BHAVAN 50

Celebrating 50 grand years of The Bhavan in London

The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan London is a dynamic cultural centre and has been at the forefront of Indian arts education in the UK since its establishment 1972 as a flagship Centre outside India. For the last 50 years, we at The Bhavan London have been delivering classical training in Indian dance, music, art history, yoga, and languages for students both young and old, Indian and non-Indian.
The Bhavan will be commemorating this special Golden Jubilee year from May 2022 until May 2023 with a year-long celebration of exciting programmes of music, dance, workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and Yoga activities.
PERFORMANCES
COLLABORATIONS
FESTIVALS

For everyone that loves Indian Classical Arts

A MELANGE OF DANCE, MUSIC, AND ART

ARTISTS

Immerse in plethora of art showcasing the bets of artists across Indian classical Arts

STUDENTS

Learn from some of the senior most Gurus.

YOUTH

Indulge your creativity with workshops and events

AUDIENCE

Celebrate with us with performances, art exhibitions, and workshops tailored to suit various tastes.

BHAVAN 50 EVENTS
BOOKINGS OPEN FOR 2023 EVENTS

MARCH 2023

SANGEET UTSAV - THE BHAVAN'S INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 

Featuring vocalists and instrumentalists of South Indian Classical and North Indian Classical traditions over two weekends.
Sat 18 and Sun 19 March, Sat 25 & Sun 26 March 
6 pm | £27, £22, £17 (£25, £20, £15 if booked online. Use discount code BHAVAN50)
The Bhavan is proud to present a two-weekend Classical Music festival. This year, we bring you the best of both South Indian and North Indian Music traditions.
The line -up includes:

Sat 18 March - Sitar by Kushal Das  (Event sponsored by Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust).
Tabla - Pt. Rajkumar Misra

Sun 19 March - Violin duet by The Mysore Brothers
Accompanied by double Mridangam - 
 Sri M Balachandar & Bangalore Prakash

Sat 25 March - Hindustani Vocal by Sanjeev Abhyankar  (Event sponsored by Dr. Radha Bhat).
Tabla - Pt. Rajkumar Misra
Harmonium - Abhishek G Shinkar

Sun 26 March - Karnatic Vocal by P Unnikrishnan
Violin - Sri Balu Raguraman
Mridangam - Sri M Balachandar
Morsing - K Sithambaranathan

                       DAY 1 - Pt. Kushal Das
                  DAY 3 - Pt.Sanjeev Abhyankar
                  DAY 2 - The Mysore Brothers
                       DAY 4 - Sri Unnikrishnan

VIDYAAMAGNA -
Movement workshops for practitioners with
MARCELLA CAPPELLETTI & ARCHANA BALLAL

Fri 31 March | 6pm - 8.30 pm | £30
SESSION I
Elemental Inquiries - Practices for theatre, dance, and music artists.
Lead by - Marcella Cappelletti
Each human being can be seen as one of the many Creative
manifestations of life in this Universe. Through Creativity in
general, and specially through the Performing Arts, one can perceive
precious glimpses of the raw, elemental, and common Nature of Life. The actual and imagined experience of the qualities of this Nature is the red thread that connects many dance traditions, and is beautifully manifest in BharataNatyam.
This session seeks to explore the possibilities of recognising and expressing these Elemental qualities through the medium of Movement. Through simple guided tasks participants will be
led to explore with their own movement and voice, the 5 Basic Elements
that are common in all beings: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind, and Aether.
Different definitions of these Elements based on different traditions
(Ancient Greek, Vedic, and Taoist) will be explored.
Through a playful inquiry, participants will be provided with the
opportunity to find internal connections with the external world, as
well as external connections to their internal world.
 OPEN TO ALL EXPERIENCES AND ABILITIES.

SESSION II
A MOVEMENT THERAPY FOR DANCE ARTISTS
Lead by Archana Ballal
How we inhabit our bodies, - our everyday movements, gestures, facial
expressions, - is unique to each of us and is an expression of who we
are, our lived experience, our life history, and our internal
dialogues. Dance artists are able to experience a deeper sense of
self-awareness, and realisation of one's body and artistic practice
by exploring their own unique movement profile.
This introductory workshop will help participants to inquire into their individual movement through the lens of Laban and Bartenieff’s themes of 'Effort Factors': Weight, Space, Time, and Flow.
It will provide an opportunity to discover what each unique body holds and what this moving body brings to their existing artistic practice, enhancing this, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of how one moves through life.

APRIL 2023

SA DHA ARTS PRESENTS – AN EVENING OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC AND DANCE 

Sun 23 April, 6 pm | £22 (£20 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN50 to book)
Sa Dha Arts presents an evening of Indian Classical Dance and Music. Featuring a Sitar recital by Jasdeep Singh Degun, accompanied on the Tabla by Pt. Rajkumar Misra.

The musical part of the evening will be followed by a Kathak recital by Saberi Misra. She will be reciting bol padanth as well as singing whilst dancing, being accompanied by Pt. Rajkumar Misra on Tabla and Debipriya Sircar on Sitar

PICTURED RIGHT - Jasdeen Singh Degun, Saberi Misra
BELOW - Pt. Rajkumar Misra, Debipriya Sircar

The Art of Making

The skill you need to become a real professional.

'SAMKHYA' - SOLO THEMATIC  BHARATANATYAM
by
SRINIDHI RAGHAVAN

Sun 7 May, 6 pm | £17/£12 (£15/£10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN50 to book)
Samkhya is a thematic Bharatanatyam performance conceptualised by Srinidhi Raghavan. It describes various stories of that which is perceived as male vs. that which is considered female. By retelling stories of unions between the two, and by describing how the female and male could meld into one being, Samkhya describes the divinity and beauty that is born from the blend of both.
ACCOMPANIED BY LIVE ORCHESTRA


ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Srinidhi Raghavan (www.srinidhiraghavan.com) started learning Bharatanatyam nearly thirty years ago and has performed globally over the decades. Born into a family of dancers, she was exposed to Bharatanatyam early on and formally started learning the art from her mother and guru, Usha Raghavan, and from guru, Malathy Thothadri at the tender age of four. She had her arangetram in Chennai in 1998 and her experiences with dance have spanned several cultures and countries, including those of the UK, Switzerland, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Barbados, Canada, the US and of course India, during the prestigious December festivals in Chennai. Known for her "precise nritta and apt abhinaya" (The Hindu) she is also recognized for her innovative choreographies and original works, which often explore contemporary themes via traditional Bharatanatyam pieces. Srinidhi's wide and extended exposure has added an eclectic element to her delivery which, when combined with her traditional style, results in a unique reflection of elegance and experience. Critics have described Srinidhi as "a strong woman, so relaxed and confident that performing her intricate dance is a breeze, as easy to sing as a lullaby..."

