Rajarajeswaram 1000
Celebrating 1000th Year of Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur with a performance of 1000 Classical Bharatanatyam Dancers. Live Webcast by kalakendra.com starting 7pm Septermber 25, 2010
http://www.kalakendra.com/Rajarajeswaram-1000.html
Rajarajeswaram 1000
-
rshankar
- Posts: 13754
- Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26
Re: Rajarajeswaram 1000
7 pm IST, or USEST?
Please disregard - the link has the answer...
Please disregard - the link has the answer...
-
Shruthilaya
- Posts: 23
- Joined: 09 Sep 2010, 04:25
Re: Rajarajeswaram 1000
Saturday, 25th September 2010 - 7:00pm IST onwards 
-
kssr
- Posts: 1596
- Joined: 30 Nov 2009, 15:28
Re: Rajarajeswaram 1000
It was amazing. Hats off to Dr.Padma Subramaniam
-
vasanthakokilam
- Posts: 10958
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 00:01
Re: Rajarajeswaram 1000
The perspective from one of the participants ( sent to me by a friend, this is probably from a hindu article )
Madhumitha Srinivasan on the rare opportunity that she enjoyed of being a part of the dance performance to mark the 1000th anniversary of the Big Temple.
Rhythmic tribute
The closest one could get to an ethereal experience recently was watching a 1000 dancers sound their anklets in unison at the famous Big Temple in Thanjavur. The scene was probably similar to the one witnessed by King Raja Raja Chola 1000 years ago: grandly lit temple, an entire town wearing a festive look, and thousands gathered for a visual and aural treat around the temple courtyard with dignitaries to witness it. The setting couldn't have been more perfect for a Guinness record.
A chance to perform at this prestigious setting came my way, and pondering over the fact that opportunities like these come only once in a lifetime - 1000 years to be specific - I jumped at it.
The buzz around the 1000 years celebration of the temple and the Guinness record attempt started months before the actual event. Organised by Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and supported by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the workshops, CDs, registrations, instructions, preparations and practices ensured that the months rolled by in a flash.
Exciting experience
Then it was time for the actual performance. The best part of such events is the excitement surrounding them, the experiences we gain and the memories we cherish. This one was no exception. It started from the journey by bus along with my friends from dance class.
Many skills were put to test: sleeping at odd angles, ability to gauge a bump and hold on to the handle at the right moment even with your eyes closed, brave the chill and wake up to the sound of your dance DVD playing at six in the morning and revising in between yawns... all in the bus. Now, how many can boast of that!
At Thanjavur, we found out that we were among the lucky few who got to enjoy the luxury of a hotel room, where we could rest after a sumptuous breakfast and before the call for a tasty lunch. Here you learn how to take power naps while sharing a bed with three other people and yet sleep comfortably.
The hotel was a busy place with dancers, teachers and organisers running all over the place either to get things in order or just to catch up with friends who had arrived from places as far as Sri Lanka, Goa, Hyderabad and Palakkad too.
The event was all the more exciting because of this; we got to meet dancers from all over India and form new friends though there was not much time for it; but on stage there was more and plenty. We'll get to that.
The long wait
The performance was scheduled to begin at 6.30 p.m. but the dancers were asked to be at the venue by 3:00 p.m. The reason? Heavy security due to the Chief Minister's arrival and crowd control. After taking our positions on the well-carpeted 1000-year-old stage around the Nandi in the temple courtyard, we realised how little drops do make a mighty ocean, ‘and every drop is equally important,' added a wise friend.
Then for the next three hours we had nothing to do, except to for pose for photographers now and then, if you were lucky enough to be in the first few rows on the vantage side of the stage. The rest had to make do with chatting with their friends and last minute revisions. The volunteers ensured we had enough water but excusing yourself for a restroom break was a tough call. But still we had our fun on stage despite the prying eyes of the cameras and the audience. The nadaswaram recital that opened the evening was a treat as was the devaramrecital.
Then finally it was our time. The thousand, and in fact more, dancers were on their feet. Just the spectacle of all of us taking our positions attracted applause from the crowd. Soon the dance pieces – a customary invocation to Lord Vinayaka and Karur Devar's verses on the Thanjavur Peria Kovil were performed, blurring the lines between the past and present.
As if in a flash, it was over. Only the applause and the weariness of post-performance remained. Finally, more than the anticipation of having set a Guinness record, the thought that someday, when the temple celebrates another millennium, there would be a mention of our performance kept us smiling and at peace through the journey back home. After all, how many of the things you have done would be remembered after 10 centuries?!
Madhumitha Srinivasan on the rare opportunity that she enjoyed of being a part of the dance performance to mark the 1000th anniversary of the Big Temple.
