Jaishree Rathore,,
INVC,,
Chandigarh,,
The much-cherished Chandigarh Arts and Heritage festival unveiled with a brilliant start with dance theatre performance JALAM by Samudra Performing Arts of Kerala. The four -day-long cultural bonanza was inaugurated by the Mr. K.K. Sharma, Adviser to the Administrator UT Chandigarh. On the occasion Mr. Sharma said, “The four day program, I believe is all set to bring to the people of the tri-city a range of creative expression like music, theatre and literature by some of the most eminent and critically acclaimed artists of national as well as international recognition. Such programs are critical for the society, especially for the younger generation so that they can be re-connected to the rich cultural heritage of the nation and later they in turn can further the cause of cultural integration for the coming generations.” The evening also saw the Release of Cultural Brochure and unveiling of Chandigarh Administration’s Annual Events Calendar by the Chief Guest Mr. K.K.Sharma. JALAM, today’s inaugural performance was visually and aesthetically enriching. JALAM – a contemporary take on water and its many forms of energies. Performed by acclaimed artiste duo Madhu Gopinath and Vakkom Sanjeev who are trained in Bharatnatyam, rope and pole mallakhamb, the act depicted many moods and emotions through powerful dance movements. The two have developed a dance form called Samudranatanam, which is a combination of Bharatnatyam, pole and rope mallakhamb. The performance was directed and Choreographed by Madhu Gopinath & Vakkom Sajeev.
SAMUDRA is the flagship creative dance theatre group in Kerala functioning from Thiruvananthapuram since 1998. With Madhu Gopinath and Vakkom Sajeev at the helm of Samudra, they have performed at various prestigious art houses like Royal Opera House; London, Teatro Romano; Italy to name a few. Samudra has even represented India at many international art and dance festivals like Edinburgh International Festival: UK, Bonn Festival: Germany, Spoleto festival: Italy to name only a few. Visually stunning and rhythmically resonating productions of Samudra has captured the imagination of aficionados across the globe even crossing language barriers. They have collaborated with renowned artist M.F. Hussain and noted film maker Santosh Sivan. With President’s award for Best Choreography and conceptualizing and performing the Agni segment of the closing ceremony of Commonwealth Games in India, Samudra has become one of the few original creative forces in Indian contemporary performing scenario. Samudranatanam, Samudra’s unique dance form which derives its roots from India’s traditional and classical dance forms and martial art forms has become one of the most sought after new idiom in the world of creative dance forms.
During the day performances, The Chandigarh Arts & Heritage Festival also hosted a theatre workshop by eminent theatre director Kumardas who is trained at the National School of Drama, Delhi and is also on their visiting faculty. This workshop held at the Tagore Theatre sector had participation of about 30 youngsters from different Arts Sphere.
Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi and Chandigarh Administration also opened the four days Art workshop “The Exhibition of Photographs and Installation by Subodh Kerkar” and also an Exhibition of Paintings ‘Landscapes in Miniature: A Quiet Passion’ by Bireswar Sen was started at the Galleries of Alliance Francaise Le Corbusier de Chandigarh.
Entering into its fourth year, the Chandigarh Arts and Heritage festival, has been a platform for world renowned artists like Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shubha Mudgal, Bharatnatyam dancer Vani Ganpathy , Ustad Rashid Ali Khan during last three years maintaining its ethos would present renowned artist through joint collaboration of the three art akademies of Chandigarh – the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi and Sahitya Akademi.
Also present at the occasion were Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration Mr. V.K. Singh; Secretary Cultural Affairs Chandigarh Administration, Mr. D.K.Tiwari; Mr. B.N. Goswami and other senior officials of the Chandigarh Administration.
On 26th April, the slide Lecture: Landscape as Canvas by Subodh Kerker will be held at 5 pm in Government Museum & art Gallery, sector 10 followed by RITURANG- Classical vocal recital by Vasundhara and Kalapini Komkali at 7pm at Tagore Theatre.