MUSIC ENSEMBLE :
Vamshikrishna Vishnudas – Vocals
Rohitha Kaimal – Nattuvangam
M. Balachandar – Mridangam
Balu Raguraman – Violin
Subathra Raguraman - Veena

COLOURS OF THUMRI -
Lecture - Demonstration and Workshop

LECTURE DEMONSTRATION
Fri 5 May | 5.30 pm | £5

WORKSHOPS
Fri 12 May - Fri 16 June, every Friday 
6.30 pm - 8 pm | £100
The Bhavan and Kalakar Arts UK presents 'Colours of Thumri', a lecture demonstration followed by six week in depth workshops taught by Smt. Chandra Chakraborty on Thumri, Dadra and other most popular Semi Classical Music followed by a concert by the participants. All students of Vocal, Instruments and Dance are welcome to join and learn the performing style and techniques along with traditional "Bhao" (a dance style to portray the emotions of Thumri and Dadra.
(Complete course breakdown in the booking link)

ABOUT THUMRI  - 
Thumri is North India's most popular light-classical song form, developed during the 19th century at the court of Lucknow's ruler Wajid Ali Shah. It has very strong associations with Kathak, North India's main classical dance style, of which the Shah was also a leading exponent. Thumri singers pay considerable attention to the lyrics. 
Thumri is usually sung in slow tempo and Dadra is faster. Thumri has a more elaborate, lengthy structure of improvisation than crisp, compact Dadra. The lyric of Thumari generally possesses only two parts - Sthayi and Antara. On the contrary, Dadra is decorated by and large with more than one Ataras. Dadra is lighter than Thumri as far as the performing style is concerned.

ABOUT CHANDRA CHAKRABORTY
Chandra Chakraborty is a Gold Medalist and National Scholar in Thumri and Dadra. She is also a trained Kathak dancer (Sangeet Visharad in Kathak with distinction in Theory and Practical).
Having trained in two types of Thumris - Banaras Gharana Bol Banao Thumri, and Classical Thumri, she has been performing this special genre for the last 28 years. She has also conducted extensive research on Thumri and Dadra as part of her project "Tale of Tawaifs".
She is also currently authoring a book on Tawaifs, their lives and music, and will be recording 40 unheard Thumris and Dadras from original records from 1902.
Chandra has learnt Banaras Gharana Thumri, Dadra and other semi classical music from Padma Vibhushan Smt Girija Devi, and other Thumri styles from Gurus Pt. A Kanan and Smt. Malabika Kanan.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS



GLIMPSE INTO OUR UPCOMING GALLERY EVENTS

PAST GOLDEN JUBILEE EVENTS

THE BHAVAN CONVERSATIONS - A DIALOGUE BETWEEN
HINDUSTANI AND KARNATIC STRING INSTRUMENTS 

Sun 19 March | 11 am | £5
Join us for a BHAVAN CONVERSATION SERIES - Live!
As part of our music festival this year, we are proud to have Pt. Kushal Das and The Mysore brothers in an interactive dialogue between the North and South Indian String instruments. 

The session will showcase the nuances and differences between the two instruments, and how ragas sound in the two instruments, and the possibilities of collaboration between the two.
Part talk/part lec-dem, this series is an opportunity for the audience and listeners to understand the instruments and the artists with a deeper insight.
There will be a chance for the audience to ask their questions at the end of the session.
Refreshments provided as part of your booking.


INTRODUCTION TO INDIAN CLASSICAL ARTS - A SERIES OF 4 ONLINE LECTURES

Feb 16, 23 & March 2 and 9
7 pm - 8.30 PM (BST) | £10 per session/£30 if booked for all sessions 
SESSION 1 | IMPACT OF SANSKRIT WITHIN THE INDIAN ARTS AND THE ESSENCE OF THE EPIC
Feb 16th, 7 - 8.30 pm (including q&a)
The first session will explore the impact of Sanskrit as a language within the Indian arts and the essence of the epic. Hinduism bases itself on the scriptures called Vedas, which are the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda, and the Atharva Veda and these are regarded as the source of knowledge harmony, and natural universal order acting as an integrating factor with its ritual norms and Sanskrit language. 
Dr. Nandakumara in conversation with Candida Connolly 
SESSION 2 | KARNATIC MUSIC - RHYTHM AND MELODY
Feb 23, 7 - 8.30 pm (including q&a)
This session will explore how melody unfolds and what patterns rhythm can create. It seeks to understand how Carnatic violin uses them in compositions and
improvisation structures, how the  violin relates to the Indian drum (Mridangam) and to spoken rhythm and how it compares with Western Classical music.
Stella Subbiah and Candida Connolly in Conversation with Balu Raguraman and M Balachandar
SESSION 3 | BACK TO DANCE
March 2, 7 - 8.30 pm (including q&a)
Dance can be conceived as fundamentally about making connections with self and others
through Rhythmical movements and expressions. Dance scholars and practitioners have applied many methods to explain various aspects of dance. This ongoing investigation has added many layers to our understanding of movement practices of the body, the politics of culture reception, and spectatorship. The session will look at the organised movements in the classical art forms of Kathak, Kathakali, and Bharatnatyam and bringing to attention the interdisciplinary human knowledge and experience.
Stella Subbiah and Candida Connolly  in conversation with Dipanjali Bedi, Girija Menon, and Justin Mc Carthy
SESSION 4 | ANCIENT TEACHINGS FOR MODERN TIMES
March 9, 7 - 8.30 pm (including q&a)
This session will look at Classical Indian Philosophy as a path to physical well-being.
Delivered by Subhanu Saxena

'THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO VISA AND TRAVEL COMPLICATIONS OF THE ARTISTS. ALL TICKET BUYERS WILL BE CONTACTED WITH THE REFUNDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING' 

YAKSHAGANA PERFORMANCE BY SRI IDAGUNJI MELA, KEREMANE
'Panchavati from Ramayana'

Sat 4 March | 5 pm |£22/£17/£12
(£20/£15/£10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN50 to get your discount)
Watch a stunning display of Yakshagana by a fourth generation Yakshagana artist and his team. Yakshagana is a traditional dance theatre form from South Karnataka which features elaborate costumes, makeup and masks to depict Indian mythological stories.

