For Immediate Release / July 8, 2001
 

'Love Lyrics'

Saturday, September 22, 2001

Rangoli Foundation for Art & Culture Presents ‘Love Lyrics’ at the New Performing Arts Center, California State University, Northridge at 7:00 P.M.

‘Love Lyrics’ is an evening of elegant music and dance imagery (‘Bharata Natyam’ and ‘Kathak’) from India celebrating ‘Love’, the supreme human emotion. ‘Love Lyrics’ depicts ‘Vatsalya’, the unconditional love for a child & ‘Sringara’ / ‘Bhakthi’, the eternal search & love for the divine by the human soul.

The piece de resistance, ‘Sarasijanabha Varnam’ (Raga Kambodhi, set to Atta Tala / 14 beat time cycle) performed by company’s lead dancer, Lakshmi Iyengar (disciple and daughter of Malathi Iyengar) is a grand musical composition of Maharaja Swati Tirunal of Kerala. This rarely performed piece was originally set to dance by the legendary Guru Kittappa Pillai belonging to the lineage of the Tanjore Quartet. This tradition was handed down to his disciple Guru Narmada of Bangalore and in turn to Malathi Iyengar.

‘Dhamar’, an exquisite work set to 14 beat time cycle is performed by the Kathak dancer K. Murali Mohan. ‘Dhamar’, related to the musical form of ‘Dhrupad’ is one of the earliest compositions in Kathak based on religious and stylized music of north India.

The event features choreographic works by Kumudini Lakhia, The Dhananjayans, Murali Mohan, & Malathi Iyengar. The performance showcases solo and group performances by Malathi Iyengar, Lakshmi Iyengar, and dancers from India including K. Murali Mohan (disciple of Dharmashi Shah & Kumudini Lakhia), T. B. Unnikrishnan & Neewin Hershall (Kalakshetra graduates & disciples of Dhananjayans). Musicians from India include Mysore Srinath (vocal), Gurumurthy (Mridangam & Tabla) & Chandan Kumar (Flute) / Krishna Kutty (Violin). Padma Kutty, a well respected singer and teacher from southern California will be the guest of honor.

Cal State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff (Enter at Zelzah & Plummer, Use Parking Lot ‘C’).
Tickets: $15 Door / $12 Advance Purchase, Seniors, Students, DRC & Art Card Members. Information 818 677 2488 / 818 677 3943 / 818 788 6860 / msiyengar@hotmail.com / www.rangoli.org.
 

'Ankle Bells & Painted Faces'

Saturday, October 6, 2001

Rangoli Foundation, as a part of the Los Angeles County-Wide Arts Open House presents ‘Ankle Bells & Painted Faces’, celebrating folk traditions of India at the Madrid Theater, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. California. Concept & Direction – Malthi Iyengar
Folk Dances are choreographic works of K. Murali Mohan (Kathak & Folk artist, India).

The event features tradition bearers, & scholars including Dr Colin Quigley (Folklorist & Ethnologist, UCLA), Anuradha Kishore Ganpati, (Ethnologist & journalist), Mysore Srinath, Sudarshan Chalan, Gurumurthy, & Chandan Kumar (musicians from India), and dancers Lakshmi Iyengar, Malathi Iyengar, Neewin Hershall (India), Unnikrishnan (India), Murali Mohan (India), Rangoli Dance Company.

The event is made possible in part by California Council for The Humanities (a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts) & Madrid Theater (a facility of the City of Los Angeles, Cultural Affairs Department). Information – 818 347 9419, 818 788 6860 / msiyengar@hotmail.com / www.rangoli.org