The national dance, music and theatre academy - called the Sangeet Natak Akademi - in Delhi, mounted a 6 day juggernaut of dance from October 16-21. Gurus, shishyas, sadhaks, stars, critics and academicians rubbed shoulders with technicians, teachers, tribal and folk artistes. New vocabulary for dance was addressed - like traditional instead of classical and indigenous instead of folk. For over 500 dance related people to meet in one place, for so many days from 9am to 9pm was like going on a pilgrimage. In the end, there was manthan. Read more in the site
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Very informative and enriching. Many Lengends ,different traditions
ReplyDeleteSo rich in its experience all written so elaborately to reach us all
Wonderful, excellent and very vibrant coverage. Analytically very perfect ( it is my opinion) and at the same time sweet fountain like lucid language. Thanks to the reviewer, convey my regards to him. Prof.Mahua Mukherjee. gaudiyamahuamukherjee@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAshishji it was like seeing the whole event once more . Thank you .
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
Jayaprabha Menon
Mohiniyattam Exponent
International Academy of Mohiniyattam
Certainly the most all encompassing coverage... as great as Sandhya-ji's all time great successful SNA endeavour. Like never before before before.
ReplyDeleteWitnessed the pure divine magic on the stage on Oct 19th at International Dance Festival, New Delhi. Guru Archana Joglekar’s vision, excellence and dedication reflected in her choreography and it was beautifully delivered by her disciples trained for years under her tutelage. The bond between guru and shishyas could really be felt in her opening speech with her address “ Meri Betiyan” for them. Standing ovation by great personalities of Indian Classical Dance field would definitely serve as a great motivation for these performers who have not only traveled thousands of miles all the way from the USA, but also practiced for hours relentlessly.
ReplyDeleteTruly a world class performance by disciples of Kathak Guru Pandita Archana Joglekar. It was not a Archana Joglekar AND group in true sense…🙁. I wish the maestro herself performed too… I was disappointed to see her magic just for couple of minutes towards the end only….
ReplyDeleteCrisp and well worded commentary/summary of all sessions, taking out important points to be highlighted by Ashish ji. Nice to remind all greats when as a young i used to watch on Doordarshan and read articles in News Papers.
ReplyDeletemy email gmisra@iitkalumni.org
ReplyDeleteThe Kathak performance by Guru Archana Joglekar’s group on day 4 was captivating.
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful performance that left me (and I know others too) impressed on multiple counts.
To start with the beginning, I loved her speech and how it opened in Hindi. It was heartfelt, authentic and I could feel the emotion and happiness and gratitude that was expressed. Very well written and expressed beautifully.
The summary introduction and the individual commentary for each piece was crisp, well written and delivered with panache, in tune with her art and craft as a presenter and actress.
I watched many other performances and I was surprised no one did a commentary and introduction of their pieces like she did. I wonder why...this is so necessary for such performances.
'Sur Niragas ho" came out beautifully and sure it touched everyone, even those who were not aware of the original composition.
I liked the ending also the way Archanaji entered, took a bow with the team and the graceful exit that seems to be her signature style.
There used to be a time, not too long ago, when Indian performers of music/dance in the US (or outside India) were appreciated simply for being there and practicing it outside India.
One didn't really expect the performance to be of quality matching that of performers from India.
It is clear that Guru Archanaji and her team has changed that, at least for Kathak.
The quality and level and finish were better than the ones that I saw in many ways. I am sure the discerning audience saw it and appreciated it.
The fact that this was delivered with the so-called "amateur" performers who are not really doing this full time, is no mean feat.
I was puzzled , a bit disappointed, that we didn't see Maestero herself perform (she may have had her reasons).
Vaibhav Sharma's presence on the stage as the anchor in many pieces is a very welcome addition that enriches the overall performances and differentiates it at a certain level.
Guru Archana Joglekar’s presence as a Maestero in USA is gain of USA, and the next generation of dancers growing up there. It may not be really a loss to India as she is Indian cultural ambassador there. I am sure India will keep calling her again and again like a daughter coming to “Maika” as she put it in her speech.
Anirudh Joshi
Sriparna
ReplyDeleteHi Tai,
This is my review
I have had the privilege of witnessing a stunning dance performance by Guru Archana Joglekar's students at the International Indian Dance Festival in Delhi on Oct. 19th. Their meticulously planned routines captivated the audience, leaving them spellbound. Coming from the United States, the dancers demonstrated impeccable synchronization and great clarity in their footwork. Their performance truly fused eastern grace with western spirit, highlighting their Guru's commitment to excellence.
I have witnessed the IFID in Delhi and after reading this I'm surprised to see the appropriateness and exactness of the summary given of the entire festival! Ashish sir your brain seems to be like a CPU as you remember everything and that too in so much of detail (I wonder how do you do that!) Thank you for this and for being you!🙌🏻
ReplyDeleteThank you for such extensive, concise, reliable and hands-on coverage. It will be my record of the IFID conference. (Did you ever take a break between the back-to-back 5 sessions per day?!)
ReplyDeleteThe coverage of the The Mahakumbha of SNA by Asis was a commendable exercise in documentation. Son of the legendary master in documentation Late Mohan Khokarji,he has inherited the art and he is not a chip but a CHUNK of the old block. The sheer details of the persons in the background who conducted the Festival in the organization apart from the program list are unique.
ReplyDeleteAsis has to be congratulated for the coverage of the Mahakumbh with appropriate and at times tangential comments which are appropriate. I agree with him that in dealing with history of Odissi mentioning only Dr. Charles Fabri and ignoring the rest was very unfortunate. Yes, Dr. Fabri was the first one to cover Orissi (he called it Orisi) in his Art column for the first time on 5th November 1954 and was a part of the stalwarts who led to the Consolidation of Orissi (now Odissi) and I am happy that Asis has mentioned the names of Kabichandra Kalicharan Patnaik, Shri Dhiren Patnaik amongst others including Mohanji who literally fought for its recognition.
I congratulate Asis for this marathon and ace coverage.
P. Mohanty Hejmadi
Vidushi Archana Joglekar does run a performing arts institution in New Jersey; but what is overwhelmingly appreciable is that for decades, she is nurturing a golden bridge between the opulent materialistic West with the nuanced, rich, fine arts of the East. The benediction of knowledge and skill she is imparting to the Indo-American youngsters to trace their roots to this great nation and to carry forward the invaluable legacy of the Indian classical dance art form in the United States of America, is unfathomable.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate to witness the performance of her troupe at the coveted platform of the International Dance Festival at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. The meticulously choreographed performance presented by her able students, adroitly brought to the finish by a brief informal recital by herself, is just astounding!
[Ranjit Brahmachary]
brahmachary@gmail.com
Congratulation sir, you are an icon of dance critic. Beautiful sessions, meaningful talk and informative notes. phenomenal coverage of the Mahakumbha.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes
Gururaju N
Kuchipudi Artiste- Bangalore
danceguru81@gmail.com