SYNOPSIS OF THE PERFORMANCEThe performance starts with the traditional invocation to lord Ganesha with dance and music.
Background
Sri Rama moves to forest, along with wife Seeta and brother Lakshmana, to fulfil his father Dasharatha’s promise to one of his wives, Kaikeyi. As per the condition he has to spend 14 years in forest. He reaches the deep woods of Panchavati and leads a humble life there, in a hut.
Through the six scenes of the performance, we see the story of their encounter with the demoness Shoorpanakha unfold.
Choreography & Direction: Keremane Shivananda Hegde

'THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO VISA AND TRAVEL COMPLICATIONS OF THE ARTISTS. ALL TICKET BUYERS WILL BE CONTACTED WITH THE REFUNDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING'

THE CARNATIC COMFORT ZONE: Music Concert

Sun, Feb 26, 2023
6 pm | £17/£12 (£15/£10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN50 to get your discount)
The Berlin based German-Sri Lankan group, Carnatic Comfort Zone is led by the charismatic Sri Lankan singer and composer Manickam Yogeswaran. The Comfort Zone explores South Asian music traditions through Yogeswaran’s music, which combines poetry of Rabindranath Tagore and compositions based on the ancient Thirrukural, Thiruppugal and his own texts using some of the more unusual modes of the Melakartha Ragas with modal harmony, improvisation and funky bass lines. The Carnatic Comfort Zone explores the fault lines between ancient and modern traditions playing haunting arrangements in a kaleidoscope, which reflects the diverse backgrounds of the musicians in the band. The line-up includes Manickam Yogeswaran on Voice, Kanjira, Will Ramsay on saxophone, Martin Lillich on bass, Alexey Wagner on Guitar and Dietrich Woehrlin on drums. 
Comfort Zone is delighted that Bhavan's residence teachers, Sri M Balachandar on mridangam and and Sri Balu Raghuraman on violin will perform together with the band. Yogeswaran is also joined by a long time collaborator in London including a concert at the South Bank, Lawrence Ball. The duo will present a piece of improvisational music (piano/voice). To add to the colours, Michael Tusch an exceptional lighting designer from the UK will synchronise music and lighting on this special day of Bhavan's jubilee celebrations.

ARTISTS

Manickam Yogeswaran - Voice Kanchira
William Ramsay - Saxophone
Alexey Wagner - Guitar
Dietrich Wöhrlin - Drums
Martin Lillich - Bass
Balu Raguraman - Violin
M Balachandar - Mridangam
Lawrence Ball - Piano
Michael Tusch - Light design

Image credit - Peter Engelke

SITAR CONCERT BY
SMT. PUNITA GUPTA AND STUDENTS

Sat, Feb 25, 2023 | 6.00 pm | (Refreshments - 5 pm)
£22/£17/£12 (£20/£15/£10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN 50 to book with the discount)
Smt. Punita Gupta and her students present a special Sitar concert celebrating 50 years of her career as a Sitar player.
A senior disciple of Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar, Smt. Punita Gupta is a renowned name in the field of Sitar.

Tabla accompaniment : Udit Pankhania and Hevylen Seenan
 Mridangam : M Balachandar 

WORKSHOP IN GLOBAL MUSIC : TOOLS FOR EDUCATION - Rhythmic Independence with Professor Dietrich Woehrlin

Sat, Feb 25, 2023
12.30 - 1.30 PM | £15
Rhythm can easily be experienced, internalised and re-created using the body. Body percussion is a practical way to learn and maintain rhythmic security. It allows the exploration of different rhythms without the need for instruments or written music.
The body is the instrument. In body percussion we stamp with our feet, drum on the body, recite rhythmic (Sol-kattu) syllables, snap our fingers and sing. Body Percussion can be used for basic and advanced rhythmic training but it also helps you to experience and understand polyrhythms. It is fun to do in a group but you can also practice alone.

image credit - Max Hartung

WORKSHOP IN GLOBAL MUSIC : TOOLS FOR EDUCATION - Voice, Body Percussion, Saxophone, Bass, Guitar, Drums

Sat, Feb 25, 2023
GLOBAL MUSIC - 10.30 - 11.30 AM | £15
(Both workshops - £25)
The featured artists have been at the forefront of innovative new curricula for western and non-western
music forms.
Participatory workshops create an opportunity for students to learn this looks at different musical styles and genres which are normally specific to a particular country or region, and create an interactive and flexible learning environment which will be suitable for students of all genres to improve their niche.

GLOBAL MUSIC 
Modal String Techniques with Martin Lillich – Bass and Alexey Wagner - Guitar
This workshop will look at finger technique and hand positions based on dividing the modes into their constituent tetrachords. It will also contain exercises to develop control, fluency and flexibility when playing in a specific mode. There will also be exercises to develop control, fluency and flexibility in the pluck hand. Open to all string players.
Applying Modal Harmony to Carnatic Modes – In this interactive workshop members of the band will demonstrate how they approached the different modes used in the Carnatic Comfort Zone repertoire and what solutions they found to develop the compositions using both modal and functional harmony. Participants will also be able to experiment themselves, - Both singers and Instrumentalists are welcome. A workshop suitable for all ages who are interested and curious about learning. 

ARTISTS:
Manickam Yogeswaran - Voice
Professor Dietrich Wöhrlin - Drums, body percussion
William Ramsay - Saxophone
Alexey Wagner - Guitar
Martin Lillich - Bass

(Scroll down for the second workshop details)

image credit - Max Hartung

TABLA
Short course

Mon 20 Feb - Wed 1 March 2023
(All days excluding Sat and Sun)
6 pm -- 7.30 pm | £100
**In person and online option available**
This course will be a comprehensive taster into the nuances of Tabla, the north Indian percussion instrument. Students will get an insight into the basics of Tabla, rhythm, pace and clarity.
Open to all levels including beginners, the lessons will be modified to suit every student no matter their stage of learning.
The course will be taught by Bhavan resident teacher Pt. Rajkumar Misra

THE BHAVAN CELEBRATES SHIVARATRI

Sat 18 Feb | 5.30 pm | Entry free, booking required
The Bhavan welcomes you to our annual Shivaratri puja celebrations. Join us for Vedic Puja, chanting, and music and dance performances by the Bhavan students. Prasad will be served in the form of dinner.
Event sponsored by Smt. Pratibha Sharma and family.

