For Immediate Release
BOOK RELEASE
Dance & Devotion
Written and compiled by Malathi Iyengar, M.F.A.
Illustrated by Suresh Iyengar
Friday, August 13, 2004. 7:00 P.M.
Pacific Asia Museum, 46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, California.
Information: 626 449 2742 / ext. 20
At a time when people around the world see arts as one of the highest forms of leverage to enhance society, Malathi Iyengar continues the tradition of creating and exploring new territories with the launch of Dance & Devotion: A Hand Book on Bharatanatyam dance and Traditional Prayers for students pursuing Indian Classical Dance. This event is a part of the Pacific Asia Museum‘s prestigious ‘Authors on Asia’ programs and includes a brief classical Indian dance performance by the Rangoli Dance Company and guest artists from India.
Scholar, Colin Quigley, Ph.D., World Arts and Cultures, University of California, Los Angeles will be the chief guest.
Books will be available for purchase and signing. 'Authors on Asia' programs are free to museum members and free with museum general admission for non-members. For reservations and program confirmations, please call 626 449 2742 / ext. 20.
Excerpts from Author’s Note
During the past three decades an unprecedented interest in Indian dance has swept across the world, increasing the number of students who aspire to learn Indian dance. It is the rewards and challenges of teaching Indian dance to second-generation Indian American and mainstream American students that motivated me to write and compile this handbook.
Dance & Devotion is a resource that will increase awareness of the contributions of many people to our understanding of the Indian dance and culture. The purpose of this handbook is to inspire and educate people on Indian Dance, and to introduce students to basic information regarding the study of Bharatanatyam dance, customs, culture, and traditional prayers. The handbook also includes iconographic illustrations by Suresh Iyengar, a glossary of definitions that are commonly used Bharatanatyam terms Sanskrit prayers, frequently used in Bharatanatyam dance, written in English.
The book has been edited by
Shatavadhani Dr R. Ganesh, Scholar and Research Officer, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Southern Regional Centre (Bangalore, India), Dr V. K. Indusekhar, Retired Scientist & Scholar (Bangalore, India), Caren McDonald, M.A., University of New Mexico, and Emma Jane Scioli, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Classics, University of California, Los Angeles.
Product Details:
Dance & Devotion
Publisher: Rangoli Foundation Available in summer 2004 Number of Pages: 185
Cost: $20 ISBN 0-9753912-0-8
Library of Congress Control Number 2004104620
Rangoli Foundation: 818 788 6860 / Fax 818 990 9279 / malathi@rangoli.org/ www.rangoli.org.
To buy Dance & Devotion in India, contact Project Manager K. Murali Mohan (80) 28603538 / mkalvakalva@yahoo.com
Author’s Biography
Malathi Iyengar, originally from Bangalore, India, is a Los Angeles based choreographer, dancer, writer, and visual artist. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Choreography and Performance from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her studies include: the vintage 'Pandanallur' / 'Tanjore' style of 'Bharatanatyam' from Guru Narmada of Bangalore (disciple of the late legendary Kittappa Pillai, descendant of the Tanjore Quartet); Choreography and Improvisation under the mentorship of Marion Scott.
As a result of her submission to the arts and willingness to take artistic challenges, Malathi is recognized as a visionary in the arts community. She is a recipient of several prestigious awards and distinctions for her choreographic works, company performances, and productions.
Malathi has been selected as a Master Artist by the Alliance for California Traditional Artists (ACTA), a recipient of the John Lennon Performing Arts Award, Brody Fellowship for Performing Arts, Alma Hawkins Award for Excellence in Choreography, Glorya Kaufman Award, and the National Endowment of the Arts for Creation & Presentation.
Drawing from her extensive experience as a consummate artist, Malathi regularly teaches classical Indian dance (Bharatanatyam), production and presentation seminars, and Intercultural dance theatre. She has also served as a panelist for several grant and award committees. Malathi and the Rangoli Dance Company have performed extensively throughout the USA, India, and Canada.
Malathi Iyengar’s choreography & staging include ‘Tulasi’ (2004) 'Sacred Geometry' (2002), ‘Enduring Traditions’ (2002), ‘Love Lyrics’ (2001), ‘Ankle Bells & Painted Faces’ (2001), ‘Inter-Active Visual Poetry’ (2000), ‘Ramayana’ (2000), ‘Gati-Pragati’ (99) among others.
Malathi is the artistic director of the Rangoli Foundation for Art & Culture, a non-profit organization founded in 1985. The Rangoli Foundation, recognized for its professional presentations, has not only showcased artists from around the world, but is also very instrumental in creating several opportunities for artists from India to share their talents in the United States. The Rangoli Foundation looks forward to celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2005.
For more information, visit www.rangoli.org