Bhagyachandra National Festival of Classical Dance 2011 : Part 4
A brief about the Festival
Organizers *
IX Bhagyachandra National festival of Classical dance held on 11 November 2011 at Kangla, Imphal :: Pix by Siddharth Haobijam
A brief about the artistes performing on Nov 13
Ningthoujam Priyolata Devi
Ningthoujam Priyolata is a young and upcoming artiste of Manipuri classical dance. With a Visharad in dance from the Government Dance Collge, Imphal, Priyolata is presently pursuing her doctoral study in dance at the Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan. She performed in dance festivals like the Raas Festival at JNMDA, Imphal; Ballet Festival, Agartala; Bhagyachandra National Festival of Classical Dance, Imphal; Manipuri Classical Solo Dance Festival of Young Artistes, Imphal; Assam Festival, Majuli Festival, Assam; Festival of Manipur, Kolkata; Festival of Dance Drama, Imphal; Kumba Mela, Ujjain; Khajuraho Festival; Nritya Pratibha, Mangalore; Manipur Tourism Festival, Imphal; 1st International Youth Festival 'Bani Thani', Ajmer; and Festival of Manipuri Classical Solo Dance, Imphal.
Pandit Rajendra Gangani
Pandit Rajendra Gangani is one of the most brilliant exponents of Indian classical dance today. Endowed with a magnetic stage presence and a complete command over his art form, Rajendra is a rare artist who gives his art new directions. Rajendra was born into a family of hereditary dancers who has been practicing Jaipur gharana of Kathak for centuries.
Rajendra's talent lies in preserving the distinctive traditional style of the centuries-old dance form of Kathak, yet infusing it with fresh creative thinking and a contemporary approach of presentation. He has performed and held workshops extensively in India and abroad. He has given numerous performances across the globe, including one at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London; Festival of India in USSR; USA, Italy, Germany, France, Scandina-vian countries, China, Japan, Afghanistan and Middle-East countries. Rajendra's multi-faceted talent comes out in his choreographies.
His sensitivity and creative thinking has made him experiment with themes as wide ranging as a concern over environment; dealing with abstract elements such as hidden moods in rhythm and melody; creating works on themes of Indian mythology and folk legends. A gifted musician, he not only composes the music of his choreographies, he is an accomplished player of various Indian musical instruments.
Vani Ganapathy
At an age when little children play with toys and in parks, Vani Ganapathy began her journey with classical dance. She was four years old when her mother inculcated her into this art form. Vani's training began with Guru TA Rajalakshmi in Calcutta and in three years' time she performed her arangetram, her first public performance at the age of seven. From there on the art form took a special place in her life. When her parents moved to Bombay, Vani had her training from Guru Mahalingam Pillai, Govindaraja Pillai and Kalyanasundaram. This was the time when Vani performed duet with her sister Meera. They were featured in all the big events and festivals of those times.
The combination of the sisters along with their mother Indubala Ganapathy's vocal support and Guru Kalyanasundaram's intricate choreography set the stage on fire and had the audience mesmerised. Her stint as a solo dancer began in 1986. Vani is among the top Bharatanatyam dancers of India today. She has danced all over the country, and in foreign countries like Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, Nepal, Germany, Netherlands, England, Switzerland, and in the Middle East among others. Vani feels that dancing demands the most arduous discipline and to perform it with dedication and involvement is a great responsibility. She enjoys her dancing and for her the greatest wonder of life is the spirit of dance.
Manju Elangbam
Manju Elangbam is a Master in Music from Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal. A recipient of the Junior National Fellowship from the Department of Culture, Government of India, Manju is the grandson of the notable Sankritana singer, Elangbam Anganghal Singh, a doyen of Sankritana singing during the time of Sir Churachand Maharajah and Bodhchandra Maharajah. Manju stood first position in dance at the National Youth Festival held at Pune in 2007.
He also stood first position at the State Youth Competition in Manipuri dance category held at West Bengal in 2006. Manju visited South Korea in 2010 at the behest of Mrs Kim Hwa San and was engaged in Inter-Cultural Experiments. He is presently experimenting with contemporary dance forms with Swiss scholar Mrs Vivian Capt and French scholar Soazik Lelan at the Visva-Bharati University. He is also undergoing his doctoral study in Manipuri Dance at Visva-Bharati.
Pukhrambam Reepa Devi
Pukhrambam Reepa Devi has been learning dance from the tender age of six. She was trained by late Guru Thingbaijam Babu Singh, Th Chourjeet Singh, Smt Th Bimola Devi and Smt A Rasheshori Devi. A Master of Arts in Manipuri Dance from the University of Manipur, and with Diploma in dance from the JN Manipur Dance Academy, Reepa is presently pursuing her Post Diploma study in Raas.
She received Young Talent Scholarship in the field of Manipuri dance from the Ministry of Education, Govt of India in 2003 and 2009. Young and talented, Reepa has participated in several dance festivals, some of which are the Manipur Tourism Festival; Nritya Pratibha, Mangalore; Ritu Sambhar, Imphal; 6th Malayabanta Mahotsav, Orissa; Lok Tarang Folk Festival, New Delhi; ICCR Classical Solo Dance Festival, Imphal; Bishmilah Khan Yuva Puruskar Award ceremony, Delhi; Manipuri Classical Dance Festival, Imphal; and Dance Drama Festival, Imphal
Concluded ....
* This article was publshed at The Sangai Express and Huieyen Lanpao (English Edition)
This article was posted on November 17, 2011.
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