THE BHAVAN PRESENTS - TRIVENI – 3 DAYS OF TRIPLE BILLS | DAY 3
The Bhavan Youth Festival of Indian Classical Dance and Music

Sat 11 and Sun 12 Feb, Sun 19 Feb
4.30 pm | £10 per day, £25 for all three days
 (young person’s discount – £7. All three days at £16)
The Bhavan announces the first edition of a spectacular festival celebrating young talents nurturing their art forms at The Bhavan. Join us to watch the future torch bearers of Indian Classical Arts in the UK

DAY 3 | Feb 19 – Featuring senior disciples of Odissi, Kathak, Bharatanatyam

ODISSI – Richi Mohanty, Ashvini Ojha (Keshavan), Katrina Rute. Trained by resident Guru Katrina Rute.

KATHAK – Kiran Krishna, Anagha Mainkair, Sobella, Emma, Prerona, Ananya, Neha, Shivali. Trained by resident teachers Abhinav Mishra and Amun Bhachu

BHARATANATYAM –  Lakshaajeni Thevapalan, Thivahene Thevapalan, Roshani Kulendran. Trained by resident Guru Sri Prakash Yadagudde

KARNATIC VIOLIN - Music Appreciation and and introduction to Karnatic Violin
Short course

Mon 13 Feb - Fri 17 Feb 2023 (5 days)
5 pm - 6 pm | £75
*Online only
This short course introduces the art of Karnatic violin.
Students will learn basic ragas, playing techniques and an insight into music appreciation.
Taught by resident Guru Balu Raguraman.

SPOKEN HINDI |
Short course

Tues 7 Feb - Sun 19 Feb 2023
(5 days a week for two weeks - Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat, and Sun) | Timetable below | £100 |
*Online only
A short course on everyday spoken Hindi for beginners. You will learn the basics of the language and get a strong foundation on conversational Hindi for easy everyday use. In this course you will learn basic Hindi words, names of fruits, vegetables, animals, birds, and insects. You will learn names of daily routine things and short simple sentences, as well as short stories and poems.
The course is taught by Bhavan’s Hindi tutor Smt. Indu Barot.

Timetable:
Tues: 17:00 - 18:00 
Thurs: 17:00 - 18:00 
Fri: 17:00 - 18:00 
Sat: 11:00 – 12:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 – 12:00 pm
* Suitable for beginners

THE BHAVAN PRESENTS - TRIVENI – 3 DAYS OF TRIPLE BILLS | DAY 2
The Bhavan Youth Festival of Indian Classical Dance and Music

Sat 11 and Sun 12 Feb, Sun 19 Feb
4.30 pm | £10 per day, £25 for all three days 
(young person’s discount – £7. All three days at £16)
The Bhavan announces the first edition of a spectacular festival celebrating young talents nurturing their art forms at The Bhavan. Join us to watch the future torch bearers of Indian Classical Arts in the UK

DAY 2 | Feb 12 – Featuring senior disciples of Karnatic vocal, Veena, Karnatic violin
KARNATIC VOCAL – Srividhya Srinivasan, Balahari Balatkumar, Malathi Anton, Niharika Dasaka, Lakshmi Nair, and Sreeya Daruri
Trained by resident Guru Sri Sampath Kumarachary Daruri
Mridangam - Aniyanth Kannan

VEENA – Shangary Rajendran, Pairaviy Rajendran, Shaaruka Vasudevan, Roshani Kulendran. Trained by resident Veena Teacher Shangary Rajendran
Mridangam - Thayaparan Thanapalan

KARNATIC VIOLIN -  Rachanna Chittari, Rohit Bharadwaj Chivukula, Sharanya Ghanti, Aditi Shri Prabhu , Rohith Vikram Prabhu, Agastya Iyer.
Trained by resident Guru Sri Balu Raguraman
Mridangam - Ramanath Iyer Vaidyanathan

THE BHAVAN PRESENTS - TRIVENI – 3 DAYS OF TRIPLE BILLS | DAY 1
The Bhavan Youth Festival of Indian Classical Dance and Music

Sat 11 and Sun 12 Feb, Sun 19 Feb
4.30 pm | £10 per day, £25 for all three days
(young person’s discount – £7. All three days at £16)

The Bhavan announces the first edition of a spectacular festival celebrating young talents nurturing their art forms at The Bhavan. Join us to watch the future torch bearers of Indian Classical Arts in the UK

DAY 1 |  Feb11 – Featuring senior disciples of Hindustani vocal, Sitar, and Tabla

HINDUSTANI VOCAL - Chiraag Agarwal, Gaurav Uniyal, Shayonima Ghosh, Pramodini V Nayak. Trained by resident Guru Smt. Chandrima Misra

SITAR – Sujaya Matthews, Sani Chawla, Naveen Kaiser, Caroline Macedo Guandalin. Trained by resident Guru Sri Sanjay Guha

TABLA –  Soumyaraj, Gobind, Akshay, Siddhant, Aadit, Amey . Trained by resident Guru Pt. Rajkumar Misra

CELEBRATION OF THE REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA

Thur 9 Feb | 6.30 pm for 7 pm  
Entry free, registration required | ALL ARE WELCOME
The Chairman and Executive Committe of The Bhavan UK request the pleasure of your company at this year’s CELEBRATION OF THE REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA.
We are delighted to have the gracious presence of
HIS EXCELLENCY MR VIKRAM DORAISWAMI, High Commissioner of India as our Chief Guest of Honour for the event.

6.30 pm - 7 pm: Snacks
7.00 pm: Speeches followed by a short cultural programme of patriotic songs and dances.

TRIBUTE TO LATA MANGESHKAR BY POOJA ANGRA AND KARAN RANA

Sat 4 Feb | 6 pm | £22/£17/£14
(£20/£15/£12 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN50 to book).
Brother Sister duo Pooja and Karan return to the Bhavan to pay tribute to the Nightingale of India - Swar Kokila Lata Mangeshkar. They will be performing timeless melodies spanning various genres from Lata Mangeshkar's repertoire. 

