For the arty hearty

Whether it's a a dance ballet, an art exhibition or a new store in town, the week ahead gives you plenty to put on your 'to-do' list

Whether it's a a dance ballet, an art exhibition or a new store in town, the week ahead gives you plenty to put on your 'to-do' list

Classical dance enthusiasts have reason to cheer as Nitya Nritya hosts the classical dance festival from April 29, 2009, which isu00a0 International Dance Day, till May 3, 2009.

Organised by the Nupura School of Bharatanatyam, the four-day dance extravaganza will be held at Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan and Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, and will feature renowned artistes from across the country. Lalitha Srinivasan, who heads Nupura School of Bharatanatyam, and a dancer, choreographer and research scholar is the force behind the fest. What's On caught up with the dance diva.

I started in 1978. We are a 30-year-old school. We have performed all over India and abroad. We performed nationally at the Hampi and Pattadkal festivals, Somnathpura, and Kakatiya festivals in addition to featuring in the Guru Shishya Parampara of ICCR at Delhi, Krishna Gana Sabha festival and Music Academy festival at Chennai. We have performed at the South Zone Cultural Centre at Thanjavur, Central Sangeetha Natak Akademy festival, and all over Rajasthan, as well as at Lucknow, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and the South Central Zone Dance Drama festival at Nagpur.

I was a student of Guru Keshavamurthy. Later, I specialised in abhinaya under Dru00a0 K Venkatalakshamma of Mysore. I have also learnt the Muguru style under Jejamma.

What dance form does your troupe specialise in?
We specialise in Bharatnatyam and ballet. I have done research and reconstructed old numbers from ancient history of Karnataka, with what emanates from the old soil and influences the way of life. Our main aim is to popularise the Mysore School of Bharatnatyam. I have performed dance ballets like Chitrangadha, Sri Krishna Parijatha, Lasyotsava, Prem Bhakti Mukti, Koushika Sukritam, Gowdara Malli, Deva Kannika, Anveshane and Nisha Vibhrama and Anga Bhava, Kavya Nritya, and Sulalitha Nritya, which is a revival of a 16th century dance form called the Suladi.

Your shelves are groaning under the weight of awards and citations...
I have won the Shiromani, Priyadarshini awards at the national level, and Karnataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy and Kannada Rajyothsava awards at the state level. I have been fellow of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. The Sangeetha Nritya Academy has published out two of my books on dance. I am also the President of Karnataka Nrityakala Parishath till 2010.

Tell us something about the theme for this fest.
By bringing together different dance forms onto the same platform, we are trying to extend the boundaries of dance. The theme this time is Marga Tharanga, which is a regular repertoire of Bharatanatyam dance. It deals with the holy rivers of our land Bharatha; their mythological significance and their present day portraits.

'Curio'sity factor
The Leela Galleria hosts Phantasmagoria, an exhibition cum sale of contemporary art and sculpture by Anand Bewadkar, Bharati Sagar, Doddamani, Muni Mohan, Neena Singh, Romicon Revola, Sudhir Meher and Shan Re. Some of the artists also present work on canvas, silk, paper, and stainless steel.
Where: The Leela Galleria Level C, Leela Palace Hotel
When: April 30 to May 6, 2009

Budget buys
Reliance Trends has opened its first outlet on Richmond Road. The 18,000 sq ft, air-conditioned showroom has apparel, luggage and accessories like fashion jewellery, belts and bags on offer.

What you will get: Innovative technology solutions offered in products such as aromatic tees for infants, which have a pleasant aroma, Ever White shirts and travel suits for men which are wrinkle- and stain-free. The price points here cater to the classes and the masses, with shirts at Rs 199, jeans for Rs 299 and kidswear for Rs 79. Purchases worth Rs 2000 and above are entitled to gift vouchers of Rs 1000.
Where: 62/2, Richmond Town, next to Sapphire Toys, Richmond Town.

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