Smaran Dance Festival - 2015 was conducted on November 22, 2015 at Historic Hoover Theater, San Jose, California
In 2015, we had a number of applications and our panel of Judges from India selected few amazing talented dancers Archana Raja (Bharatanatyam), Meena Vemuri (Kuchipudi), Jeevika Bhat (Odissi), Divija Bhimaraju (Kuchipudi) and Supriya Sasikumar (Mohiniyattam)
We were fortunate to have renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Smt. Indira Kadamdi performing few of her beautiful items.
Smaran Dance Festival was associated once again with Aram Sei, a local non-profit organization, that we always support and truly believe in their cause of supporting grassroot charities worldwidewith specific focus on education and healthcare. Click on the link to know more about Aram Sei: https://aramsei.wordpress.com/home/
Smaran Dance Festival - 2015 Highlights
Celebrity Artist from India
Smt. Indira Kadambi, Chennai
She is an empanelled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India. She has traveled widely in India and in UK, USA, Germany, France, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Malaysia,etc., for performances, workshops & leacture demonstrations. She is the faculty member for Natyarangam camp, a dance wing of Narada Gana Sabha and ABHAI. Reviews in the papers, interviews for the various Radio, Television networks and the press have brought her art more recognition.
Savvy Magazine says - Indira Kadambi and T.V.Ramprasadh share more than just the marital bond. They further enrich each other’s lives by sharing their art too. Their performances together have made them a unique couple to watch in the dance circuit , where the connoisseurs are treated to a very high level of dance and music, in perfect synchronization.
Indira and Ram have set up the institution Ambalam, Centre for Performing Arts in Chennai, where they have been training students for the past decade, many of whom are good performers. Several dedicated students and teachers from India and abroad visit Indira annually for intensive training sessions. She specializes in teaching Abhinaya and Nattuvāngam. She is one of the most sought after Abhinaya teacher today.
The woman’s face was like a canvas on which she could conjure any emotion, any expression, any state humanly possible. It wasn’t beautiful or poignant but a plain, average, mortal face when at rest. In an instant, though, the woman could transform it to encompass heaven or hell. She also was able to take her time and let feeling ripen slowly. Sometimes her thoughts woke gradually, allowing doubts to dissolve imperceptibly into the calmest of dreams. This face I’ll not forget is a face that dances. It belongs to Indira Kadambi…..Her features play their games so naturally that one must remind oneself to notice the art. .. A Face…. by George Jackson A brilliant performer, a sensitive, innovative and intelligent choreographer, Indira Kadambi has carved a niche for herself as one of the excellent exponents of Bharatanatyam today. Natural grace and flexibility, a great sense of rhythm, chiseled movements and expressive artful interpretations make Indira one of the finest performing artiste. Her abiding commitment, integrity and passion for the art give a sheen to her recitals.
Indira is an outstanding disciple of Smt.Usha Datar, Natyavisharada Narmada and Padmabhusan Smt.Kalanidhi Narayanan. She had her training in Mohiniattam in Kerala under Smt Kalyanikuttiamma and Carnatic Vocal music from Shri.Belakwadi Srinivasa Iyengar.
The couple have been a pioneers in the field of Art Education. In the year 2012, eAmbalam launched World’s first Online college of Indian Performing Arts. The college has long term Diploma courses, Short-term certificate courses, Grade system of Learning and Modular courses in Carnatic Music, Bharathanatyam, Yoga and Meditation. The couple launched Chennai’s very first outdoor festival of free workshops & performances “SaMaaGaMa” in December 2011 in the serene surroundings of Mylapore’s Nageswara Rao park. In 2014, they launched yet another unique K-12 based ‘Life Art Education’ personality development program for schools, where music, dance, yoga and meditation are part of school syllabus for the classes LKG to 12th grade.
Choreography - Major Thematic productions
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Hasya – Highly acclaimed Dance-theatre production depicting the rarely shown aspect – humour;
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Varsha Rithu – The monsoon;
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Purusha Parinaam - a unique production, which explores the concept of Man through time - past, present and future;
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Sadashiva Darisanam - a feature on Lord Shiva;
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Ashta Naayakiyarin Ishta Murugan - a unique production on Lord Muruga;
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Vamshi-The divine flute – combination of Bharatanatyam and English poetry ready.
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Manonmaneeyam – A Tamil epic written by the poet Sundaram Pillai in 1892. This work is based on the legend-The Secret Way, written by The Rt.Hon.Lord Lytton;
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Jugalbandhi- with Mohiniyaatam artist Smitha Rajan;
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'Kavya-Chitra-Geeta-Nritya' -A very unique programme of spontaneous creations in Sanskrit verse, Painting, Music and Dance with Shatavadhani R. Ganesh, and B.K.S. Varma
For her valuable contribution to the art field, Indira has been honored with Natya Shantala Award from Karnataka Aryabhatta Cultural Association and Outstanding Senior Dancer Award from Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai.
Bay Area Talents
Bharatanatyam
Archana Raj
Disciple of Guru Sheela Unni, Chennai
CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR DANCER'S PROFILE
Kuchipudi
Odissi
Jeevika Bhat
Disciple of Jyoti Rout, CA
Meena Vemuri
Disciple of Jyothi Lakkaraju, CA
Kuchipudi
Mohiniyattam
Divija Bhimaraju
Disciple of Samidha Satyam, CA
Supriya Sasikumar
Disciple of Shri.Kalamandalam Pushpalatha
Phone Booking Call:
Vidyalatha Jeerage: (408) 507-0892
Aishwarya Venkat : (408) 306-9667
Chaitra Sathyanarayana: (443) 226-2163
Vibhushita Chandrasekaran: (408) 931-2452
Sai Suma: (650) 996-6417
Megha Herur: (408) 784-9662
Email : Smarangroup@gmail.com
$25 Tickets
Free admission for children 3 years and below