DOUBLE BILL: LECTURE AND DANCE PERFORMANCE
DIVYA KASTURI PRESENTS ‘VARNAM’ - THE MYRIAD SHADES
A classical Bharatanatyam dance concert with live musicians.

Fri 3 Feb | 7 pm | £22/£17/£12 (£20/£15/£10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN50) 
(Tickets need to be booked separately for the lecture and the performance)
Fresh from her critically acclaimed work
“To Varnam…with love” - that has toured nationally in the UK recently, Divya brings a classical version to the Bhavan stage that she will ascend after more than a decade.
A means to invoke and cherish the generosity of her esteemed Gurus, Divya presents this special Dance Offering as an ode to Tradition, Lineage, Ancestry and Guru-Parampara.
Divya is being supported by a team of ace-musicians consisting of Sri Mavin Khoo (Nattuvangam) Sri Vamshikrishna Vishnudas (Vocal), Sri M. Balachander (Mridangam) and Sri Vijay Venkat (Flute).

DOUBLE BILL: LECTURE AND DANCE PERFORMANCE SPECIAL LECTURE OF DANCE SCULPTURES AND TEMPLES OF INDIA 

Fri 3 Feb | 6 pm | £5 for lecture only | Hathi Hall
Lecture – 6 pm. Dance performance – 7 pm
(Tickets need to be booked separately for the lecture and the performance)
Dr. K Sivakumar presents a special lecture on the temples of India which are known for their sculptures of dance including Brihadeeshwara temple and the famous Chidambaram.
The art of Bharatanatyam began in the temples and continued in the kingly courts before finally moving to the present-day auditoriums we see.
This lecture is designed to echo the dance performance following.
It will throw light on the history of the sculptures, the movement/poses depicted in them, and the sculptures of music and instruments, concluding with a brief insight into the Natyashastra.

THE BHAVAN'S FOUNDERS DAY 2023

Sat 28 and Sun 29 Jan 2023 | 3 pm | £12
(£10 if booked online. Use discount code BHAVAN50)
The Bhavan is proud to host its annual celebration of students’ talents in a weekend extravaganza of performances. All the dance, music and language departments will showcase their art. Join us in this visual and artistic treat as we applaud, appreciate and encourage our students and teachers for their dedication towards their art.

Theatre/Acting Intensive Series - THE ART OF EXPRESSION |
Short course

Sat 21 and Sun 22 Jan 2023 | 
11 am - 1 pm | 2 pm - 4 pm pm (both days) 
£15 per day / £25 for both days
Join this two-day theatre intensive which focuses on emoting through the body, face, and text in theatre through individual and group exercises; with a specific focus on the methodologies detailed in the Indian dramatic text of Natyashastra.
Both the days will culminate with a short monologue performed by all participants.

Open to all over 18 years with an interest in theatre.
Suitable for beginners and advanced students. 
Workshop led by Anvi Prabhu.
The workshop will be facilitated in English

This is the first in a series of theatre workshops planned for the coming months. These intensives will delve more deeply into aspects of theatre, including Indian aesthetics and western methodologies. Please follow our website for further announcements.

BHAVAN'S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AND TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN MARR &
MRS. WENDY MARR

Sun, Dec 18 | 1.00 pm | Entry free, registration required
Join us for our annual Christmas celebrations at The Bhavan. 

Along with the Christmas celebrations, we will be paying tributes to one of the most respected couple -  Dr. John Marr and Mrs. Wendy Marr.
Dr John Marr was associated with the Bhavan for over 40 years, and served as the Bhavan's former vice chair.

Bhavan students will present carols, trained under James Marr. This will be followed by short dance performances.

The event will be followed by snacks.

KALAIMAMANI BALA DEVI CHANDRASHEKAR PRESENTS -
'PADMAVATI - AN AVATAR'

Sat, Dec 10 | 6.00 pm | £17/£12 (£15/£10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN 50 to book)
Renowned artist Bala Devi Chandrashekar presents a stunning dance drama; an immortal classic from Gita Govindam by poet Jayadeva. This production gives us a glimpse into the character of Padmavati, the divine consort of Lord Venkateshwara.

"Where Dance meets poetry, this production is a beautiful lyrical dance-drama laced with romance"
- Indian Express

Dr. Sastry Memorial Lecture Series - 'The beauty of Sanskrit' by Diwakar Acharya

Sat Dec 10 | 11 am | Entry free, registration
Join us for our annual Dr. Sastry Memorial Lecture Series. This year, we are delighted to present a lecture on 'The Beauty of Sanskrit' by Diwakar Acharya.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER - Diwakar Acharya, a fellow of All Souls College, is the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at University of Oxford. He is also the chief editor of Journal of Indian Philosophy. He is an expert on Indian religions and philosophies, and Sanskrit literature. He has discovered rare Sanskrit and Prakrit texts from Nepalese manuscript archives, and published widely on topics which extend from the early Upaniṣads to philosophical systems, from early inscriptions to pre-modern documents, and from poetry to ritual manuals.
THE BEAUTY OF SANSKRIT
Sanskrit is important for the understanding of India and Indians and their relations with other civilisations in Asia and beyond. It is beautiful in multiple ways. It allows artistic compositions with layers of meanings. It is a metalanguage, a language of languages, that is used for the analysis of Indic languages including Pali, Prakrit, Marathi and Dravidian languages and also of Classical European languages.
However, Sanskrit is not just a language; it stands for a corpus of all kinds of texts of various knowledge systems. Sanskrit beautifully bridges not only North and South India but also Indian and Chinese cultures and unites people across the Himalayas and across the oceans. 
Therefore, to understand ourselves, our cultural selves, our minds and hearts, and the grounds of ethical judgement, we should heed to Sanskrit texts.
This talk will reflect on these and other aspects of the beauty and purpose of Sanskrit language and literature, and the culture it conveys.

PRAKASH YADAGUDDE PRESENTS 'NRITHYARCHANA' 2022 

Sun, Dec 4 | 6pm | £17 (£15 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN 50 to book)
The Bhavan is proud to present an evening of Bharatanatyam by the emerging talents of our students, training under Guru Prakash Yadagudde.

A melange of traditional pieces as well as new, thematic choreographies, the evening will showcase all the multifaceted aspects of Bharatanatyam.

