UK: Bharata Natyam Dance – Performance and Workshop With Ganga Grace at Yoga Ananda
Reigate, Surrey | Fri, 8 Oct – Sat & Sun, 9-10 October, 2010
In the programme of October Yoga Ananda Holistic Centre proposes a performance and a Workshop of Bharata Natyam Dance given by the acclaimed Bharata Natyam performer, Ganga Grace.
Bharata Natyam is one of the six styles of Indian Classical Dance. It originated in the temple art of South India and used to be performed as an expression of worship and devotion to the Divine. It was brought to the secular stage in the 20th century and has gained great popularity all over the world in the last few decades. It involves both abstract and mimic dance. The abstract or “pure” dance is characterized by clarity and symmetrical precision. The rhythmic variations and intricate dance patterns are ornamented with graceful poses and hand gestures. The mimic dance uses a highly stylized gesture language, while using the hands and facial expression as important tools in expressing subtle emotions.
No other technique or dance form has given so much attention to gesture as has Indian classical dance. Spiritually, psychologically and visually, each gesture is thought out to the minutest detail.
Performance “Eternity Is Now”
Friday, 08th October 2010
“Eternity Is Now” explores the union and separation of the male and female polarities.
It examines and shifts between two levels that exist simultaneously: on one hand there is the macrocosmic level with its apparent separation of god and goddess, the male and female principle, which is the cause of relationship, the cause of creation and a world of duality. On the other hand there is the individual, the microcosmic level of existence, who finds him/herself in a disconnected universe of duality, of separate identities.
Essentially, the bliss of union is never lost, except in the experience of the individual, who yearns to integrate the male and female polarities within in order to re-enter the state of wholeness.
A philosophical concept which penetrates deeply into the modern woman’s and man’s longing for harmony and wholeness in a fragmented world and celebrates the joy that is at the root of all life. It is performed as a solo.
Hours: 19h30 – 21h30
Value: £12 per person at the door, £10 pre-booked
Bharat Natyam Dance Workshop
Sat, 9th Oct and Sun, 10th October 2010
In this workshop you will learn:
- Yoga postures and sequences preparing the body for dance
- Yoga ásanas cooling the body after aerobic exercise (dance)
- Hand gestures used in Bharata Natyam
- Specific movements of the eyes, neck, head, shoulders, arms
- Dance poses
- Adavus: the single steps and sequences used to create choreographic patterns
- Mimic dance, the basics
- A mimic dance piece
- Abstract dance
- The philosophy that lies at the root of the Indian arts
Hours: Saturday, 9th Oct: 11h – 17h – Sunday, 10th Oct: 10h – 16h – (Note: different times on the two days)
Value: £50 per day per person
About Ganga Grace
Ganga Garce is an accomplished classical & neo-classical Bharata Natyam dancer. Her performances have been highly acclaimed in India and Europe.
A native of Croatia, Ganga Grace has spent most of her life abroad, namely in Germany, India and USA. At the age of fourteen, she completed the primary school of ballet and then continued to receive training in various other styles of dance: Contemporary Dance, Jazz, Flamenco, Dunham and Martha Graham. While continuing her dance career, she studied German language and literature and Phonetics and graduated in 1988. In 1989 she was drawn to Bharata Natyam and spent several years in India studying Indian philosophy, Yoga, Sanskrit, Indian Music, vocal, percussions and dance.
She was the director of the Ananda Dhiira Yoga Centre in Northern California, USA between 1995 and 2001.
Ganga Grace is firmly rooted in the classical idiom of Bharata Natyam, while bringing fresh and daring creative impulses to the traditional repertoire.
Inspired by her spiritual journey and practice of Yoga, she brings a new wealth of ideas to her choreographies and draws inspiration from both, occidental and oriental sensibilities. Her focus is on presenting philosophical and spiritual concepts and making them accessible and comprehensible to a wide audience.
During the past decade Ganga Grace has performed and taught in India, Germany, Holland, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Croatia and the UK. Her performances have been highly acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. According to her critics they are marked by grace, perfection, subtlety, deep involvement and a rare sensitivity in abhinaya.
Location: Yoga Ananda Holistic Centre, 46 Albert Road North – Reigate, Surrey, RH2 9E – UK
More information:
Email: info@yogaAnanda.co.uk – T: 01737 222 400 – Web: www.yogaananda.co.uk – www.gangagrace.com
See also other events by: Yoga Ananda
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