Rhythmic tribute
The closest one could get to an ethereal experience recently was watching a 1000 dancers sound their anklets in unison at the famous Big Temple in Thanjavur. The scene was probably similar to the one witnessed by King Raja Raja Chola 1000 years ago: grandly lit temple, an entire town wearing a festive look, and thousands gathered for a visual and aural treat around the temple courtyard with dignitaries to witness it. The setting couldn't have been more perfect for a Guinness record.
A chance to perform at this prestigious setting came my way, and pondering over the fact that opportunities like these come only once in a lifetime - 1000 years to be specific - I jumped at it.
The buzz around the 1000 years celebration of the temple and the Guinness record attempt started months before the actual event. Organised by Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and supported by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the workshops, CDs, registrations, instructions, preparations and practices ensured that the months rolled by in a flash.
Exciting experience
Then it was time for the actual performance. The best part of such events is the excitement surrounding them, the experiences we gain and the memories we cherish. This one was no exception. It started from the journey by bus along with my friends from dance class.
Many skills were put to test: sleeping at odd angles, ability to gauge a bump and hold on to the handle at the right moment even with your eyes closed, brave the chill and wake up to the sound of your dance DVD playing at six in the morning and revising in between yawns... all in the bus. Now, how many can boast of that!
At Thanjavur, we found out that we were among the lucky few who got to enjoy the luxury of a hotel room, where we could rest after a sumptuous breakfast and before the call for a tasty lunch. Here you learn how to take power naps while sharing a bed with three other people and yet sleep comfortably.
The hotel was a busy place with dancers, teachers and organisers running all over the place either to get things in order or just to catch up with friends who had arrived from places as far as Sri Lanka, Goa, Hyderabad and Palakkad too.
The event was all the more exciting because of this; we got to meet dancers from all over India and form new friends though there was not much time for it; but on stage there was more and plenty. We'll get to that.
The long wait
The performance was scheduled to begin at 6.30 p.m. but the dancers were asked to be at the venue by 3:00 p.m. The reason? Heavy security due to the Chief Minister's arrival and crowd control. After taking our positions on the well-carpeted 1000-year-old stage around the Nandi in the temple courtyard, we realised how little drops do make a mighty ocean, ‘and every drop is equally important,' added a wise friend.
Then for the next three hours we had nothing to do, except to for pose for photographers now and then, if you were lucky enough to be in the first few rows on the vantage side of the stage. The rest had to make do with chatting with their friends and last minute revisions. The volunteers ensured we had enough water but excusing yourself for a restroom break was a tough call. But still we had our fun on stage despite the prying eyes of the cameras and the audience. The nadaswaram recital that opened the evening was a treat as was the devaramrecital.
Then finally it was our time. The thousand, and in fact more, dancers were on their feet. Just the spectacle of all of us taking our positions attracted applause from the crowd. Soon the dance pieces – a customary invocation to Lord Vinayaka and Karur Devar's verses on the Thanjavur Peria Kovil were performed, blurring the lines between the past and present.
As if in a flash, it was over. Only the applause and the weariness of post-performance remained. Finally, more than the anticipation of having set a Guinness record, the thought that someday, when the temple celebrates another millennium, there would be a mention of our performance kept us smiling and at peace through the journey back home. After all, how many of the things you have done would be remembered after 10 centuries?!
-
madhan
- Posts: 125
- Joined: 09 Jan 2010, 05:47
Re: Rajarajeswaram 1000
very well written!! I saw a whole bunch of them in green and white from nrithyakshetra (Shri Madurai.R.Muralidharan's school) - the school to which the writer belongs..
Last edited by madhan on 30 Sep 2010, 02:57, edited 2 times in total.
-
VK RAMAN
- Posts: 5009
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 00:29
Re: Rajarajeswaram 1000
Kalakendra has posted the complete video now. Very nice.
-
sudhakar.ks
- Posts: 13
- Joined: 27 Sep 2010, 10:58
Re: Rajarajeswaram 1000
WOW! The technical team at Swathi led by Mr. S. B. Khanthan, Mr. Jayakumar and I are indeed privileged to have been part of this historic occasion.
Such precision performance by 1000 (Actual number is at least 1043, still working on verifying them). In a day when it is accepted to be fashionably late, these dedicated performers assembled well ahead of scheduled 7pm performance.
A slight drizzle around 430pm ensured their feet did not have to go through what we lesser mortals had to go through while making arrangement for video recording and live webcast.