KALAKAR ARTS UK PRESENTS
‘JALSA' – A LIVE MUSICAL 
Celebrating the life and music of Gauhar Jaan and Indubala

Sat, Dec 3 | 6.30 pm | £22/£17/£12 ( £20/£15/£10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN 50 to book)
Jalsa - a fresh new take on Indian classical music for the music-lovers of the globe- is bringing the mystery and magic of the untold and unheard stories of the forgotten courtesans and queens of Thumri and other breathtaking genres of Indian semi-classical music in the early twentieth century.  
Researched extensively, scripted and directed by one of the finest Indian classical vocalists Chandra Chakraborty, the production portrays the story of tireless struggle against patriarchy, revival of dying but powerful styles of some immortal music through impeccable presentation of acting, dancing and hypnotic singing.  
Kalakar Arts UK will be launching a series of musicals, ‘Tale of Tawaifs’. 
The series will see 4 stunning musicals premiered in the UK based on the life and music of eight famous Tawaifs (courtesans). 
Jalsa will be the very first, and the launch of the series.
Artists: Vidushi Chandra Chakraborty, Amy Freston, Pandit Chiranjeeb Chakraborty, Dr Vijay Rajput, John Erik Schelander, Satarupa Ghosh, Sangeeta Lahiri Srivastav, Shree Ganguly, Indrani Datta, Gairika Mathur, Maher Ahmed, Shantanu Goswami, Manash Chowdhury, Amith Dey, Aniruddha Mukherjee.

HINDUSTANI MUSIC FESTIVAL 

Sat Nov 26 Sun 27 | 6 pm | £15, £10
Bhavan’s resident Hindustani vocal Guru Smt. Chandrima Misra presents her students in
a two-day classical music recitals with a
melange of solos, duets, and group performances.

The first evening ‘BHAIRAV TO BHAIRAVI’ and the second evening ‘VARIOUS EVENING RAGAS’ offer the audience a chance to soak up the beauty, complexity, and the variety in Hindustani Classical music.

'RANG' - INTERNATIONAL KUCHIPUDI FESTIVAL 

Fri Nov 25 | 6 pm | £30/£27/£22 (£30/£25/£20 if booked online). Use code BHAVAN50 to book online.
Arunima Kumar dance company in collaboration with the Bhavan presents the annual Kuchipudi International dance festival 'RANG' – the largest in the UK.
The evening will present artists from diverse backgrounds and ages and will showcase the art of Kuchipudi in all its glory.
Also featuring Counterpoint and Natarang (Poland) artists.


SITAR BY GAURAV MAZUMDAR ACCOMPANIED BY Pt. RAJKUMAR MISRA ON TABLA | RAVI SHANKAR MEMORIAL CONCERT ­ 

Sun, Nov 6 | 6 pm |£17/£12 (£15, £10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN 50 to book) 
This event is part of the AUTUMN MUSIC FESTIVAL PASS. 
Buy tickets to three music events in October and November (Oct 16, Oct 23, and Nov 6) and get 25% off, in addition to the above mentioned discount with the code Bhavan 50 .
(Simply add all three events together into the cart and proceed to checkout for the discount to be automatically applied) 
As part of our annual Ravi Shankar Memorial Concert series, we are proud to present Sri. Gaurav Mazumdar in a solo Sitar concert. He will be accompanied by Pt. Rajkumar Misra on Tabla.

The Ravi Shankar memorial Concert Series are sponsored by The Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust

'AUNTY' - A TRIBUTE TO OUR GURU

Sun, Oct 30 | 4 pm | Doors open - 3.45pm
£10/£5 (Other donations welcome)
Please join us in celebrating the life of our beloved Smt. Sivasakthi Sivanesan on 30th October 2022, one year on from her passing. 
The celebration will honour her memory and legacy through performances by The Bhavan’s music and dance students whose lives she blessed. 
‘Aunty - A Tribute to Our Guru’ will be a ticketed event with all proceeds going to the Sivan Arul Foundation, a charity which aims to empower the vulnerable in the Northern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka. 
All donations welcome.


KARNATIC FLUTE RECITAL BY FLUTE J.A.JAYANT AND TEAM 

Sun, Oct 23 | 6pm | £12 (£10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN 50 to book)
This event is part of the AUTUMN MUSIC FESTIVAL PASS. 
Buy tickets to three music events in October and November (Oct 16, Oct 23, and Nov 6) and get 25% off, in addition to the above mentioned discount with the code Bhavan 50 .
(Simply add all three events together into the cart and proceed to checkout for the discount to be automatically applied) 
Flute J.A.Jayant, young exponent on the Karnatic flute is a true prodigy having started performing since the age of seven. He has been featured in major festivals and venues across the globe and has won the best instrumentalist award 7 times from The Madras Music Academy. He has collaborated with Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Guitar Prasanna, Veena Rajhesh Vaidhya, Nandini Shankar to name a few. He is the first Karnatic flautist to unveil the 106 cms long Double Bass bansuri in performances.

Accompanists:-
Sumanth Manjunath - violin
K. Sai Giridhar - Mridangam


SITAR AND SAROD JUGALBANDHI – THE MOHAN BROTHERS

Sun, Oct 16 | 6pm | £17/£12 (£15/£10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN 50 to book)
This event is part of the AUTUMN MUSIC FESTIVAL PASS. 
Buy tickets to three music events in October and November (Oct 16, Oct 23, and Nov 6) and get 25% off, in addition to the above mentioned discount with the code Bhavan 50 .
(Simply add all three events together into the cart and proceed to checkout for the discount to be automatically applied) 
The Bhavan presents a scintillating evening of the best of classical instrumental music. The Mohan brothers Lakshay Mohan and Aayush Mohan present a jugalbandhi concert of Sitar and Sarod. The first Indians to perform at the Grammy Museum at Los angeles, the brothers have achieved critical acclaim for their art.

They will be accompanied by Pt. Rajkumar Misra on Tabla and M Balachandar on Mridangam.

