Performances by Neil Nongkynrih and the Shillong Chamber Choir in Sri Lanka to celebrate the 60th Independence Day of India.

Neil Nongkynrih and the Shillong Chamber Choir gave virtuoso performances in Colombo and Kandy in celebration of the 60th Independence Day of India. They first performed at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on 15th August, then at the Anglican Theatre on 16th August, at the University of Visual & Performing Arts on the 17th August, at Trinity College in Kandy on 18th August and at Bishop College Auditorium as part of a special choir show in which other choir groups also participated, on 20th August.

Neil Nongkynrih is an accomplished pianist who has studied at the Guildhall School of Music, London and at Trinity College. He is also a composer of note, whose compositions have been premiered in Vienna as part of the United Nations campaign against drug abuse. The Shillong Chamber Choir group was formed in 2001 with a desire to give local talent in Shillong a platform and exposure to various types of music. This has proven to be a success in that the choir has not only gained popularity in Meghalaya but is continuing to win audiences both in other parts of India and also abroad. Members range from the age of eighteen to thirty and their total number is twenty four. Their repertoire ranges from traditional folk music to western classical, jazz, Hindi and fusion.

In Sri Lanka, the performances of the Choir included western classical pieces, African-American spirituals, hymns and excerpts from European operas and from an opera in Khasi language composed and written by Neil Nongkynrih. The purity, lyricism and grace of the singing was matched only by the restraint and power and artistry of the choir direction by Neil Nongkynrih and his sister Pauline Warjri. A young 13 year old performer Ibarisha Lyngdoh stole the hearts of every listener by the purity and beauty of her soprano singing coupled with and intensity of feeling and expression, particularly when she sang the song Mama, a piece written by Neil Nongkynrih to express the gratitude of every child to his mother. Neil Nongkynrih and the Shillong Chamber Choir appear set to have a long and illustrious career in the world of music.

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"The end is the journey"

"The end is the journey": A lecture and exhibition of paintings by Ms. Nalini Jayasuriya will be hosted at the Indian Cultural Centre on the 26th and 27th of May, 2006. The exhibition was inaugurated by H.E. Smt. Nirupama Rao, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka. Ms. Nalini Jayasuriya is a multi-media artist, music and writer and is creative in painting and sculpture and works with several media like ceramics and glass.

Maitri Sandhya was celebrated at the Indian Cultural Centre on 19th May, 2006 and jointly organized by the Sri Lanka-India Society (SLIS) and the Indian Cultural Centre. Scintillating dances in the traditional Bharat Natyam style of India were displayed by the students of Ms. Vasugy Jegadeeswaran, who is also on the faculty of the ICC. The SLIS presented some unusual and beautiful creative dance pieces using elements from the Kandyan style of Sri Lanka and the Bharat Natyam style of India presented by the students of Ms. Sandhya Bamunuwita. Smt. Nagma Mallick, Director, Indian Cultural Centre, spoke on the occasion, highlighting the diverse cultural ties binding the two nations, tracing the similar cultural influences that have shaped the sensibilities of the two peoples and thanking SLIS for their initiatives.

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SARGAM - A five - part lecture series on understanding and appreciating Hindustani, i.e, North Indian classical music was conducted at Indian Cultural Centre, starting from Thursday 16th March 2006 onwards. The course, designed to initiate persons with no knowledge of classical music, seeks to explain the unique components of Hindustani music, i.e swara, raga & taal. The most popular style of Hindustani music singing khayal gayaki was explained & its difference from the other styles of classical music ie. dhrupad and dhamaar was brought out. All the elements that are explained was demonstrated in the vocal form and on the sitar. The spiritual and religious aspects of the music will also be discussed.

Dr. Dayaratna Ranathunga, eminent vocalist and music therapist conducted the lecture series and will provide the vocal demonstrations along with Prof.Amara Ranathunga. Dr.Ranathunga has studied vocal music at Bhathkande University, India for many years. He has also studied music therapy in the United States of America. Dr. Nirmala Kumari Rodrigo demonstrated the raags on the sitar. There was accompaniment of tabla, tampura and harmonium.

