Sangeet Natak Akademi
National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama, New Delhi

Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, Chennai

Nritya Pratibha
FESTIVAL OF YOUNG DANCERS

8-12 August 2005, 6.30 p.m. daily
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
East Mada Street, Mylapore
Chennai-600004

Programme

Monday 8 August
SHAFEEKUDEEN B. K., Mahe Bharatanatyam
SHOBHA LALITHAMBIKA, Vanchiyoor Mohiniattam
RAJASHRI PRAHARAJ & RAJIB BHATTACHARYA Bhubaneswar Odissi
RENJINI KRISHNA & PRIYANKA, Chennai Kuchipudi

Tuesday 9 August
ARUNA SUBBIAH, Chennai Bharatanatyam
ANWESHA MAHANTA, Guwahati Sattriya
M. KOMALA BABU, CH. MURTHY, V. SIUYAVARA PRASAD & GROUP,
Kuchipudi Kuchipudi
SUDESHNA MAUUK, Ahmedabad Kathak

Wednesday 10 August
GEETHA GANESAN, Hyderabad Bharatanatyam
SUSHREE MOHANTY, Pondicherry Odissi
KALAMANDALAM KRISHNENDU, Pallakad Nangiarkoothu
GOVT. DANCE COLLEGE, Manipur Pung Cholom, Basanta Ras

Thursday 11 August
SURYANARAYANA RAO P., Mangalore Bharatanatyam
ACHARYA CHHAU NRUTYA BICHITRA, Seraikella Chhau
KALAMANDALAM SHANMUKHAN, Alappuzha Kathakali
SUDHA DANIEL BANERJEE, Warangal Kuchipudi

Friday 12 August
APARNA KOLAR & RAMYA NAGARAJ, Bangalore Kathak
KALAMANDAIAM MUKUNDAN, Cheruthuruthy Kathakali
GOVT. DANCE COLLEGE, Manipur Dhol Cholom, Geet Govinda
BHARGAVI & K. SHANMUGA SUNDARAM, Chennai Bharatanatyam
ARTISTS OF Akademi'S CHHAU PROJECT, Mayurbhanj Chhau

SHAFEEKUDEEN B.K. Bharatanatyam

Shafeekudeen had his initial training in dance under the tutelage of Kalakshetra Kamaladevi. Later, he specialized under Shri V.P. Dhananjayan and Smt. Shanta Dhananjayan. He completed his five-year diploma course in Bharatanatyam from Malayala Kala Gramam, Mahe, and subsequently studied at Bhaskara, Kannur (Kerala) and Bharata Kalanjali, Chennai, to acquire his post-diploma.

Shafeekudeen has performed in several dance festivals within the country and outside including the Telecom Festival at Kannur, Mylapore Fine Arts, Chidambaram, Soorya Festival, 'Vande Mataram' held on India's independence day in 2004 at Hyderabad, and the Herman Hesse Festival, Germany.

Shafeekudeen has served as a teacher in Malayala Kalagramam, Mahe and Regatta Cultural Society, Trivandrum. Presently, he is pursuing his Master's degree in dance from the University of Madras.

SHOBHA LALITHAMBIKA Mohiniattam

Born in 1984, Shobha Lalithambika started learning Mohiniattam at an early age from Smt. Girija Chandran. She has also learnt Bharatanatyam from Smt. and Shri Dhananjayan at Bhaskara Payyannur.

Shobha Lalithambika has performed in various dance events organized by prestigious Sabhas, including the Natyanjali Dance Festival at Chidambaram. Presently, she is imparting training as an instructor in the Department of Mohiniattam at the Regatta Cultural Society, Thiruvananthapuram.

RAJASHRI PRAHARAJ & RAJIB BHATTACHARYA Odissi

Rajashri Praharaj

Rajashri received her training in dance at Srjan, Bhubaneshwar under the guidance of late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and later under Shri Ratikant Mohapatra. Rajashri is a recipient of the national scholarship from the Government of India. Presently, she is a resident student at Srjan where she continues to specialize in Odissi dance. She has performed widely in India both as a soloist and with the repertory group of Srjan. Some of her performances include the Odissi Dance Festival organized by the Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi in Cuttack, Kalke Kalakar Mumbai, and the Kalingayana Tourya Trikam, Bhubaneshwar.

