Mumbai, The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Indias premier arts and culture institution, has organised a classical dance workshop for children called Joy of Movement by Amrita Lahiri, a renowned and extremely talented dancer. The workshop is scheduled to start from March 15 to March 20, 2010, at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre building from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Joy of Movement is a fun workshop that introduces kids in the age group of 7 to 14 years to the basics in Indian classical dance particularly Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi followed by an informal Chauraha presentation by all participating children at the Little Theatre on Saturday, March 20 at 6.30 pm.
Amrita Lahiri, in her unique style, will encourage kids to participate and dance. Each session will include watching and learning a short dance that will be performed in the final session and will also highlight a different aspect of classical Indian dance - mudras, rhythm and music, abhinaya as well as aspects of costume. The workshop will be interactive, so as to kindle a deeper interest for the classical dances of India in the minds and hearts of these kids.
Staying true to its promise of preserving and nurturing traditional Indian art and culture, NCPA aims to bring the young generation closer to their roots and make art more accessible to them. Elaborating further on this unique initiative started by the NCPA, Arundhathi Subramaniam, Programming Head - Indian Dance, NCPA, says, These workshops will help the kids to understand the fundamentals of Indian classical dance forms. The sessions are particularly designed keeping in mind the age and the exposure of the children who have enrolled, so that they are not intimidated but enjoy and have fun, freely expressing themselves and their bodies to the dances.
Reiterating the fact that cultural education should be a part of regular school curriculum, Mr. Khushroo Suntook, Chairman, NCPA, says, It is important for parents to understand the significance of exposing their children to various classical art forms - be it dance, music or singing. Such workshops & training sessions allow children to come closer to their roots while helping them in their overall development.
Amrita Lahiri began dancing in Washington DC with Anuradha Nehra. She later learnt Bharat Natyam from Leela Samson in New Delhi, and then continued her training in Kuchipudi under Swapnasundari. Since 2004, she has regularly performed with Spanda, a group started by Leela Samson, presenting contemporary Bharata Natyam work. Her art reflects the influences of all of these outstanding gurus and the experience of several performances as a soloist. She holds a Masters in sociology from JNU, New Delhi, and has worked in arts management in Kalakshetra, the Kennedy Centre, the American Festival in Durham and Museum Rietberg in Zurich.
Workshop Details:
- Conducted by: Ms. Amrita Lahiri
- Age Group: 7 to 14 years
- Registration Fees: Rs. 1000/- per participant
- For Registration please contact: Ms. Binaifar Bhesania
- Contact No: 022 - 622 3822 OR 098691 12010
Notes to Editor
About the NCPA:
Inaugurated in 1969, the National Centre for the Perfor - g Arts, Mumbai, exists to provide leadership on a national level as Indias premier performing arts, research and training centre through the presentation of Indian and international art forms, the promotion of excellence and the preservation of Indian & International cultural heritage.