During the course of the different lectures, Dr. Ranathunga demonstrated the lesser known modes of singing, ie, the kajri, thumri, bhajan and ghazal. Different Indian musical instruments were demonstrated by skilled musicians.

The lectures were held at the Indian Cultural Centre on Thursday 16th, Thursday 23rd, Thursday 30th of March and on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th of April, from 6.00 to 7.00 p.m. Further details can be obtained at Indian Cultural Centre, tel: 0112500014.

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Smt. Ranjana Gauhar

Smt. Ranjana Gauhar is a well-known name in the world of Indian classical dance and one of the leading exponents of the 'Odissi' style, Ranjana has been honoured with several awards including the prestigious Padmashree Award on 26 th January, 2003 by the President of the India, Senior Fellowship by the Ministry of Culture, to research in the temple tradition of Odissi dance, the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini and Pali Bani award.

Ranjana has trained and experimented with Chhau, successfully blending it with her inimitable style of Odissi. She has also undergone extensive training in 'Kathak' and 'Manipuri', two of the major dance forms of the north, thus acquiring a holistic perception of classical dance. She has perfected and honed her skills in Odissi to establish her own distinctive style and signature on this dance form.

She has been trained by the legendary Guru Mayadhar Rout and Aloka Paniker. Her commitment to Odissi is a deep devotion and dedication. She sharpened her sensitivity by taking philosophy for her graduation and following it up with literature at the Masters level.

Not surprising, therefore, is the success of her performances. She appeals to the audience at various planes. While confining herself to the dictates of the tradition, she is managing to reach out to the contemporary. Ranjana weaves and imagery, which is both, innovative as well as individualistic. She is widely acclaimed at home and abroad for her performance characterized by gaiety, grace and strength. Enchanted audiences have raved that watching her is an experience in sublime spiritual odyssey.

Ranjana has taken Odissi to various parts of the world and has participated in several prestigious dance festivals including Khajuraho.

Ranjana views life as an extension of her dance. While her other interest include theatre Painting and choreography, she is also actively involved in projects for disabled children, improving their motor abilities and reaching out to them in every possible way. She has produced and directed a number of ballets depicting modern mythological themes.

Ranjana is the moving spirit behind the organization UTSAV of which she is the founder. Every year, more than 50 students are imparted qualitative training and obtaining their professional degree in Odissi dance from the organization. She has also imparted training to foreign students from countries like Germany , UK , Brazil , France , Japan , USA and Australia . Utsav has been inviting senior Odissi gurus and dancers at regular intervals for a better exposure to the students.

She is also an independent film producer, researcher and script writer and has successfully produced many television serials and documentaries. Prominent among them are "Geet Govindam" for DD, "Nectar in Stone" for MEA.

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Odissi

Odissi is one of the classical dance forms of India tracing its origins to the state of Orissa in eastern India . Orissa is often referred to as the state of temples and needless, to add, the temples were the centres of art & culture. Since the 9 th century A.D. there has been a tradition of dancing girls dedicated to the service of the temple. The origin, development & refinement of this dance form is closely linked to this tradition.

Odissi is a very sensuous and graceful dance style, which combined story telling and pure dance in lyrical movements and sculpturesque poses. Many of the beautiful poses of Odissi man be seen in the relief's and the embellishments of the Hindu, Jain and Buddhist Temples , some of which date back to 2 nd century B.C. A performance of Odissi is often a visual poetry, sensuous and lyrical at the surface, a stir of the infinite deep within as if the countless sculptured figures of the temples come to life in the body of a single dancer. Drawing on this ancient tradition Odissi consists of 2 broad divisions; Nritta - which is pure dance without symbolism or story, usually performed to music without words; and Nritya - the expressional dance in which the dancer through symbolic gestures, poses and facial expressions interprets the poem sung. Odissi is characterized by the 'Triple Bend" pose called Tribhangi requiring three bends at the neck, waist and the knee reflecting exquisite charm and grace. Odissi is performed as solo as well as group dance.