For Immediate Release April 25, 2004
Contact: Malathi Iyengar
malathisiyengar@gmail.com / 818 788 6860

Tulasi, Sacred Plant of India: a Bharatanatyam dance performance by
Malathi Iyengar & Rangoli Dance Company and Guest Artists from India.

Rangoli Foundation presents ‘Tulasi’, Sacred Plant of India, a Bharatanatyam Dance Concert by the Rangoli Dance Company along with Guest Artists from India on Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. at the Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, Ca 91303.
The evening also features a Kuchipudi dance featuring bay area artist, Jyothi Lakkaraju.

‘Tulasi’, known as the Holy Basil, is a sacred plant indigenous to India and south Asia. ‘Tulasi’, choreographed by Malathi Iyengar, portrays a rich tapestry of visual imagery that draws attention to the righteous earth goddess who embodies beauty, strength, and virtue. The performance features descriptive and narrative dances set to the divine compositions of 18th century poet, saint Thyagaraja and new compositions by contemporary composer, Rajkumar Bharathi.
‘Tulasi’ believed to be an incarnation of goddess Lakshmi, is associated with several legends that explain how and why she was converted into a plant. Iyengar with her vivid imagination choreographs episodes relating to Tulasi playing the vital role of demonstrating to the world that even a small object offered with devotion means more to the Lord than all the wealth in the world. In Sanskrit (ancient language of India), the word ’Tulasi’ means matchless or that which is incomparable in its qualities (tulaana nasti athaiva tulasi). ’Tulasi’ plant is also believed to have significant medicinal, environmental and spiritual values in addition to being used in various culinary delicacies.

Rangoli Dance Company a much sought after southern California dance ensemble, is internationally recognized for forging new paradigms in United States dance landscape. Founded in 1992 by its Artistic Director Malathi Iyengar, Rangoli Dance Company's strengths lie in showcasing professional productions and diverse creations. Rangoli Foundation’s (founded in 1985) wide range of activities include concerts, touring, inter disciplinary and cross-cultural partnerships and outreach activities, such as workshops and lecture demonstrations in schools and universities.

Best known for her acclaimed choreography ‘Sacred Geometry‘, Malathi Iyengar is at the forefront of South Asian dance in United States. Malathi Iyengar is recognized as a leading choreographer whose lifetime involvement with the arts covers an impressive spectrum of Bharatanatyam dance & intercultural performance, choreography, teaching, and scholarship.

Originally from Bangalore, India, Malathi has made Los Angeles her home for over thirty years. Malathi’s work spans a wide range of solo and ensemble choreography that have won her the reputation as a visionary. Malathi holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Choreography and Performance from the University of California, Los Angeles and has studied the vintage 'Pandanallur' / 'Tanjore' style of 'Bharata Natyam' from Guru Narmada of Bangalore, who is a disciple of the late legendary Kittappa Pillai, descendant of the Tanjore Quartet. She has studied Choreography and Improvisation under the mentorship of Marion Scott. Malathi is a recipient of Brody Fellowship for Performing Arts, Alma Hawkins Award for Excellence in Choreography, and National Endowment of the Arts for Creation & Presentation.

For Tickets & Directions, call Madrid Theatre @ 818 347 9938 / www.madridtheatre.org.
Advance Purchase $15 / Door $20 / DRC Members, Students & Senior $15
For Concert Information, call Rangoli Foundation @ 818 788 6860 / malathi@rangoli.org / www.rangoli.org.
This event produced by Rangoli Foundation is made possible in part by a grant from the ‘Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission’ & ‘Friends of the Madrid’.

Facts

What: ