City Kemp News
Saraswathi Educational Cultural and Charitable Trust and Sri Ganapathi Seva Samithi Temple is organising 1st Navvarsh Mahotsav – 2017 – Festival of Dance, in memory of – Smt. Indira Garyali, at Sri Ganapathi Seva Samithi Temple in Koramangala 5th Block on January 1 and 2.
The dance festival inauguration will on Sunday 1st January 2017 at 5.30 pm by V.K.S. Murthy, Sanskrit and Vedic Scholar. Followed by a welcome speech by Gopal Gowda, (Founder and Vice President – Sri Ganapathi Seva Samithi)
Later presentation of award to Guru Smt. B Bhanumathi, (Karnataka Rajyotsava Awardee).
This will be followed by Kathakali solo recital by Sri Prabal Gupta at 6.30 pm; Bharatanatyam Solo by Sri P Praveen Kumar 7.45 pm.
On 2nd January, there will be Kuchipudi recital by Sri. Surya Rao at 6.30 pm; Kathak recital by Nadam Ensemble- Smt. Nandini Mehta, Sri. Murli Mohan Kalva and group at 7.45pm
Prabal Gupta
Prabal Gupta, a most sought after Performer, Choreographer and a research scholar is a prominent name in the world of Kathakali. He is a disciple of the Central Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee and the legendary Kathakali Exponent and Research Scholar – Guru Sri Sadanam Balakrishnan. Prabal is a versatile Kathakali Dancer and can portray both Purusha Vesham and Stree Vesham with ease. Initially trained under Kalamandalam Govindan Kutty and later under Guru Sri FACT Padmanabhan, Prabal continues to learn under Guru Sri Sadanam Balakrishnan. His most sought after research article – “ The Art of Kathakali – Then and Now – A Comparative Analogy” which speaks about soloism in Kathakali and “ The Biological Nomenclatures of StreeVesham and its Aesthetic transformation while performing Kathakali Streevesham by a male” carried under eminent research scholar Padmashree Sunil Kothari are published in various research journals. Prabal is also a graded artist of Doordarshan and is recognized as an “ OUTSTANDING” artist by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India for Festivals of India, Abroad.
Prabal Gupta has performed in all the Major and Prestigious Dance festivals of India and abroad including the major Sabhas of Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. He was also invited to perform for the prestigious Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, SRC, Bangalore. Prabal’s choreographic works have been presented in the most prestigious choreography festivals of India and abroad. He was also invited as an Ambassador to the United States of America to promote Kathakali through workshops, Lecture demonstrations and workshops. Prabal’s recent research paper “ Influence of English Literature on Kathakali” presented at the International Bangalore Centre in collaboration with TARI with portraying Navarasams taking episodes from Shakespearean dramas have received tremendous applause. He is well acclaimed for his three major research productions Lady Macbeth – an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Cleopatra – an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra in Kathakali and “ Manasa Charitam” – an adaptation of Bengal’s folklore – “Manasa Mangal” with lyrics in Sanskrit as a jugalbandi of Kathakali and Painting.
Surya Rao
A befitting physical frame, dexterous footwork, mercurial mobility and expressions that tug at the corners of the heart is what sets Surya apart from the galaxy of dancers. He is known to be an inexhaustible package of all that is expected of a performing artist, who can hold the attention of art connoisseurs. He boldly stepped into the dance arena with rigorous training in the Bharatanatyam by Guru Chandrashekar Navada.
In his sojourn he is also trained in Kuchipudi by Guru Smt. Veena Murthy Vijay, in Kathak by Guru Dr. Maya Rao, in Contemporary by Madhu Nataraj. His has further acquired skills in the Indian martial art forms of Kalaripayattu and Thang-tha and folk-ritual-traditional dance forms and Yakshagana which have added to his flexibility and adaptability to the rich Indian dance heritage.
Surya has obtained a bachelors degree in Choreography along with which he has successfully qualified “Vidhwath” in Bharatanatyam. Received an Honorary Doctorate in Indian Classical Dance from the DUKE University North Carolina USA. A graded artist of the Doordarshan, the Indian National Television channel. Surya’s knowledge of “Natuvangam” and Indian classical music has embellished his artistry.
His performance and choreographic works are highly appreciated by art critics and the media. Today, he has to his credit more than 1000 performances in major dance festivals of India and on prestigious platforms of Europe, the Middle East, United States of America, Singapore, United Kingdom and many more.
Surya believes in spreading awareness and appreciation of the art form that he is so passionate about. It is this very desire that drives him to choreograph for schools and colleges. He has also often played the part of event manager & technical director which has made him a complete artist. With wife Prathama Prasad Rao he runs MAHAMAYA ARTS FOUNDATION In Bangalore.
