Kathak-Bharatnatyam Jugalbandhi
Indian Classical dance combo
Indian Classical dance combo
By Heidi M. Pascual
It was like having a double treat in one
concert. Two extraordinary dancers performing
singularly and together their respective dance
forms. It was not a competition but a beautiful
collaboration between artists who love to share
their passion. Meenakshi Ganesan, founder and
artistic director of Kalaanjali Dance School,
performed Bharatnatyam pieces, including the
Thillana, which is characterized by “intricate
footwork, rhythmic patters, quick and glided
neck movements, and sculpturesque poses.”
Kiran Chouhan, teacher and choreographer at
the Anila Sinha Foundation in Chicago,
performed Kathak numbers, including Tarana
Kalavati, a demonstration of the technical
movements of Kathak, and Sargam, with quick
spins and graceful sways.
Presented by the Indian Graduate Students
Association (IGSA) and ASHA for Education,
this musical showcase was held at the UW-
Madison Music Hall on May 15, as part of their
goal of increasing awareness about Indian
culture. In addition, ASHA for Education’s work
to support poor children in India to get
education was highlighted in an exhibit at the
lobby. For more information about ASHA, visit
http://ashanet.org/madison/. To know more
about IGSA and its events, visit http://india.rso.
wisc.edu.
It was like having a double treat in one
concert. Two extraordinary dancers performing
singularly and together their respective dance
forms. It was not a competition but a beautiful
collaboration between artists who love to share
their passion. Meenakshi Ganesan, founder and
artistic director of Kalaanjali Dance School,
performed Bharatnatyam pieces, including the
Thillana, which is characterized by “intricate
footwork, rhythmic patters, quick and glided
neck movements, and sculpturesque poses.”
Kiran Chouhan, teacher and choreographer at
the Anila Sinha Foundation in Chicago,
performed Kathak numbers, including Tarana
Kalavati, a demonstration of the technical
movements of Kathak, and Sargam, with quick
spins and graceful sways.
Presented by the Indian Graduate Students
Association (IGSA) and ASHA for Education,
this musical showcase was held at the UW-
Madison Music Hall on May 15, as part of their
goal of increasing awareness about Indian
culture. In addition, ASHA for Education’s work
to support poor children in India to get
education was highlighted in an exhibit at the
lobby. For more information about ASHA, visit
http://ashanet.org/madison/. To know more
about IGSA and its events, visit http://india.rso.
wisc.edu.
| The Kathak spin |
Kiran Chouhan, teacher
and choreographer at the
Anila Sinha Foundation in
Chicago,
and choreographer at the
Anila Sinha Foundation in
Chicago,
Meenakshi Ganesan,
founder and artistic
director of Kalaanjali
Dance School, performed
Bharatnatyam
founder and artistic
director of Kalaanjali
Dance School, performed
Bharatnatyam