NAPERVILLE, Ill.
Samskriti Foundation is hosting “Rasaanubhavam: an interactive exploration of Raga, Rasa and Rhythm” within its “Anubhava” series of workshops here at Madden Theater, Naperville, April 26 (see accompanying Desi Talk ad for details of time, venue, tickets, etc.). This program of Indian dance and music has been conceptualized by Samskriti’s founder-director Shoba Natarajan.
‘Rasaanubhavam’ explores the art of creating and conveying the expressions of different emotions and moods (rasa). All Indian theater, dance and music performances aim to evoke such aesthetic responses in the experience (anubhava) of the audience. This program will educate how dancers use physical movements, facial expressions and distinctive poses to create emotions that are further emphasized by use of appropriate melodic patterns (raga) and rhythms (tala) accompanying the dance. Indian music is incomparable in the vastness of melodic and rhythmic patterns, and their systematic analysis and codification over thousands of years. Dance expressions and patterns have been similarly documented over this period. This strong theoretical foundation facilitates creation of artistic expressions, both extempore as well as through traditions handed down across generations.
Sanskrit scholar Maragatham Sundaresan will explore the set of moods as laid down in the 2,200-year-old Naatya Shaastra, the authoritative foundational treatise on the performing arts. Percussion artist Vinodh Gopinath will educate the audience in the use of rhythmic patterns in conveying the chosen moods, through the use of his mridangam. World renowned musician Chitraveena Ravikiran from Chennai, India, will enlighten the audience on how emotions are portrayed through different melodic forms. Well-known dancer Sudha Chandrasekhar from Michigan will demonstrate these moods and emotions through performance. As a grand finale, all four presenters will come together and compose extempore, a set of lyrics with the rhythm, melody, and dance to accompany the lyrics, using the tools of their established traditions.
Acclaimed dancer, teacher, choreographer in two Indian classical dance styles, Natarajan is recipient of several honors, including the prestigious Presidential Teacher Award for the Arts. This unique educational experience is suited to all age groups. The theater has wheelchair accessibility.
Rasaanubhavam is on Sunday, April 26, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at Madden Theater, Wentz concert hall, North Central College, 171 Chicago Avenue, Naperville, Illinois. Tickets at $25 (reserved seating), $15 (adult) and $10 (children 12 and below) are available online at www.samskriti.yapsody.com. For more information, visit www.samskriti.com or contact Shoba at (630) 527-1898 or info@samskriti.com.
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