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T V A M 2016 Summer Concert Series
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T H E
A R T I S T S
Tat Tvam Asi brings to Austin a summer concert series of dance productions of unparalleled beauty !
CHITRAVALI A Rama Vaidyanathan Production
Come experience the magic of Chitravali ! July 30, 2016
Chitravali, A Rama Vaidyanathan production, is a cohesive coming together of three creative paths of painting, music, and dance.
Accompanied by a highly accomplished LIVE ORCHESTRA, Rama Vaidyanathan will be presenting her much acclaimed production CHITRAVALI in Austin, on July 30, 2016.
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As no art form can exist in isolation, Chitravali brings three creative paths of painting, music, and dance to create a picture book where we can see, hear, and experience Krishna.
The vastness of Krishna's form can be celebrated through various forms of art and to truly experience Krishnamaya one must immerse ourselves in this sweetness of his unparalleled beauty through a whole gambit of artistic expressions ! RAJPUT MINIATURE PAINTINGS, verses from the Bhagwatham in the ancient Sanskrit language, Bandhishes from HINDUSTANI MUSIC and the dance form of BHARATHANATYAM, all form petals of a lotus that blossoms to spread the fragrance of Krishnamaya !
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Rama Vaidyanathan is one of India's leading classical dancers.
She is considered as one of the best interpreters of the ancient art form of Bharathanatyam. She has been fortunate to have trained intensively under the legendary dancer Yamini Krishnamurty. Rama has also been under the guidance of the eminent Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan. Everyone who has seen Rama perform is struck by her unique thought process and fresh approach to dance. While deeply routed in tradition, she has evolved her own individual style without forsaking the core principles of Bharathanatyam. Rama has been performing professionally for the past twenty years and is one of the most sought after dancers of her generation. She brings to her dance a rare sense of devotion and dedication, which leaves the audience with a sense of spiritual fulfillment. From rural Indian schools to the World Music Institute in New York, her performances around the globe have earned her critical acclaim from renowned critics. She also performs regularly for SPIC MACAY to help create an interest for Bharathanatyam in today's generation.
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AWARDS & TITLES Rama has received many prestigious awards and titles for her contribution to Bharathanatayam. Some of her noteworthy awards have been the following. KALAIMAAMANI – From The Tamil Nadu State Government
BALASARASWATI AWARD – From Sriragam Fine Arts, Chennai
SANSKRITI AWARD – From The Sanskriti Pratishthan
BEST DANCER AWARD – From The Music Academy, Chennai
JEWEL OF INDIA – From the Government Of Srilanka
NATYA KALA VIPANCHEE – From Vipanchee, Chennai
NADANA MAMANI – From Kartik Fine Arts, Chennai
TEJASWINI AWARD – From the FICCI YFLO, Delhi [Young FICCI Ladies Organization]
VANI KALA SUDHAKARA – From Tyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai
GR8 WOMEN ACHIEVERS AWARD– From Kelvinator, Mumbai
NATYA BHAIRAVI – From Bhairavi Gana Sabha
NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD – From All India Unity Conference, Delhi
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R a m a
V a i d y a n a t h a n Reviews
“If there is a high priestess of Bharathanatyam, it should be Rama!” Argus, Pavilion Theatre, Brighton, U.K. “Rama has an individualistic statement and style, strongly expressive of her joy and exuberance. Her lucid introductions matched each one of the aesthetically pleasing items.She is an artiste who works at many levels and uses her art as a tool to express her solidarity with various levels. The fire power and ebullience, the athleticism and rhythmic prowess have always been there as strong ingredients for a successful solo career.” The Hindu, Delhi “Ms. Vaidyanathan showed the beauty and expressiveness of Bharathanatyam in terms of full-stretched line, gesture and rhythm.” The New York Times “Another artist now showing real mastery was Rama Vaidyanathan; and in her recital, the surprising element was humor, with constant dashes of satire, wryness and amusement.” The New York Times "Rama must be ranked among the five most notable talents at the close of the century….Her intensity and command stops the viewer dead in his tracks.” The Hindustan Times
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Shubhamani will be playing the Nattuvangam for Chitravali.
