SOCIETY OF DANCE RESEARCH SCHOLARS/CONGRESS ON RESEARCH IN DANCE, University of

California, Riverside, CA

“The season lineup features new names in the Music Academy roster……

the imposition of live music will soon have to be re-examined as more

and more dancers are using good recorded music with the sabhas

accepting this transition without any whining about “tradition” and

“preservation.” Speaking of tradition, I must commend Los Angeles

based Ramya Harishankar who surprised me with a wonderful

interpretation of the traditional javali “Yarukkaagilum bhayama?” At

the annual CORD conference in Los Angeles that was titled

DECENTERING DANCE STUDIES, Ramya sang effortlessly as she

negotiated the lyrics, memory of her classes with Kalanidhi Mami and

her guru Rajaratnam Pillai – all the time speaking to herself and

ruminating on the role- playing that the song called for. It was a mature

and bold interpretation, catalyzed by scholar/dramaturg Priya Srinivasan whose new book SWEATING

SARIS is a must read. Dressed in a simple kurta pyjama with short hair framing her pleasant face,

Ramya’s relaxed ease reminded me that most Indian dancers today cannot sing and many don’t

understand music. This AND the global fetish towards physical agility and kinetic excitement has robbed

the dance tradition of its inherent poetics. While Kathak seniors lament that the style has become

reduced to “chakkars” and Bharatanatyam is all about posing and leaping, it will do well for emerging

stars to remember that older generation of artistes could sing, dance, compose, play several instruments

and conduct concerts. This all round ability is what made their art and the transmission of the tradition

so rich and potent.”

Anita Ratnam, Narthaki online

SEVANJALI – a fundraiser for Chinmaya Mission, Los Angeles

The smallest group of dancers belonged to Ramya

Harishankar’s Arpana Dance Company…their coordination

and attention to detail in ‘Nithyakalyani’ was engaging. -

India West

Dancers – Nandini Kannan, Amy Vanmali, Preethi Selvan,

Nikeeta Shah & Yashna Nandan

Arpana Newsletter 2013

DANCE CONVERSATIONS – Theatres in dance - a symposium on Indian Dance Theatre @ University of

California, Irvine

“Resounding kudos to Ramya and Priya on bringing to a very fortunate audience, performances that have the power to resonate with the viewer for years to come. It was hard to not be cognizant of the fact that we were witnessing some of the most cerebralized treatment of the art form offered today- it really was an enlivening experience to be a part of their world -of movement, of poetry, of theatre and of expression. Even if only for one night.” Sravani Jandhyala, an audience member & Board member of Ektaa Center

“Ramya, thank you for a ‘wonderful’ conversation and bringing new audiences to CTSA. Your investment both conceptual and of time are bright lights in S. California.” Joe Lewis, Dean, Claire Trevor School of the Arts, University of California, Irvine Participants - Dominique Delorme (Paris), Hari Krishnan (Toronto), Johanna Devi (Berlin), Janet O’Shea (UCLA), Sheetal Gandhi (Los Angeles), Preeti Vasudevan (New York), Ketu Katrak (UCI), Sandra Chatterjee (Salzburg), Elizabeth Kurien (Los Angeles),Cynthia Lee (UNC, N. Carolina), Shyamala Moorthy (Los Angeles), Daphne Lei (UCI), Maya Krishna Rao (Shiv Nadar U, New Delhi), Anusha Kedhar (Colorado College), Ahalya Satkunaratnam (U of Illinois, Urbana Champaign) & Lucy Burns (UCLA).

Convened by Priya Srinivasan (UC Riverside) & Ramya Harishankar

Abhinaya workshops in KL, Malaysia Ramya conducted a 3 day workshop

in abhinaya at the Indian Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur in August

introducing students of Bharata Natyam to her guru, Kalanidhi

Narayanan’s unique style.

Ganesha Fest LA

“Hello Ramyaji, just want to personally thank you and your students for the wonderful performance. Last night on

our way home my husband and I talked about the earnestness in their eyes. The young girls seemed very dedicated

to you and wanted to please you. There are a lot of teachers out there. Very few get the respect you do”.

Rani Varanasi, Co- organizer Dancers – Bala and Mangala Janahan & Tanmayi Vashist

Summer in Europe

Spendours of World Dance, Kostrena, Croatia

“You should be very proud of your dancers……... The highlight of the show was your dancers. Everyone here continues to speak about how wonderful they were. They were category A” Sonia Velazquez-Miskulin, Executive Director, Academy of International Dance

ADC at the UNESCO Heritage site – Plitvica Lakes, Croatia

Performance in Karlsruhe, Germany

“It was a great program indeed. We and our audience were very impressed with the performance of the whole group, especially choreography, and Ramya's expressions in her solo performance. The program went on in time and as planned. For the first time in Karlsruhe, 10 Bharata Natyam artists performed at a time. A special praise for the costumes and synchronization.” Jyoti Joshi & Mithul Panchal, Deutsch-indische Gesellschaft e.v. Karlsruhe

Dancers – Amy Vanmali, Vivahni Shastry, Sheila Balaji, Nikita Ganesan, Varshini Satish, Alisha Sarakki,

Ananya Sen, Shradha Mididaddi & Yashna Nandan

Residency at Roger Anton Elementary School, San Bernardino, CA For the 3rd time, Ramya was invited

to conduct a 10 week residency using the Bharata Natyam vocabulary to teach curriculum skills. The 5

classes ranged from kindergarten to children with special needs. Teaching children whose first

language was Spanish to those whose attention span was limited and had behavioral issues was a

challenge but fulfilling. Watching them sit still for 5 minutes was itself a major accomplishment!!

margam revisited – a fund raiser for Rotary Club of Irvine featured choreography by renown

dancer/choreographer Smt. Rhadha

“Margam revisited was fantastic!! Thanks for putting it together. Varnam was amazing! It was wonderful and unique opportunity for us to see you perform stage.Truly, a wonderful learning experience/exposure for the kids and parents, alike.” Sailaja Malladi, Arpana parent

Dancers – Nandini Kannan, Amy Vanmali, Garima Singh, Preethi Selvan, Amrita Khoshoo, Shilpa Jagannath, Nikeeta Singh, Tripti Shah, Ranjana Ravikumar, Tara Shankar, Sheila Balaji, Preethi Seshadri, Nikita Ganesan, Varshini Satish, Divya Kameti, Alisha Sarakki, Ananya Sen, Shilpa Rajagopal & Shradha Mididaddi.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Irvine

“How can we thank you for your marvelous presentation on Indian dance?? Perhaps the attendees' feedback forms say it best: Ramya is a jewel! I am so transformed….Brilliant! I have seen Indian classical dance performances but now have a much clearer understanding of the dance form…Enthralling! Totally!....Very generous in all the performing she did for us. And she made it look as if the dances had been designed exactly for this space….Ramya is very engaging and dynamic….She is superb --- bring her back! What more can we say? You exceeded all expectations!! Thank you so much.”

Sue Fromkin