Sruthilaya, Sarvani Sangita Sabha, The Nungambakkam
Cultural Academy, The Mylapore Fine Arts Club, Thyagabrahma Gana Sabha, etc. of
Chennai.
2. Soorya Dance and Music Festival, Nishagandhi Dance & Music Festival & Onam Celebrations
- Govt of Kerala Sri Swati Tirunal Sangita Sabha, Swati Mahotsav at Kuthiramalika,
Sree Chithra Cultural Society and Sri Chembai Memorial Trust of Trivandrum.
3. NCPA, Sree Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha, Dombivli Fine Arts and
Bharathiya Fine Arts, B R R Sabha, etc.. of Bombay.
4. The Music Education Trust, Swaralaya, etc. at New Delhi
SOME NOTABLE MUSIC CONCERT TOURS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES
During September - October 1998, Krishnakumar visited various cities of the United
States of America and Canada for more than twenty concerts.
During April - May 2005 - visited and performed music concerts in more than 14 countries
on concert tour organized by SOORYA - including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Baharain, Kuwait,
Muscat, Doha in the Gulf, Koln in Germany, Vienna in Austria, Rome in Italy, Vatican,
London in UK, Zurich in Switzerland, Koulalampur in Malaysia and Singapore.
CASSETTES&CDs (as a singer)
To name a few:
1. Sakthi Ganapathim - A carnatic concert accompanied by S.Varadarajan and Srimushnam
Raja Rao. (RAVI AUDIO)
2. Thiruvabharanam - Ayyappan devotional songs music directed by Berny Ignatious
(RANJINI CASSETTES)
3. Ente Daivam - Christian devotional songs in Carnatic raagas. (CHRISTIAN LITERATURE
SOCIETY)
4. Rock to Ragas - Traditional Kritis in western orchestration (MAGNASOUND)
5. Prashanti - Sai bhajans sung along with Smt.K.S.Chithra directed by Pandit Ramesh
Narayan. (MANORAMA MUSIC)
6. Rare Ragas - A carnatic concert of rare ragas with Delhi Sundarrajan, Srimushnam
Rajarao and V.Suresh. (MAGNASOUND)
7. Adhyatma Ramayanam - Rendition of Ezhuthachan's Adhyatma Ramayanam kilippattu.
(MANORAMA MUSIC)
8. Shivam Shivamayam - Shiva Bhajans depicting Kerala Shiva Temples sung with Smt.K.S.Chithra.
(MANORAMA MUSIC)
AS A MUSIC COMPOSER
Krishnakumaar has composed music for the Light and sound show - "SAMAVAAKYAM" directed
by Sri.Soorya Krishnamoorthy
He has composed music for more than 25 music albums sung by himself and popular
playback singer Padmasree K.S.Chithra
View the details on the list of albums music directed by KRISHNAKUMAR http://music_directed_by_KRISHNAKUMAR
MORE ABOUT THE MUSICIAN
Krishnakumar has sung in many Fusion music concerts and Jugalbandi with Hindustani
classical music.
As a PLAYBACK SINGER - Krishnakumaar has sung in the Malayalam films
'Swaham' directed by Shaji.N.Karun
'Kaalachakram' directed by Sonu Sisupal
'Kalabham' music directed by late Ravindran
'Nivedyam', 'Anthipponvettom' 'Gomati Nayakam' (Tamil) music directed by Sri.M.Jayachandran.
He has sung in many professional dramas in Malayalam and various television serials
- 'Melappadam', 'Swantham Malootty', 'Sri Ayyappan' etc... for the Doordarsan, Soorya
and Asianet television channels.
The famous Malayalam film music director of the yester years - late G.Devarajan
selected Krishnakumaar to present his new format of Ragam Thanam Pallavi, which
is sung in six tempos - SHADKAALA PALLAVI. Krishnakumaar performed this unique classical
musical form many times in the public, in the august presence of the composer himself
and has won the appreciation of the connoisseurs of music. He was specially felicitated
by the MACTA - Malayalam Cine Technicians Association - for the successful and impressive
presentation of Shadkaala pallavi.
Krishnakumaar and his wife, Mrs.Binni Krishnakumar - a famous playback and classical
singer, together perform duo vocal concerts and theme oriented special concerts
Born to K.N.Ramachandran Nair and Smt.Santha Ramachandran at Thodupuzha in Kerala.
Binni began learning Carnatic Music (Vocal) at the age of seven under Vidwan Sri.Thiruvizha
Surendran and came under the tutelage of Sri.Thamarakkad Govindan Namboodiri. During
her graduation and post graduation in music, she learnt from Violin Vidwan Sri.B.Sasikumar
and Prof.Neyyattinkara Mohanachandran at Trivandrum.
Now under the musical guidance of Padmavibhushan Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna.
Binni was awarded direct B-High grade by the All India Radio and sings regularly
for the AIR, Doordarsan and other private television channels. She has been featured
in the South Zone Hookup programmes of the AIR.
BINNI KRISHNAKUMAAR was introduced to playback singing by the popular music director
Sri.VIDYASAGAR by making her sing her debut song Rä rä sarasaku rärä in the super
hit Rajinikant movie - CHANDRAMUKHI.
Since then, she has Sung in more than 35 feature films, television serials & music
albums in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali etc for prominent music directors.
A popular musician of Kerala through the Asianet TV Channel, Binni Has successfully
presented the Classical Music based weekly magazine, "NaadaMaadhuri" along with
the popular lyricist of the Malayalam cinema, Sri.Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri.
Binni joins her husband, vocal musician, Sri.Trivandrum.K.KRISHNAKUMAAR to perform
duo vocal concerts and theme oriented special concerts.
With Due Acknowledgement to ICCR, India for their wonderful support for Arts!
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ICCR
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ICCR was founded on 9th April 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education
Minister of independent India.
The objectives of the Council are to participate in the formulation and implementation
of policies and programmes relating to India's external cultural relations; to foster
and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other
countries; to promote cultural exchanges with other countries and people; to establish
and develop relations with national and international organizations in the field
of culture; and to take such measures as may be required to further these objectives.
The ICCR is about a communion of cultures, a creative dialogue with other nations.
To facilitate this interaction with world cultures, the Council strives to articulate
and demonstrate the diversity and richness of the cultures of India, both in and
with other countries of the world.
The Council prides itself on being a pre-eminent institution engaged in cultural
diplomacy and the sponsor of intellectual exchanges between India and partner countries.
It is the Council's resolve to continue to symbolize India's great cultural and
educational efflorescence in the years to come.
