Dear Art Lovers,
Soorya Dance Company is conducting a nattuvangam (rhythmic renditions) workshop from April 21st to 25th by Guru Pulikeshi Kasthuri from Bangalore India. This is a golden opportunity for students of dance and music who want to master their rhythm techniques.
Regards,
Sushma Mohan.
Nattuvangam Workshop by Guru Pulikeshi Kasthuri in NJ
Soorya Dance Company is organising a Nattuvangam Workshop by noted nattuvangist Pulikeshi Kasthuri from April 21th to April 25th. In his professional life spanning more than 2 decades Guru Pulikeshi Kasthuri has accompanied more than 1500 nattuvangam performances all over the world touring USA, England, France, Ethiopia, Russia, Middle East and Switzerland.
What is Nattuvangam?
Nattuvangam is the art of reciting a technical rhythmic pattern or a "jathi" in a traditional or classical south Indian dance performance. Nattuvangam is considered by many western musicians to sharpen the minds of the musicians and dancers due to its highly sophisticated nature of mathematical calculations.
*********************************************
Workshop 1 - Rhythm Technique for dancers
Eligibility : Students with 2+ years of training in any dance form can attend the workshop. Mrudangam and tabla (Traditional Indian Drums) students are also welcome.
Date and Time : April 21st to April 25th
Time : 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm.
Venue : 571, Darwin Blvd, Edison, NJ
Contact : [email protected]
***************************
Workshop 2- Introduction to Nattuvangam
A workshop for beginners and non-dancers.
NO PREVIOUS DANCE AND MUSIC TRAINING NECESSARY.
Date and Time - April 26th Saturday 11.30 to 1.00.
Fee - $30
Venue - Woodbridge YMCA, Main Street, Woodbridge NJ 07095.
*********************************
Workshop Details
The students will understand the importance of Nattuvangam in the dance context and will work on recitation of rhythmic syllables, jathi and theermanam using the stick called the tattu-kazhi as well as the metal cymbals (Thaalam).
Guru Pulikeshi will also cover the basics of tala shastra (Study of Rhythm), the intricacies of rhythm and the importance of understanding the rhythm structures and patterns while learning Bharathanatyam(South Indian Dance).
Veteran Bharatanatyam guru T. K. Mahalingam Pillai elaborates, "The Nattuvanar (One who performs Nattuvangam) is required to have a grip over rhythm. He should be able to guide the recital. Moreover, the recitation of the sollus (Syllables) should be crystal clear and at the same time musical.....which in itself is an art."
About Pulikeshi Kasthuri :
Pulikeshi Kasthuri is easily one of the most talented and the most sought nattuvangists of South India. In his professional life spanning more than 2 decades he has accompanied more than 1500 performances all over the world touring USA, England, France, Ethiopia, Russia, Middle East and Switzerland. With his stellar mastery over rhythm and a spellbinding voice he is regular nattuvangist to celebrity artists like Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Prathibha Prahlad, Vani Ganapathy to name a few.
Pulikeshi has conducted workshops in Bangalore, Dallas, San Antonio and St. louis which were extremely well appreciated. He has been awarded the Nattuvanar of the decade by the Kinkini Organisation and Aryabhata Organisation.
He was guided in Nattuvangam by Late gurus B R Sheshadri (Kanna) and Kamala Rani(Chennai). Equally popular as a Bharathanatyam dancer, Pulikeshi is the student of Gurus Lalitha Srinivasan and Late Guru Narmada. Also guided by Guru Adyar Lakshman, he is equally well vesed in Kathak and theatre.
Pulikeshi holds a Master's degree in Dance from Bangalore University and is at present the director of Shanthala Arts Academy, Bangalore where he trains around 150 students.
More info can be had from www.sooryadance.com/html/Kasthuris/Puli/pulikeshi.html