SOCIETY OF DANCE RESEARCH SCHOLARS/CONGRESS ON RESEARCH IN DANCE, University of California, Riverside, CA “The season lineup features new names in the Music Academy roster…… the imposition of live music will soon have to be re-examined as more and more dancers are using good recorded music with the sabhas accepting this transition without any whining about “tradition” and “preservation.” Speaking of tradition, I must commend Los Angeles based Ramya Harishankar who surprised me with a wonderful interpretation of the traditional javali “Yarukkaagilum bhayama?” At the annual CORD conference in Los Angeles that was titled DECENTERING DANCE STUDIES, Ramya sang effortlessly as she negotiated the lyrics, memory of her classes with Kalanidhi Mami and her guru Rajaratnam Pillai – all the time speaking to herself and ruminating on the role- playing that the song called for. It was a mature and bold interpretation, catalyzed by scholar/dramaturg Priya Srinivasan whose new book SWEATING SARIS is a must read. Dressed in a simple kurta pyjama with short hair framing her pleasant face, Ramya’s relaxed ease reminded me that most Indian dancers today cannot sing and many don’t understand music. This AND the global fetish towards physical agility and kinetic excitement has robbed the dance tradition of its inherent poetics. While Kathak seniors lament that the style has become reduced to “chakkars” and Bharatanatyam is all about posing and leaping, it will do well for emerging stars to remember that older generation of artistes could sing, dance, compose, play several instruments and conduct concerts. This all round ability is what made their art and the transmission of the tradition so rich and potent.” Anita Ratnam, Narthaki online SEVANJALI – a fundraiser for Chinmaya Mission, Los Angeles The smallest group of dancers belonged to Ramya Harishankar’s Arpana Dance Company…their coordination and attention to detail in ‘Nithyakalyani’ was engaging. - India West Dancers – Nandini Kannan, Amy Vanmali, Preethi Selvan, Nikeeta Shah & Yashna Nandan Arpana Newsletter 2013
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SOCIETY OF DANCE RESEARCH SCHOLARS/CONGRESS ON RESEARCH IN DANCE, University of
California, Riverside, CA
“The season lineup features new names in the Music Academy roster……
the imposition of live music will soon have to be re-examined as more
and more dancers are using good recorded music with the sabhas
accepting this transition without any whining about “tradition” and
“preservation.” Speaking of tradition, I must commend Los Angeles
based Ramya Harishankar who surprised me with a wonderful
interpretation of the traditional javali “Yarukkaagilum bhayama?” At
the annual CORD conference in Los Angeles that was titled
DECENTERING DANCE STUDIES, Ramya sang effortlessly as she
negotiated the lyrics, memory of her classes with Kalanidhi Mami and
her guru Rajaratnam Pillai – all the time speaking to herself and
ruminating on the role- playing that the song called for. It was a mature
and bold interpretation, catalyzed by scholar/dramaturg Priya Srinivasan whose new book SWEATING
SARIS is a must read. Dressed in a simple kurta pyjama with short hair framing her pleasant face,
Ramya’s relaxed ease reminded me that most Indian dancers today cannot sing and many don’t
understand music. This AND the global fetish towards physical agility and kinetic excitement has robbed
the dance tradition of its inherent poetics. While Kathak seniors lament that the style has become
reduced to “chakkars” and Bharatanatyam is all about posing and leaping, it will do well for emerging
stars to remember that older generation of artistes could sing, dance, compose, play several instruments
and conduct concerts. This all round ability is what made their art and the transmission of the tradition
so rich and potent.”
