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International Women’s Day 2024

Sathir Dance Art © 2009

Upcoming Workshop:

Devadasi Repertoire Workshop with Dr. Saskia Kersenboom

From the Archives:

Tanjavur Nāṭyam of the Tanjore Quartet: Examining Timelessness of Repertoire and Sequence

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LNK IN BIO. Excerpts of Historical Fiction: “Tanjore Seraglio: Dharmavalli’s ‘Dāni ké’ at Vijaya Mangala Vilasam Mahal” (2009, revised and published in 2016). The author (Jeetendra Hirschfeld) shares a glimpse into the historical narrative set during the reign of the last titular Tanjore King, Sivaji (r. 1832-1855). Drawing from his extensive research on the Tanjore Kingdom and its seraglios, supplemented by oral historical accounts from esteemed dance masters, the narrative transports readers to February 1845. This pivotal moment in time unfolds shortly after the birth of King Sivaji’s second daughter, Princess Vijaya Mohana Muktamba. The protagonist, who also serves as the narrator, makes his fourth visit to the Tanjore Palace for the birth celebrations of the rajah’s daughter. This excerpt provides a vivid account of the protagonist’s experience during a nightly visit to the rajah’s seraglio, where dinner and a nautch party await. The exceptional courtesan Dharmavalli and her all-female band take centre stage, captivating the rajah with their performance of the varnam “Dāni ké” extolling the virtues of their esteemed patron.

LINK IN BIO: On the occasion of Lakshmi Viswanathan’s 80th birthday (1944-2023), we are delighted to share a previously unpublished article titled “Grace in Abhinaya” from 2019. This piece encapsulates insightful discussions (between Lakshmi Viswanathan and Jeetendra Hirschfeld) about Abhinaya, focusing on her distinctive style. In early 2019, Lakshmi conducted informal online classes, generously sharing her approach to Abhinaya. The article concludes with a VIDEO featuring Lakshmi elucidating the pallavi of one of her beloved Javalis, “entaTi kulukE” (Kalyani, Dharmapuri Subbarayar).

Link in BIO. Article by Dr. Saskia Kersenboom. “How does one recognise success-in-performance?” As a young student, just arrived in India, Saskia Kersenboom asked hereditary artists Smt. T. Balasaraswati and Smt. P. Ranganayaki. Their answers triggered her probe into ‘Aucitya’.

CHENNAI: Sparsha Arts Foundation (founded by Vidhya Subramanian) invites you to the inaugural festival ‘Reciprocity’ on 13 and 14 January 2024 (Saturday and Sunday mornings) @ the Blackbox, Besant Nagar, Chennai. See the flyers for the performing artistes and speakers.

LINK IN BIO. From the archives of 2009– Essay by Jeetendra Hirschfeld—“Seraglios of the Tanjore Mahārājahs: Sword Wives of the Kalyāṇa Mahāl and Vijayā Maṅgala Vilāsam Mahāl”.

LINK IN BIO. Essay by Dr Saskia Kersenboom “Ananda’s Tandava: “The Dance of Shiva” Reconsidered”