RAJIB BHATTACHARYA

Rajib had his initial training in dance under Smt. Sharmila Biswas and later completed senior diploma in Odissi dance from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata. He joined Srjan under the guidance of late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra for specializing in the art of Odissi dance. He" has attended several workshops conducted by the late guru in different subjects related to Odissi dance, and has also undergone training in the Mahari dance from Sashimani and Parasmani Mahari. Rajib received a scholarship from the Government of India to pursue his training. He has performed at major dance and music festivals of the country as an artist of Srjan Repertory Group.

Rajib continues to learn; and he also assists Shri Ratikant Mohapatra in teaching dance at Srjan, Bhubaneswar.

RENJINI KRISHNA & PRIYANKA Kuchipudi

Renjini Krishna

Renjini started her training in dance at Tharang Institute of Classical Dances, Trivandrum under Shri Natanabhooshanam Nathancode S. Vinhayachandran. She received a scholarship from CCRT to pursue her training in dance. She subsequently trained in Kuchipudi at the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai under Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam. She has participated in several dance dramas, choreographed by her guru, and has given solo recitals in several dance festivals such as South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur, Kala Bharathi, Visakapatanam, Onam Tourism Festival, Trivandrum, Manaveeyam Mahotsavam, Mathrubhumi Kalolsavam, Madras Dance-Music Festival, and Swathi Tirunal Mahotsav.

Presently, Renjini is one of the leading dancers at the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai.

Priyanka

Priyanka has had her training in dance from Smt. Kalamandalam Satyabhama in several styles such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam. She specialized in these dance styles further under Smt. Geetha Prasad. Priyanka also studied Mohiniattam at Sankaracharya University, Kalady, Kerala. She subsequently joined the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai for her intensive training in Kuchipudi under Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam. Priyanka has performed widely within the country and outside, in youth festivals conducted by the Government of Kerala, Swati Tirunal Mahotsav, and Gulf Pageantry Tour to Doha, Qatar, Bahrain and UAE.

Presently, Priyanka is one of the leading artists of the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai.

ARUNA SUBBIAH Bharatanatyam

Aruna Subbiah has had her training in Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of Smt. Sudharani Raghupathy since 1984 at Shree Bharatalaya, Chennai. She has accompanied her guru to participate in various dance festivals and lecture-¬demonstrations as a leading artist of the institution. Some of her major performances in dance-dramas choreographed by her guru, and solo recitals, include events organized by Bharat Kalachar, Music Academy, Kartik Fine Arts, Narada Gana Sabha, Nungambakkam Cultural Academy Trust and Kalapradarshini.

Aruna Subbiah has conducted classes at Silambam, a branch of Shree Bharatalaya in Switzerland. She has also assisted her guru in convening the Natya Darshan, a seminar on dance organized by Kartik Fine Arts.

Presently Aruna performs as a leading artist of Bharatalaya, Chennai.

ANWESHA MAHANTA Sattriya

Anwesha Mahanta started learning Sattriya dance at an early age under the guidance of Shri Ghanakanta Bora. She has also learnt Bharatanatyam from Smt. Indira P.P. Bora.

Anwesha has performed in various festivals within the country, including the Appan Symposium, Dalhousie, India Habitat Centre, India International Centre, Krishna Festival (ICCR), SNA Awards Ceremony, Guwahati, Nritya Swam, Mumbai, Nritya Parva, Guwahati. She has also participated in Virasat 2003 under the Spic-Macay.

Presently, Anwesha is specializing in Sattriya dance under Shri Ghanakanta Bora, under a project supported by the Akademi in Guwahati.

KOMALA BABU, V. SATYAVARA PRASAD, R. BALAKRISUNA, CH. MURTHY AND GROUP Kuchipudi

Komala Babu, V. Satyavara Prasad, R. Balakrishna, and Ch. Murthy received their training in Kuchipudi dance under the tutelage of Guru Shri Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma at Venkatrama Natya Mandali, Kuchipudi.

Komala Babu, Satyavara Prasad, R. Balakrishna and Ch. Murthy and the other members of the group have performed widely along with their guru in prestigious dance events in different parts of the country. They have also participated in several lecture-demonstrations conducted by their guru.

