Bharatanatyam (Advanced)

IPAC is delighted to bring to Australia three extraordinary international experts in Bharatanatyam. Rama Vaidyanathan is a leading exponent of Bharatanatyam. She is undoubtedly one of the most sought after artists of her generation having carved a name for herself in the Bharatanatyam world. She has trained intensively under the legendary dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy and the renowned Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan. Bragha Bessell studied Bharatanatyam in Chennai with the eminent guru Sri. P. S. Kunchithapadam Pillai before becoming a disciple of Adyar Sri. K. Lakshman and Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan. Her dance performances have received international acclaim. She has been invited by the eminent Kalakshetra Foundation to teach abhinaya classes for advanced students. Mohanapriyan Thavarajah is an emerging star of a new generation of Bharatanatyam artistes. His innovative work as dancer, choreographer and teacher has attracted admiration around the world.

Across a full week of intensive training, participants will experience the following three courses.

A. Bharatanatyam Repertoire: Participants will learn a complex repertoire number (Nriita) and will be coached on skills required to perform as professional soloists.
Faculty: Rama Vaidyanathan
Duration: 12 hours

B. Bharatanatyam Abhinaya: Participants will be trained on understanding and executing the finer nuances of Abhinaya and will be taught a significant abhinaya repertoire number.
Faculty: Bragha Bessell
Duration: 12 hours

C. Talam and Rhythm: This session is designed for dancers to understand the complexity of rhythmic structures and to respond to them using movement vocabulary. The sessions will be conducted with live Mridangam accompaniment in order for the participants to appreciate the rhythmic syllables and structures interpreted through the Mridangam in a concert setting.
Faculty: Mohanapriyan Thvarajah
Duration: 4.5 hours

Participants will be provided with professional studio quality recording of the Repertoire and Abhinaya numbers and given the opportunity to perform both of the numbers at the IPAC Showcase Concert at the end of the learning program.

Venue: David Li Sound Gallery at The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts

Total duration: 28.5 hours
Masterclass sessions: 10:00am – 5:00pm daily, Monday to Friday, 20th – 24th May, 2024 Performance: 3:00pm, Sunday 26th May, 2024 (rehearsal times TBC)

Prerequisite: A minimum of 8-10 years of formal training in Bharatanatyam and must be in practice.

Places are strictly limited so please book early.