SHUBHAMANI CHANDRASHEKAR, started learning Bharatnatyam at the age of 5 under her illustrious mother Sharadhamani Shekar, founder of ‘Sanathana Natyalaya’ Later, she was sent to Chennai to continue her journey in Bharathanatyam at the KALAKSHETRA FOUDATION for 5 years, from where she passed out successfully in the year of 2013, while achieving the highest score in dance all over India. She is currently pursuing B.A. from Technia Institute of Arts and Design, Delhi.. In 2013, she started training under the renowned and very respected dancer, Guru kalaimamani Rama Vaidyanathan at Padmabhushan Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan's dance institution called 'Ganesa Natyalaya' in Delhi. During her training, she also took part in her Guru Rama Vaidyanathan's dance productions, performances, workshops and residencies. She has also accompanied her guru on Nattuvangam, a very significant instrument of Bharatnatyam.
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Ranita De is the vocalist for Chitravali.
Born in a musical family Ranita de started her training in music from her father Tapan Kumar de at age of 3. Ranita started her journey of learning Hindustani classical music in the Kasoor patiala gharana from her guru Ustad Raza Ali Khan at the age of 4. Ustad Ji is the grandson of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and son of Ustad munawar Ali Khan. Ranita was born and brought up in Kolkata and she started giving her first performances in Kolkata. Later Ranita started performing in different places of India. She is associated with Spicmacay, an organisation which educates school kids about Hindustani classical music and other traditional performing arts. She has given workshop demonstrations in different places like Rajasthan, Assam, Chattisgarh and in various cities around India and abroad. Ranita is a radio artist and a Doordarshan graded artist. She has also received the national scholarship award from the ministry of culture and art of India.
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Vishal Nagar will be playing the Tabla, as part of the musical ensemble for Chitravali.
Soulful musicality along with graceful virtuosity makes Vishal Nagar truly one of the most gifted Tabla musicians of his generation. Rhythmic creativity and a strong emotional connection with his music contribute to Vishal’s admiration as a performer amongst dancers, vocalists and instrumentalists alike. Also a dynamic soloist, he has been one of the youngest Indian musicians to perform at the WOMAD music festival, World Rhythm Festival, and Bumbershoot to mention a few. Son of the renowned Kathak danseuse and vocalist Vidushi Urmila Nagar, Vishal has been trained under his mother, Late Ustad Latif Khan and Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan. A vibrant performer, Vishal is also a highly sought after and dedicated educator based out of New Delhi and San Francisco Bay Area who continues to perform and teach in India, the US and abroad while serving as an ambassador of Tabla.
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Suhail Yusuf Khan will be playing the Sarangi for Chitravali.
Suhail, a devoted Sarangi player has been hailed as a child prodigy in the world of Indian Classical music. Continuing in the family tradition, Suhail draws from a rich musical heritage and is an eighth generation Sarangi player. A descendant of the MoradabadRampur and Senia Gharana of MIYAAN TANSEN, he is the grandson of renowned Sarangi legend, Padmabhushan and Padmashree recipient, USTAD SABRI KHAN, and nephew of the Sarangi genius, USTAD KAMAL SABRI. At the age of seven Suhail started learning to play the Sarangi under the tutelage of his Uncle and Grandfather, in the ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’ which is the Traditional Indian Schooling method of imparting of knowledge from the Guru “teacher” to the Shishya “student’ . Suhail gave his first live performance at the age of 11, with his Grandfather and Uncle. Since then he has performed extensively in India & abroad covering France, Belgium, Italy, all of Scandinavia, Switzerland, South Africa, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malayasia, Sri Lanka; the Middle East and has toured the UK extensively. Suhail is a multifaceted artiste who is also a music composer; singer & song writer. His versatility extends to varied genres of music from Indian Classical Music to contemporary Rock Fusion; Jazz Fusion ; World Music; Folk Music Fusion. The British Council, New Delhi has Suhail as a Cultural Ambassador from India to the UK. He also has the honour of being a graded musician with All India Radio, the Indian public radio broadcaster.
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2 U P C O M I N G
C O N C E R T S
Please contact : Sruthi Mohan at tattvamasi2015@gmail.com for details !
This year’s Summer Concert Series promises to be the most exciting series of events hosted by Tat Tvam Asi ! TARA, featuring actress and Classical dancer Divyaa Unni premiers in Austin on July 31st at the historic Austin Scottish Rite Theatre. Tickets are available for purchase here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tara-tickets-25779575404 Margam, featuring Rukmini Vijayakumar will show in Austin on August 27th at the Zach Theatre. Tickets are available for purchase here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/margam-tickets-25783194228 12