Presently, all four of them are undergoing specialized training in Bhamakalapam and other female roles of Kuchipudi Yakshagana from their Guru under a special training programme in traditional forms being supported by the Akademi.

SUDESHNA MAULIK Kathak

Sudeshna Maulik was initiated into dance at a very young age under Shri Chitresh Das in Kolkata. She received a scholarship from CCRT, New Delhi for her training in dance, and later, she joined Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. She has specialized in Kathak under the guidance of Pt. Birju Maharaj on a national scholarship from the Government of India. She has also received a junior fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India for her study on Kathak.

Sudeshna has performed extensively in India and abroad in major dance festivals such as Natyanjali, Konark, Deogarh and Jhansi Mahotsava, and festivals organized by Padatik, Kolkata, Yuva Mahotsava and Swarnotsava, organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi. She has performed in Festival of India in Taiwan, China, Germany, Switzerland and Russia.

Presently, Sudeshna is learning and performing at Kadamb, Ahmedabad under Smt. Kumudini Lakhia.

GEETHA GANESAN Bharatanatyam

Geetha learnt dance under Shri V. S. Ramamoorthy, Nattuvangam from Smt. Manjula Ramaswamy, theory from Shri Pasumarthi Ramalinga Sastry, Dr Nataraj Ramakrishna, Dr P.S.R. Apparao and music under Brahmasri Kollegal R. Subramaniam. She has received various scholarships from the state as well as the central government.
Geetha has performed in various dance festivals including the Kalasagaram Youth Festival, Tyagaraja Gana Sabha, Nritya Kala Bharati Kendram, Kartik Fine Arts, Bharath Kalachar, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Karnataka Sangha, Suraj Kund Dance Festival, NCZCC, and also different festivals organized by the Department of Culture, Andhra Pradesh. She has performed in different parts of the world, including New York, Madrid, Dubai and Oslo.

Geetha has received the Seva Ratna Award, Ugadi Puraskar and the Best Lecture-Demonstration Award from the Indian Fine Arts Society. She has established her own institute, Uttarra, a centre for performing arts in Hyderabad where she imparts training in dance and music. She has also authored a book titled, 'Basics of Bharatanatyam'.

SUSHREE MOHANTY Odissi

Sushree Mohanty has had her initial training in dance under Smt Sangeeta Dash. She holds a diploma in Odissi dance from the Orissa Dance Academy and a master's in music from Chandigarh University.

Sushree Mohanty has performed in various dance festivals including the Konark Festival, Puri Beach Festival, Matru Bhaban Function, Calcutta, Kullu Dasahara Festival, Himachal Pradesh, Sarad Mahautsav, Brindaban, Annual Function of Kala Vikash Kendra, Cuttack, Sea Beach Programme, Pondicherry, Polachi and Madurai Festival.
Presently, Sushree Mohanty continues to perform along with her guru as an artist of Meera Dance Akademi, Pondicherry.

KALAMANDAIAM KRISHNENDU Nangiarkoothu

Kalamandalam Krishnendu has received training in Koodiyattam and Nangiarkoothu under Shri Ramachakyar, Sivam Namboothiri, Smt. Girija and Shailaja at Kerala Kalamandalam. She got her degree in Koodiyattam from Kerala Kalamandalam in 2005. Kalamandalam Krishnendu was also awarded a scholarship to pursue her training in Nangiarkoothu.

Kalamandalam Krishnendu has given several performances as a member of the Kerala Kalamandalam group in various festivals within and outside Kerala. She has performed in a documentary produced by Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan.

GOVERNMENT DANCE COLLEGE, MANIPUR

The Government Dance College, Manipur was established as Shree Shree Govindajee Nartanalaya in 1954 under the patronage of late Maharaja of Manipur. The teaching of Manipuri dance started in this institution with Guru Takhelchangbam Amudon Sharma and Guru Aribam Surchand Sharma. The institution offers studies of different aspects of Manipuri dance and music traditions. The institution is dedicated to the preservation of the cultural heritage of Manipur through its dance and music.