"The first Indians to perform at the Grammy Museum Los Angeles."
-- The Times of India

"Unique style of playing"
- FOX Television, USA


SOLO KATHAK RECITAL BY MAYA DHANANJAY 

Sun, Oct 9 | 6 pm | £12 (£10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN 50 to book)

This event is part of the AUTUMN DANCE FESTIVAL PASS. 
Buy tickets to three dance events in October (Oct 1, Oct 2, and Oct 9) and get 25% off, in addition to the above mentioned discount with the code Bhavan 50 .
(Simply add all three events together into the cart and proceed to checkout for the discount to be automatically applied) 
Young danseuse Maya Dhananjay presents a solo Kathak recital. The evening will feature ‘Nrithyabandhas’, traditional pieces of the Kathak repertoire.

About the artist
Maya Dhananjay has been training in the sacred dance forms of Kathak and Bharathanatyam since her birth under the able guidance of her mother and teacher, Guru Shubha Dhananjay, Artistic director of Natyantharanga, Bengaluru, India. She also received intensive training under Guru Smt. Geethanjali Lal and Sri Raghavraj Bhatt. She is a graded artist for the National Broadcast Media Doordarshan in
both Kathak and Bharathanatyam forms. She has achieved her proficiency/ Videath qualification in both the styles as well. She has extensively performed at various prestigious platforms across India, USA, Dubai, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and UK for which she has been entitled many awards. Maya also practices Odissi dance with equal grace and charm.
She is an engineer, an MBA graduate and currently sharing her love for art and culture through youth and community development projects as a Lead Culture Artist at Young Asian Voices, Sunderland UK.

“Dance is that unfathomable human experience which can never be suppressed”, says Maya and that, there’s a constant growing need for
that direct contact with life which is felt through DANCE!!

KALAKSHETRA IN LONDON 

October 7, 2022, 6:30 pm :
Talk by Revathi Ramachandran, Director, Kalakshetra Foundation
October 8 – 13, 2022:
Intermediate and General Level courses delivered by Dr. Jyolsana Menon, Professor, Kalakshetra Foundation

The Bhavan is delighted to be part of this new initiative - a new journey in shaping skills and knowledge in Dance Practice by Partnering with Kalakshetra to deliver the techniques and the core principles of the Kalakshetra Methodology. Through this exclusive collaboration we can provide an opportunity to work with the source teachers and experience the Kalakshetra methodologies here in the UK.

OBJECTIVES
• Enable the current generation of dancers to engage directly with the source material and teacher from Rukmini Devi's direct Lineage.
• Enhance existing learning processes and present new ways of looking at and exploring material that may already be well known.
• Explore the contemporary relevance of Rukmini Devi’s choreography.
• Support teachers to refresh their Repertoire and an opportunity to engage with the senior professor and connect to the Institute.
A certificate of participation will be offered to all attendees.

OPEN TO ALL DANCERS
Minimum 3 years of experience
LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE *
To avoid disappointment, please book in advance 

ANY FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE WRITE TO
STELLA SUBBIAH - stella@bhavan.net

Dates, Timings and Prices

INTERMEDIATE SESSIONS 
TECHNIQUE CLASS | RUKMINI DEVI’S CHOREOGRAPHY FROM SOURCE | PRACTICAL AND VISUAL INTERPRETATION OF RUKMINI DEVI’S CHOREOGRAPHY THROUGH ORIGINAL VIDEOS OF HER 
DANCE-DRAMAS

Sat Oct 8 and Sun Oct 9 
10.30am – 1.30 pm
TECHNIQUE AND SEQUENCING OF ADAVUS | PRACTICALS
Mon Oct 10, Wed 12, & Thur 13 
6.30 pm – 8 pm
FEE
Weekend per session - £30
Weekday per session - £20
All 5 sessions - £100

TEACHERS’ REFRESHER SESSIONS
REVISITING BHARATANATYAM PEDAGOGY OF KALAKSHETRA 
Theory and Practice (All dancers/dance practitioners welcome)
Tue Oct 11 
11 am – 12.30 pm | 2PM – 3.30 PM
FEE
£30


BHAVAN PRESENTS - ELEMENTAL GODDESS

Sun, Oct 2 | 11.30 am | £14 (£12 if booked online.
Use code BHAVAN 50 to book)
This event is part of the AUTUMN DANCE FESTIVAL PASS. 
Buy tickets to three dance events in October (Oct 1, Oct 2, and Oct 9) and get 25% off, in addition to the above mentioned discount with the code Bhavan 50 .
(Simply add all three events together into the cart and proceed to checkout for the discount to be automatically applied) 
Bringing Goddess and earth systems together, building bridges between faith and climate action through art.
Elemental Goddess is a live performance of new solo choreographies drawing from rich diverse performance traditions of India.

DANCERS:
Chamundeeswari Kuppuswamy - Bharatanatyam
Mathangi Keshavan - Bharatanatyam
Debanjali Biswas - Manipuri
Amrita Jayakrishnan - Kuchipudi
Katrina Rute - Odissi
Ranjitha Chowalloor - Mohiniattam
Sonia Chandaria – Kathak
Devika Rao - Yakshagana


‘NRITHYA SANDHYAA’ BY UPAHAAR SCHOOL OF DANCE 

Sat, Oct 1 | 6pm |£17/£12 (£15/ £10 if booked online. Use code BHAVAN 50 to book)
This event is part of the AUTUMN DANCE FESTIVAL PASS. 
Buy tickets to three dance events in October (Oct 1, Oct 2, and Oct 9) and get 25% off, in addition to the above mentioned discount with the code Bhavan 50 .

(Simply add all three events together into the cart and proceed to checkout for the discount to be automatically applied) 
One of the core philosophies of Upahaar is that dance & music enhances one’s mental and physical health and can therefore be learnt and performed at any age. The school aims to bring Indian classical dance to every sector of the community through its various activities and events, highlighting the organisation’s commitment and dedication to promoting arts. 

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE
The Ensemble is a semi-professional core group of well-trained dancers who undertake intensive training, and will present an evening of natyam in at least two of the three styles taught at Upahaar. The Ensemble present both traditional Margams as well as thematic productions. They have performed in prestigious venues across the UK, including the British Parliament, the Queen’s Gallery (Buckingham Palace), and the British Museum. They have also performed internationally. Through regular presentations, they reiterate Upahaar’s objectives of promoting the arts and making it available to one and all.


