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Photo credits: Tina Bali

(by Smt Lalitha Srinivasan on World Dance Day)

It has always mattered at the personal level, when I was 4 to now and will always matter at all levels, in all respects till the end of my day. It has been a panacea for life’s trials and tribulation. It has been a great tranquilizer at the time of stress & immense joy given. It has widened the reach and scope of my life. I have acquired knowledge, friends, name and fame all because of dance. My life is full of myriads of exciting because of dance. I have travelled near and far. What would I do if not for dance?
Dance matters when it upholds the cultural and educative values of community. The understanding of people’s emotion and beliefs are apparent. The beautiful dance sculptures of yore which adorn over temples proclaim the religious, aesthetic values of generation of people. The joy of witnessing them comes alive in today’s performances. Dance brings together the souls of people, scrutinizes you for better understanding, creates better thoughts as it self – elevating.
It is beautiful and all encompassing art which teaches religion, norms, spirituality, asthetic appreciation, moral values, human integrity along with a knowledge of music, sculpture, scriptures and social and human psychology, “indriya mana buddhi” converges together to reveal a glimpse of the supreme.
Even without uttering a word the body can communicate and hence we have blind, specially abled, mentally challenged people dancing and enjoying the awareness of the body. See what dance can do. We realize it when we teach also.

Bharathamunir in his Natya Shastra in the 1st chapter (verse 111 – 118) has clarified the purpose of Natya, between 111-120 shlokas is often quoted.

Dharmodharam pravarthana……
NachaShastram nashilpa……..
Rashtram pravratram chyva rangasyasa pravrotato…..
The message of Bhagwadgita of doing your duty, being promoted to do your duty by this art is also suggested which leads to more higher aspiration. God has given me everything though dance, my only request is I become a dancer again in my next life.

Photography: Gomtesh Upadhye

It is a festive time at nritarutya, the team is all geared to perform for the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations as the only Asian cultural representative. The one hour show includes special performances by artists from all over the world. Its an ITV production, to be broadcasted to over 6 million viewers in 240 countries across the world.
Nritarutya in collaboration with global music phenomenon Raghu Dixit will perform at the Windsor castle on the May 13th,2012. The duo are presenting a music and dance showcase on one of Raghu’s most acclaimed track ‘Mysore se ayi’, an Indian contemporary folk hit number to which Mayuri Upadhya weaves her choreography. It will be nostalgic to watch 12 power-packed dancers, Raghu dixit singing live backed by 700 member orchestra.

The team is rehearsing for about 3 hours each day since two weeks now to have every move perfected filling each of us with high energy.

Madhuri Upadhya says “ feel elated, ecstatic and honoured to be one of the few Indian teams to have ever performed in front of Her Majesty. We are sharing the stage with internationally renowned artists. As a team, we are representing the whole flavour of our culture internationally”. As for the act she says “It is a challenge for us dancers, as the song tempo is fast and the movements are crisp and dynamic” .

Join us at the extravaganza!!!
We need all the luck and wishes!!

It is a festive time at nritarutya, the team is all geared to perform for the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations as the only Asian cultural representative. The one hour show includes special performances by artists from all over the world. Its an ITV production, to be broadcasted to over 6 million viewers in 240 countries across the world.
Nritarutya in collaboration with global music phenomenon Raghu Dixit will perform at the Windsor castle on the May 13th,2012. The duo are presenting a music and dance showcase on one of Raghu’s most acclaimed track ‘Mysore se ayi’, an Indian contemporary folk hit number to which Mayuri Upadhya weaves her choreography. It will be nostalgic to watch 12 power-packed dancers, Raghu dixit singing live backed by 700 member orchestra.

The team is rehearsing for about 3 hours each day since two weeks now to have every move perfected filling each of us with high energy.

Madhuri Upadhya says “ feel elated, ecstatic and honoured to be one of the few Indian teams to have ever performed in front of Her Majesty. We are sharing the stage with internationally renowned artists. As a team, we are representing the whole flavour of our culture internationally”. As for the act she says “It is a challenge for us dancers, as the song tempo is fast and the movements are crisp and dynamic” .

Join us at the extravaganza!!!
We need all the luck and wishes!!

Signing off- Kelina Goel

What better way to launch the first copy of the book ‘ASHTA NAYIKAS ‘ than dance?

Different forms of dance depicted each nayika bhava, in their own unique style and beauty. Namitha BalaKrishna Rao, one of Nritarutya’s senior  performers of Youth wing repertory danced the Kalahantarita nayika (who pines for her lover, having sent him away after a tiff) of the 8 nayikas to a delighted audience. DG of ICCR Mr. Suresh K Goel launched attendance 2012 at Alliance Francaise with Chief Sect. Shri.  Chiranjiv Singh and Smt. Vimala Rangachar.

The book ‘ASHTA NAYIKAS’ is written by Shri. Ashish Khokar and is available for sale.

If you want to book a copy. Write to : mr.dancehistory@gmail.com

For Art Bangalore 2011 Exhib for Gallery Sublime, UB City

I Dreamt of Kali 1 (Homage to the piece Kali)
This work celebrates the emergence of Kali in two images

Nouveau Riche (Homage to the piece Laxmi)

The French title translates to ‘New Rich’ & is a take on newly acquired wealth. Costume courtesy Anshu Arora Sen & Jason Cheriyan for Small Shop