The artists performing in this festival include Sanglakpam Reema Devi, Salam Melody Devi, M. Dolly Devi, K. Binimala Devi, Th. Chingkheinganbi Devi, W. Ningolleima Chanu, S. Sobita Devi, Ch. Medhapati, M. Ngongal Singh, M. Nongyai Singh, Kh. Satyabanta Singh, Kh. Bishorjit Singh and accompanists are S. Jashoda Devi, L. Brajkumar Singh, M. Herachandra, G. Loken Sharma and L. Sarat Singh.

SURYANARAYANA RAO P. Bharatanatyam

Suryanarayana Rao trained in Yakshagana under Shri Chandrashekhar Navada K. and Shri Purushothama Rao P. He later studied Bharatnatyam from Shri Ullal Mohan Kumar and Kuchipudi from Smt. Vyjayanthy Kashi and Smt. Veena Murthy Vijay.

Suryanarayana Rao has given various performances of Yakshagana in festivals such as Lok Kala Mahotsav, Lucknow, Navratri Festival at Vaishnav Devi Temple, Jammu & Kashmir, Nandaneshwara Yakshagana Makkala Mela. He has performed in Hampi Festival, Bhavan Utsav, Mysore Dasara Festival, Udupi Utsav, Narada Gana Sabha, Natarajotsva, and Tunga Mahotsava.

Suryanarayana Rao is presently doing diploma in choreography from the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, Bangalore.

ACHARYA CHHAU NRUTYA BICHITRA Seraikella Chhau

Acharya Chhau Nrutya Bichitra was founded by late Guru Lingaraj Acharya in 1980. Since then, several artists have been trained here in Seraikella Chhau dance. The royal family of Seraikella had established eight Akharas or training centres, and Guru Lingaraj Acharya was one of the last gurus belonging to the Purthosahi Akhara.

The artists of Acharya Chhau Nrutya Bichitra have participated in various national and international festivals, including the Khajuraho Dance Festival, Rajgir Mahotsav, Krishna Gana Sabha, and events organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi and Indian Council for Cultural Relations. The group has been invited to Singapore, Canada, Reunion Island, Malta, South Korea and Japan.

The institution has been selected as one of the training centres by the Sangeet Natak Akademi under its project to support of Chhau dance.
The artists performing in this festival are Sudeep Kabi, Ranjit Acharya, Satish Singh Modak, Govind Mahato, Vishwanath Kumbhakar, Shashadhar Acharya and Sukant Acharya (Dhol), Sapon Acharya (Nagada), and Sanjiv Shanker (Shehnai).

KAIAMANDALAM SHANMUKHAN Kathakali

Kalamandalam Shanmukhan is also known as C. Shanmukhadas. He received training in Kathakali Vesham at Kerala Kalamandalam under Guru Ramankutty Nair and Kalamandalam Gopi. He received a scholarship from the Department of Culture, Government of India to pursue his training in Kathakali.

Kalamandalam Shanmukhan has participated in many festivals and events led by eminent Kathakali performers in India and abroad. He has participated in international festivals in Iran, France, Italy and USA. He prepared a detailed performance manual for Damayanthi, the heroine of the Kathakali play, Nalacharitham, under a project sponsored by the Department of Culture, Government of India. He has received Kottakkal Krishnankutty Nair Shashtyabdapoorthy Endowment Young Kathakali Artiste Award 1999-2000.

Presently, Kalamandalam Shanmukhan is working as teacher in Sandarsan Kathakali Vidyalayam, Ambalappuzha.

SUDHA DANIEL BANERJEE Kuchipudi

Sudha Daniel had her training in Kuchipudi dance under Shri B. Sudheer Rao at Warangal for which she received a scholarship from the Government of India. She also acquired a diploma in Bharatanatyam from Telugu University, Hyderabad. Sudha participated in Kuchipudi workshop conducted by Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam at Shilparamam, organized by Ministry of HRD and SZCC.

Sudha Daniel has performed in major dance festivals within the country such as SCZCC's Yuva Sangeet Mahotsav at Khajuraho and Chikmagalur, Sangeet Natak Akademi's Kuchipudi Nritya Utsav, Hyderabad. She has also performed in USA, Australia and New Zealand along with the group of Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam.

