Bharatha Natyam: Choreography for Global Stage

Description

Choreography for Global Stage introduces readers to the exciting, challenging, ever-changing, and dynamic world of choreography for a global audience. Jayanthi Raman brings four decades of her experience and expertise as a scholar, master artist, author, and successful choreographer in writing this book. Foreword written by Carla Mann, Judy Massee Professor of Dance, Reed College, Portland, OR. The publication invites readers to experience the artistry and creativity of dance choreographers as they embrace the influx of multitude of dance styles specifically the bi-lateral influence of Indian classical dance and world dance forms including modern, ballet and other contemporary dance styles. The publication presents all aspects of dance choreography as an art form, including chapters on: phases of choreography; the dancer; the audience; global influences affecting Indian dance - specifically Bharatha Natyam; and inevitably the influence this art has had on modern dance; evolution of the art from its roots and structured vocabulary in ancient Sanskrit literature to current era. Dance in education, careers in dance and the business of choreography is approached. Among the eight classical dance styles in India, focus will be on Bharatha Natyam, which has become a world-wide phenomenon, thanks to multitude of teachers and students thriving in small rural cities to larger urban spaces. The dance has risen from within the temples of India with its antiquated roots to its modern day practice in South Asian communities; spreading across the globe and ever evolving with influence of global dance styles. Indian classical dance has moved from the outer fringes of exotic world dance realm to its current position on international stage. Dance, as other art forms is evolving reflecting the inter-cultural effects of globalization. Many teachers and students of the Indian diaspora are methodically expanding the access into local Universities, colleges, cultural and community events. The book incorporates dramatic photos and helpful charts that illustrate text information, including photos of some of the author's previous dance productions.

Jayanthi Raman has been performing and teaching Bharatha Natyam for over four decades. Recipient of many awards and honors consistently over the years, she has been referred to as a scholar, cultural treasure, master artist, world-class dancer, and is considered the Gold Standard of Indian Dance in the region by the press and her peers. She is has been performing and teaching in Portland, OR. Gaining much of this knowledge as an oral tradition from the Gurus of Indian dance, in the Kalakshetra lineage, she has structured the knowledge into a written format. Raman has also brought much of the information in this book from research done for book as well as her lectures, master classes, and workshops presented over the years at various U.S. colleges and Universities, having served as a cultural ambassador of her art form and culture. Jayanthi shares her experience and expertise as a performer, choreographer, having presented numerous full length dance productions successfully for global audience on multiple regional and national tours across the US. Bharatha Natyam The Dance of India: Choreography for Global Stage introduces readers to the exciting, challenging, ever-changing, and dynamic world of choreography for a global audience. Jayanthi Raman brings four decades of her experience and expertise as a scholar, master artist, author, and a very successful choreographer in writing this book. Foreword has been written by Carla Mann, Professor, Department of Dance, Reed College, Portland, OR. The publication invites readers to experience the artistry and creativity of dance choreographers as they embrace the influx of multitude of dance styles specifically the bi-lateral influence of Indian classical dance and world dance forms including modern, ballet and other contemporary dance styles. The publication presents all aspects of dance choreography as an art form. For information about the author: www.jayanthiraman.com Get connected: www.facebook.com/jayanthiramandance Other books by this author: Bharatha Natyam The Dance of India: Demystified for Global Audience Bharatha Natyam The Dance of India: Grammar and Technique Bharatha Natyam The Dance of India: Illustrated Dictionary FOREWORD by Carla Mann, Judy Massee Professor of Dance, Reed College Bharatha Natyam performances in the U.S. are rightly valorized for offering windows into a rich classical tradition and highlighting the brilliant artistry of its performers. But few from outside that tradition have the background to read the codes of these performances and fewer still recognize the work of Bharatha Natyam choreographers or the processes through which Bharatha Natyam, as a form, constantly evolves. How might we--you, me, my students--train our eyes to better see these dances in all their layered complexity and depth, in their classicism and innovation? How might we better understand their meanings, their evolution, their impact on us, their impact on others? I suggest we start here, with Jayanthi Raman's wonderful Bharatha Natyam, The Dance of India: Choreography for the Global Stage. Jayanthi is, quite frankly, an icon for Bharatha Natyam in the Pacific Northwest--a brilliant choreographer, performer, and educator who has worked tirelessly to create and present international-caliber performances for over three decades. Relocating to Portland, Oregon in the 1990s, Jayanthi soon integrated herself into Portland's lively and inclusive arts scene, setting herself the ambitious task of creating dances that exemplify the historical values of Bharatha Natyam while also speaking to contemporary audiences, both Indian and non-Indian. Often working collaboratively with classical and contemporary artists in other disciplines, Jayanthi seeks to use Bharatha Natyam as a way to speak across cultures, across geography, and across time.