SAMMILAN – A BHARATANATYAM AND KATHAK JOINT WORKSHOP 

Sat, Sept 24 | 12 pm – 1.30 pm | £5/free for Bhavan students
Join us for a unique dance workshop that looks at the similarities of Bharatanatyam and Kathak. Open to students of both dance forms, students will have the opportunity to understand the methodology of the two dance forms and learn how a single piece of music can be choreographed and expressed in the two different forms.
This workshop will be taught by Guru Shubha Dhananjay, assisted by Maya Dhananjay and Mudra Dhananjay.

ABOUT THE TEACHER
Smt. Shubha Dhananjay is one of the foremost dancers from Bangalore, India of her generation, equally proficient in Bharatanatyam and Kathak. Trained under Late Guru S.V Srinivas in the purest Tanjore shall of Bharatanatyam and Guru Dr. Maya Rao in the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak, she has carved a luminous career spanning over 35 years in which she has performed extensively across the world, trained hundreds of students of international and Multicultural backgrounds, and presented several solo and ensemble thematic presentations to critical acclaim.
  
The workshop will enable students to learn from her unique methodology and perspective of looking at and performing Bharatanatyam and Kathak.
Maya Dhananjay and Mudra Dhananjay , her daughters and disciples with extensive training in both dance forms, will assist her in the workshop.

SOLO KUCHIPUDI PERFORMANCE BY
BHAVANA REDDY
*POSTPONED - due to unforeseen travel difficulties*

Sat, Sept 24 | 6 pm | £17, £12 (£15/£10 if booked online.
Use code BHAVAN50 to book)

Bhavana Reddy will be presenting Solos in traditional Kuchipudi Indian Classical Dance Drama form. The lineup will be featuring new and rare choreographies by her parents Raja Radha Reddy & herself.

"Her performance of Solos in Kuchipudi shows a transcendent understanding and use of physical technique that takes her presentation into the realm of the spiritual." Jeffrey James editor of SoundWordSight, New York

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Bhavana Reddy represents Kuchipudi dance the world over as a performer. “Raja Reddy's daughter dances like lightning” – The Hindu newspaper, India
As a solo performer, she has presented concerts for prestigious organisations, embassies and consulates of India (across the world including Germany, Singapore, Sydney, San Francisco); Temple of Fine Arts (Malaysia & Indonesia), National Museum (Copenhagen), Kennedy Center (Washington DC), NCPA (Mumbai, India), Spic Macay. 
Bhavana is the recipient of the coveted Indian National Award, ‘Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar’ amongst other awards and a choreography grant from the legendary European choreographer Jiří Kylián’s Foundation. 
Some collaborative highlights include - at the Walt Disney Concert Hall to Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra’s, ‘Rite of Spring’ with Kitty Mcnamee.Artist-in-Residence Korzo Netherlands, choreographing with ex Artistic Director Leo Sprekse. In Dublin City University, Ireland with Prof. Ronan Guilfoyle, Director School of Jazz.  

'SHUDDHA LASYAM' -
Feminine and Delicate Rendering through dance
Kuchipudi workshop with BHAVANA REDDY
*POSTPONED* - due to unforeseen travel difficulties

Fri, Sept 23, 6.30 pm – 8 pm 
Sun, Sept 25, 12 pm – 1.30 pm
£20 for both days

Bhavana Reddy delves into the forte of the Kuchipudi dance and drama: Shuddha Lasyam - grace and fluidity that alights another dimension to the rhythmic movements of Kuchipudi Dance. Participants will examine expression (Abhinaya) in their own body and also become familiar with the delicate aspect of femininity through the exploration of drama and role playing that is unique to Kuchipudi dance. How do the stories come to life in your imagination and how can they be expressed in this language of dance? In this workshop weekend you will learn about expressing yourself empathetically and delicately without inhibition which you can apply to your own dancing personality.

Open to dancers of all styles : Level: Basic/ Intermediate

'The Art of Tabla' - Recital and lec - dem with
PT. SANJAY MUKHERJEE *CANCELLED

Recital - Sun June 26 | 6:00 pm | £20/£15
Lec dem - Sat June 25 | 11am - 12 pm (inc in the ticket)

NOTICE - DUE TO TRAVEL COMPLICATIONS AND UNAVOIDABLE CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR REACH,  WE  UNFORTUNATELY HAVE HAD TO CANCEL BOTH THE EVENTS - THE LEC - DEM ON SAT, THE 25th OF JUNE AT 11 AM, AND THE RECITAL ON SUNDAY THE 26TH OF JUNE.
WE APOLOGISE FOR THE LAST MINUTE CANCELLATION  AND ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED.

ALL TICKET HOLDERS WILL BE REFUNDED FOR THE TICKETS PURCHASED

The Bhavan is proud to present a first of its kind event – ‘THE ART OF TABLA’.

Featuring a stalwart of the Farukhabad Gharana, the maestro Pt. Sanjay Mukherjee accompanied by Sri Hiranmay Mitra on Harmonium, the event offers a unique opportunity for all to witness the precision and the rhythmic vitality of the Tabla.
This is a wonderful opportunity to watch a performance as well as attend a lecture demonstration by the artists and interact with them.

RUKMINI VIJAYAKUMAR PRESENTS - TALATTU

Saturday, May 21 | 6:00 pm | £25/£20/£15
Raadha Kalpa Dance Company presents – Talattu – a mother’s song and a lover’s farewell
By Rukmini Vijayakumar

Talattu addresses two very strong bonds of love that we share in our lives – the bond between a mother and child and the bond with a lover. The two bonds are very different, and we are seen very differently by these two very important people in our lives. Talattu takes the examples of Yashodha and Radha and their love for Krishna. It shows their personal journeys of joys and sorrows and how they deal with Krishna’s departure in very different ways.
Parents give up a part of themselves from the time a child is born. Both men and women take on the joys, sorrows, victories and defeats of their children as their own. The role of a parent is immense in the growth of a child and the emotional attachment that parents have to their offspring is incomparable. This relationship of caregiver and child is immortalised as Yashoda and Krishna in Indian mythology. Their relationship is nuanced with the complexity of Yashoda being Krishna’s adoptive parent. Yashoda’s sense of ownership is questioned when she realises that Krishna is not her own son. Talattu, addresses the complexity of this relationship and the love that permeates through this confusion.
The second relationship that is explored in Talattu is that of a lover. The bond of love is the strongest bond that one shares in life. The romantic relationship offers comfort, and togetherness. The ability to sacrifice for another within this relationship is paralleled with the idea of spiritual surrender.

* SOLD OUT *