APARNA KOLAR & RAMYA NAGRAJ Kathak

Aparna Kolar

Aparna Kolar has had training in Kathak dance under Smt. Chitta Venugopal and Smt. Maya Rao. She has obtained her post -graduate diploma in choreography from the Natya Institute, Bangalore. She has toured extensively as a leading dancer of the performing unit of the institute and has performed in majore dance festivals such as Kathak Mahotsav, Lucknow, Soorya Festival, Kerala, Vasantahabba, Bangalore, Khajuraho Festival, Kathak Mahotsav, Delhi and Dharani Festival, Cochin.

Ramya Nagraj

Ramya Nagraj was initiated in dance at a young age under Smt. Nirupama Rajendra. Late_ she specialized in Kathak under Smt. Maya Rao. Ramya is a graduate from the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography and is a part of the performing unit.

Ramya has performed as one of the leading dancers of the institute in various festivals within and outside the country, including the Yuva Pratibha, organized by the Department of Kannada and Culture, Soorya Festival, and Sangeet Natak Akademi's Uday Shankar Shatabdi Samaroh. The Bangalore Habba and Dharani Festival, Kerala and Yuva Sangeetha Nrityotsav at Mysore conducted by the Karnataka Sangeeth Nritya Academy. Ramya has also performed as part of the stem group under Smt. Madhu Natarajan. .

KALAMANDALAM MUKUNDAN Kathakali

Kalamandalam Mukundan received training in Kathakali at Kerala Kalamandalam since 1993. He specialized _n Kathakali Vesham and received scholarship from the Department of Culture, Government of India.

He has participated as a resource person in Kathakali workshops conducted by Mahadeva Natyagruham Pandalam Drisyavedi, Thiruvananthapuram, and conducted lecture-demonstration on Kathakali at several educational institutes.

Presently, Kalamandalam Mukundan is working as an instructor in Kathakali at Kerala Kalamandalam. He has received awards and honours from several institutions including the Kerala Kalamandalam.

BHARGAVI GOPALAN &: SHANMUGA SUNDARAM Bharatanatyam

Bhargavi Gopalan

Bhargavi Gopalan received her training in Bharatanatyam under Smt. K.J. Sarasa on a scholarship from CCRT. She has performed widely in prestigious dance festivals across the country and abroad such as a festival organized by the Department of Art & Culture, Government of Pondicherry and SZCC, Thyagaraja Festival, Bharat Kalachar, Krishna Gana Sabha, Karthik Fine Arts, and Mamallapuram Dance Festival.

Bhargavi has given several performances in Italy for creating awareness about the Indian culture. She has also conducted lecture-demonstrations on a sponsorship from Per Donare Association, Italy.

K. SHANMUGA SUNDARAM

K. Shanmuga Sundaram received his training in Bharatanatyam from Smt. K. J Sarasa. He has also acquired proficiency in Nattuvangam. He was selected by the Tamil Nadu Eyal lsai Nataka Manram under the talent promotion scheme, 1999-2000.

Shanmuga has performed at various festivals within the country and outside, such as Natyanjali Trust, Chennai, Kartik Fine Arts, Rasika Ranjana Sabha, Trichy, Shri Sathguru Sangeetha Samajam, Madurai. He has also travelled to Dubai, Singapore, Sharjah and Switzerland to present Bharatanatyam recitals.

Presently, Shanmuga is assisting his teacher, Smt. K.J. Sarasa in imparting training to young artists in her institute, Swaralaya.

ARTISTS OF SNA'S PROJECT OF SUPPORT TO CHHAU DANCE Mayurbhanj Chhau

Sangeet Natak Akademi's project of support to Chhau dance has been launched with a view to support, sustain, and provide performance opportunity to this artistic tradition. Support is extended both for strengthening the existing performers and setting up new training centres, thereby creating an ambience for regular training and practice of Chhau dance traditions. The training programme has been continuing for more than a decade in places like Mayurbhanj and Seraikella.

The artists of the Mayurbhanj Chhau Project being featured in the festival are Ramchandra Das, Loknath Das, Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, Harish Chandra Samal, Pagalu Jena, Ranjan Baitha, Foren Dhada, Ramakaanta Sen, Nabakishore Ghadei (Dhol), Loknath Dhada (Dhumsa), Chhatis Dhada (Dhol), Gambhir Dhada and Kishore Ghadei (Mohuri), Ratan Ghadei (Kadka).