When we were mighty pleased that we could keep up to our schedule and be ready to webcast even when people started coming in, our pride was very short lived. When the collector of Thanjavur was worried about rain and requested Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam to start performance 30 minutes before schedule, they were ready!!! Making us scramble for last minute checks to ensure we were too.
Of course the collector did not realize that the drizzle was only to cool the place down and not going to be pouring to upset the show, it was decided to start on schedule to ensure audiences world over are not disappointed by login in late.
ChennaiStream did a fantastic job of putting together the live webcast for the wold to enjoy the spectacle that covered with some of the best video equipments available. 2 Cranes, 9 cameras, 35 member team and of course the grandeur built by Rajaraja Cholan seem to be just for this occasion.
We are happy to give you an early version of the video at http://www.kalakendra.com/Rajarajeswaram-1000.html
We will shortly be bringing out a more professional edit, with footage from other side that could not be covered in live video and also about making of this grand show.
As always kalakendra.com is striving to bring the best of art & culture, your valuable feedback and thoughts will be much appreciated.
Sudhakar
Such precision performance by 1000 (Actual number is at least 1043, still working on verifying them). In a day when it is accepted to be fashionably late, these dedicated performers assembled well ahead of scheduled 7pm performance.
A slight drizzle around 430pm ensured their feet did not have to go through what we lesser mortals had to go through while making arrangement for video recording and live webcast.
When we were mighty pleased that we could keep up to our schedule and be ready to webcast even when people started coming in, our pride was very short lived. When the collector of Thanjavur was worried about rain and requested Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam to start performance 30 minutes before schedule, they were ready!!! Making us scramble for last minute checks to ensure we were too.
Of course the collector did not realize that the drizzle was only to cool the place down and not going to be pouring to upset the show, it was decided to start on schedule to ensure audiences world over are not disappointed by login in late.
ChennaiStream did a fantastic job of putting together the live webcast for the wold to enjoy the spectacle that covered with some of the best video equipments available. 2 Cranes, 9 cameras, 35 member team and of course the grandeur built by Rajaraja Cholan seem to be just for this occasion.
We are happy to give you an early version of the video at http://www.kalakendra.com/Rajarajeswaram-1000.html
We will shortly be bringing out a more professional edit, with footage from other side that could not be covered in live video and also about making of this grand show.
As always kalakendra.com is striving to bring the best of art & culture, your valuable feedback and thoughts will be much appreciated.
Sudhakar
-
vakul12
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 03 Aug 2010, 23:59
Re: Rajarajeswaram 1000
Hello Sudhakar,
It was a wonderful experience and I commend Swati Soft for their excellent execution. Next to Madras, I think California Bay area has a huge bharatanatyam base. We were prompt to wake up early and watch the performance live. We had to tell relatives back in chennai where to watch! I showed to few Americans who were just very impressed.
PS: Excellent and please bring more such programs! If you can webcast some of December Music season bharatanatyam/kutcheris that will be great (paid is fine). We will definitely support by continuing to buy CDs and DVDs.
It was a wonderful experience and I commend Swati Soft for their excellent execution. Next to Madras, I think California Bay area has a huge bharatanatyam base. We were prompt to wake up early and watch the performance live. We had to tell relatives back in chennai where to watch! I showed to few Americans who were just very impressed.
PS: Excellent and please bring more such programs! If you can webcast some of December Music season bharatanatyam/kutcheris that will be great (paid is fine). We will definitely support by continuing to buy CDs and DVDs.
-
sudhakar.ks
- Posts: 13
- Joined: 27 Sep 2010, 10:58
Re: Rajarajeswaram 1000
Hello Vakul,vakul12 wrote:Hello Sudhakar,
It was a wonderful experience and I commend Swati Soft for their excellent execution. Next to Madras, I think California Bay area has a huge bharatanatyam base. We were prompt to wake up early and watch the performance live. We had to tell relatives back in chennai where to watch! I showed to few Americans who were just very impressed.
PS: Excellent and please bring more such programs! If you can webcast some of December Music season bharatanatyam/kutcheris that will be great (paid is fine). We will definitely support by continuing to buy CDs and DVDs.
Thanks for your support, will continue to work on more webcasts. Purists like my still like properly edited and created DVDs. Last 16 hours was working on editing and mixing the 9 cameras that recorded the program. Have some very interesting footage of people assembling in position, practicing and interacting with each other. The performance itself is now ready in a much better edit, showing more details of performance, covering a wider range of performers and more attention to detail. Not to mention in a much better quality then the webcast.
Sudhakar
-
madhan
- Posts: 125
- Joined: 09 Jan 2010, 05:47
Re: Rajarajeswaram 1000
It would be really interesting to see the things tht happpened before the actual program.. 