Margam — A Dance Workshop

The Aradhana Committee announces two unique dance workshop opportunities during the 2010 Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana. We invite participants who are quick learners, and who are willing to work hard and dedicate their time to the 10-day workshops.

Kuchipudi Workshop by
Smt. Bala Kondala Rao

Bala Kondala Rao is one of the senior-most, prime disciples of Vempati Chinna Satyam. She had the privilege of being the first principal of the Kuchipudi Kalaa Kshetra, established by Vempati in the port city as an offshoot of the Kuchipudi Art Academy he founded much earlier at Chennai, for about ten years from 1985.

Best young danseuse award of the Central Sanngit Natak Akademi in 1974, Natya Visaarada of the Kuchipudi Art Academy next year followed by Sringaramani of the Sur Sringar Samsad (Mumbai) in 1976, Delhi Sangita Natak Academy award in 1984, Siddhendra Kalaakshetra award in 1986, Rajiv Gandhi award through Andhra University in 1987, AP Jaycees award in 1988, AP Government's Kalaa Puraskar in 1995, Madras Telugu Academy's Ugadi Puraskar in 1997 and AP State Ugadi Puraskar in 1998 are only a few samples of her achievements.

Students of both Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi are welcome to take part in this workshop.

Bharathanatyam Workshop by
Smt. Gayathri Balagurunathan and Sri V. Balagurunathan

Gayatri and her husband Sri. V. Balagurunathan, are products of the world famous Kalakshetra Foundation. Together, they have toured many countries and have conducted many shows and workshops for a variety of audiences.

Gayathri, is the daughter of the late Krishnaveni Lakshmanan and started her lessons under her mother very early, went on to study dance at Kalakshetra and now performs widely and works out of Chennai. Balagurunathan, a post-diploma holder, has recently returned to Chennai after working as a dance guru at the Indian Fine Arts Society, Singapore. The team also runs a performing group in Chennai called Krishnanjali.

Workshop Details

  • The workshops will take place April 2–10, 2010. They will be 2 hours each, conducted one after the other each day, starting at 10:00am.
  • The workshops will be conducted in the Viking Hall Ballroom on Euclid Ave across from the University.
  • The dancers will be taught in a group setting for a finale performance on April 11, 2010.
  • The Guru(s) will select the participants for the final performance. Attending the workshop does not guarantee that you will be part of the performance.
  • Individual dance styles will not be altered.
  • Due to the intense nature of the workshop, participants must be present for all 10 days.

How to Apply

The cost for each workshop is $350, or $600 if you wish to participate in both.

Please send your dance bio-data, a letter containing contact information (including an e-mail address), along with a check payable to:

Aradhana Committee
3447 Granton Ave
Cleveland OH 44111-2971

Please indicate which workshop(s) you are interested in in your letter. All material should be postmarked by March 26, 2010.

If you have any questions, please contact Radhika Balasubramaniam (radhika@aradhana.org).