Page Title
A Kalaanjali production: Bharatanatyam at its best
Ms. Rama Vaidyanathan, one
of India's leading classical
dancers, performs Bharata
Natyam in Madison , Wisconsin
of India's leading classical
dancers, performs Bharata
Natyam in Madison , Wisconsin
Bharatanatyam was introduced to me when I saw Meenakshi Ganesan (founder of
Kalaanjali School of Dance) perform it at an event sponsored by the Association of
Indians in America (AIA) several years ago. Ganesan described in detail what it
was all about and the meaning behind its name. This classical Indian dance has
captivated me since then. While the dance was initially intended for temple and
spiritual rites, it has gradually evolved into an art form that has to be shared to the
world. And I am thankful for groups like Kalaanjali School of Dance for this gift of
extraordinary spiritual experience.
Kalaanjali School of Dance) perform it at an event sponsored by the Association of
Indians in America (AIA) several years ago. Ganesan described in detail what it
was all about and the meaning behind its name. This classical Indian dance has
captivated me since then. While the dance was initially intended for temple and
spiritual rites, it has gradually evolved into an art form that has to be shared to the
world. And I am thankful for groups like Kalaanjali School of Dance for this gift of
extraordinary spiritual experience.
Story by Heidi M. Pascual
Photos by Jon Gramling
Photos by Jon Gramling
Ganesan has continued her work of spreading the word about Bharatanatyam since then. Her school has attracted
multicultural students of various ages, who, through the years, have awed Madison audiences with their newly acquired
skills and understanding of a traditional and beautiful art form from India.
The latest event hosted by Kalaanjali was held last November 13, at the Verona High School Performing Arts Center. It
was definitely not an ordinary class or performance day for Kalaanjali School of Dance, because a famous performer
from India was going to perform a Grand Bharatanatyam under its auspices.
According to Ganesan, her main goal in bringing Vaidyanathan to Madison is for the Kalaanjali students to learn,
witness and understand Bharatanatyam in depth, and to help the Madison community enjoy and witness
Bharatanatyam at its best. "I had arranged this performance with the Kalaanjali students' families to bring such a high
quality performance for the Madison community and the students of Kalaanjali," Ganesan said.
Beyond question, Ms. Rama Vaidyanathan is one of India's leading classical dancers and considered as one of the
best interpreters of the ancient art form. According to her bio, Vaidyanathan has been fortunate to have trained
intensively under the legendry dancer Yamini Krishnamurty and has also been under the guidance of the eminent Guru
Saroja Vaidyanathan. Her website further describes Vaidyanathan's dancing skills as:
"Everyone who has seen Rama perform is struck by her unique thought process and fresh approach to dance. While
deeply routed in tradition She has evolved her own individual style without forsaking the core principles of Bharata
Natyam.
"Rama has been performing professionally for the past twenty years and is one of the most sought after dancers of her
generation. She brings to her dance a rare sense of devotion and dedication, which leaves the audience with a sense of
spiritual fulfilment.
While in Madison, "Rama (Vaidyanathan) presented the production, Akhilam Madhuraem, a production in praise of
Lord Krishna, and the pieces that were depicted were: Akhilam Madhuram, Navarasa Mohana (the 9 emotions piece),
Braj Bhoomi Praikrama and Maharaas," Ganesan continued. "The musical composition for this performance was by G.
S. Rajan, while the script, visualization and choreography were done by Rama herself."
Ganesan also warmly credited the members of the live orchestra that made this performance more awesome: K.
Sivakumar (Nattuvangam); Indu Nair(Vocal); Arun Kumar (Mridangam); and Vikram Raghukumar (Violin).
True to her life's mission, Ganesan promises to continue hosting world-class performances of Kalaanjali School of
Dance, and honing her current and new students about the wonders of Bharatanatyam.
Watch for Kalaanjali's future performances in the Madison area. Some of them are:
* Meenakshi Ganesan & the advanced Kalaanjali Company dancers will present "Shivoham" at the International
Festival at the Overture Center on Saturday, March 3rd.
*Kalaanjali presents Arangetram of Snigdha Suvarna, a 13-year old Kalaanjali dancer on Saturday, April 21st at the
Stoughton High School. Ganesan will be accompanied by a live orchestra from India.
*Kalaanjali Annual day recital is on Saturday, June 2nd at the Verona High School.
*Arangetram of Eliana Durnbaugh in August, 2012.
Our hats off to Meenakshi Ganesan and the Kalaanjali School of Dance!
multicultural students of various ages, who, through the years, have awed Madison audiences with their newly acquired
skills and understanding of a traditional and beautiful art form from India.
The latest event hosted by Kalaanjali was held last November 13, at the Verona High School Performing Arts Center. It
was definitely not an ordinary class or performance day for Kalaanjali School of Dance, because a famous performer
from India was going to perform a Grand Bharatanatyam under its auspices.
According to Ganesan, her main goal in bringing Vaidyanathan to Madison is for the Kalaanjali students to learn,
witness and understand Bharatanatyam in depth, and to help the Madison community enjoy and witness
Bharatanatyam at its best. "I had arranged this performance with the Kalaanjali students' families to bring such a high
quality performance for the Madison community and the students of Kalaanjali," Ganesan said.
Beyond question, Ms. Rama Vaidyanathan is one of India's leading classical dancers and considered as one of the
best interpreters of the ancient art form. According to her bio, Vaidyanathan has been fortunate to have trained
intensively under the legendry dancer Yamini Krishnamurty and has also been under the guidance of the eminent Guru
Saroja Vaidyanathan. Her website further describes Vaidyanathan's dancing skills as:
"Everyone who has seen Rama perform is struck by her unique thought process and fresh approach to dance. While
deeply routed in tradition She has evolved her own individual style without forsaking the core principles of Bharata
Natyam.
"Rama has been performing professionally for the past twenty years and is one of the most sought after dancers of her
generation. She brings to her dance a rare sense of devotion and dedication, which leaves the audience with a sense of
spiritual fulfilment.
While in Madison, "Rama (Vaidyanathan) presented the production, Akhilam Madhuraem, a production in praise of
Lord Krishna, and the pieces that were depicted were: Akhilam Madhuram, Navarasa Mohana (the 9 emotions piece),
Braj Bhoomi Praikrama and Maharaas," Ganesan continued. "The musical composition for this performance was by G.
S. Rajan, while the script, visualization and choreography were done by Rama herself."
Ganesan also warmly credited the members of the live orchestra that made this performance more awesome: K.
Sivakumar (Nattuvangam); Indu Nair(Vocal); Arun Kumar (Mridangam); and Vikram Raghukumar (Violin).
True to her life's mission, Ganesan promises to continue hosting world-class performances of Kalaanjali School of
Dance, and honing her current and new students about the wonders of Bharatanatyam.
Watch for Kalaanjali's future performances in the Madison area. Some of them are:
* Meenakshi Ganesan & the advanced Kalaanjali Company dancers will present "Shivoham" at the International
Festival at the Overture Center on Saturday, March 3rd.
*Kalaanjali presents Arangetram of Snigdha Suvarna, a 13-year old Kalaanjali dancer on Saturday, April 21st at the
Stoughton High School. Ganesan will be accompanied by a live orchestra from India.
*Kalaanjali Annual day recital is on Saturday, June 2nd at the Verona High School.
*Arangetram of Eliana Durnbaugh in August, 2012.
Our hats off to Meenakshi Ganesan and the Kalaanjali School of Dance!