Anita Ratnam, Narthaki online
SEVANJALI – a fundraiser for Chinmaya Mission, Los Angeles
DANCE CONVERSATIONS – Theatres in dance - a symposium on Indian Dance Theatre @ University of
California, Irvine
“Resounding kudos to Ramya and Priya on bringing to a very fortunate audience, performances that have the power to resonate with the viewer for years to come. It was hard to not be cognizant of the fact that we were witnessing some of the most cerebralized treatment of the art form offered today- it really was an enlivening experience to be a part of their world -of movement, of poetry, of theatre and of expression. Even if only for one night.” Sravani Jandhyala, an audience member & Board member of Ektaa Center
“Ramya, thank you for a ‘wonderful’ conversation and bringing new audiences to CTSA. Your investment both conceptual and of time are bright lights in S. California.” Joe Lewis, Dean, Claire Trevor School of the Arts, University of California, Irvine Participants - Dominique Delorme (Paris), Hari Krishnan (Toronto), Johanna Devi (Berlin), Janet O’Shea (UCLA), Sheetal Gandhi (Los Angeles), Preeti Vasudevan (New York), Ketu Katrak (UCI), Sandra Chatterjee (Salzburg), Elizabeth Kurien (Los Angeles),Cynthia Lee (UNC, N. Carolina), Shyamala Moorthy (Los Angeles), Daphne Lei (UCI), Maya Krishna Rao (Shiv Nadar U, New Delhi), Anusha Kedhar (Colorado College), Ahalya Satkunaratnam (U of Illinois, Urbana Champaign) & Lucy Burns (UCLA).
Convened by Priya Srinivasan (UC Riverside) & Ramya Harishankar
Abhinaya workshops in KL, Malaysia Ramya conducted a 3 day workshop
in abhinaya at the Indian Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur in August
introducing students of Bharata Natyam to her guru, Kalanidhi
Narayanan’s unique style.
Ganesha Fest LA
“Hello Ramyaji, just want to personally thank you and your students for the wonderful performance. Last night on
our way home my husband and I talked about the earnestness in their eyes. The young girls seemed very dedicated
to you and wanted to please you. There are a lot of teachers out there. Very few get the respect you do”.
“You should be very proud of your dancers……... The highlight of the show was your dancers. Everyone here continues to speak about how wonderful they were. They were category A” Sonia Velazquez-Miskulin, Executive Director, Academy of International Dance
ADC at the UNESCO Heritage site – Plitvica Lakes, Croatia
Performance in Karlsruhe, Germany
“It was a great program indeed. We and our audience were very impressed with the performance of the whole group, especially choreography, and Ramya's expressions in her solo performance. The program went on in time and as planned. For the first time in Karlsruhe, 10 Bharata Natyam artists performed at a time. A special praise for the costumes and synchronization.” Jyoti Joshi & Mithul Panchal, Deutsch-indische Gesellschaft e.v. Karlsruhe
Residency at Roger Anton Elementary School, San Bernardino, CA For the 3rd time, Ramya was invited
to conduct a 10 week residency using the Bharata Natyam vocabulary to teach curriculum skills. The 5
classes ranged from kindergarten to children with special needs. Teaching children whose first
language was Spanish to those whose attention span was limited and had behavioral issues was a
challenge but fulfilling. Watching them sit still for 5 minutes was itself a major accomplishment!!
margam revisited – a fund raiser for Rotary Club of Irvine featured choreography by renown
dancer/choreographer Smt. Rhadha
“Margam revisited was fantastic!! Thanks for putting it together. Varnam was amazing! It was wonderful and unique opportunity for us to see you perform stage.Truly, a wonderful learning experience/exposure for the kids and parents, alike.” Sailaja Malladi, Arpana parent
“How can we thank you for your marvelous presentation on Indian dance?? Perhaps the attendees' feedback forms say it best: Ramya is a jewel! I am so transformed….Brilliant! I have seen Indian classical dance performances but now have a much clearer understanding of the dance form…Enthralling! Totally!....Very generous in all the performing she did for us. And she made it look as if the dances had been designed exactly for this space….Ramya is very engaging and dynamic….She is superb --- bring her back! What more can we say? You exceeded all expectations!! Thank you so much.”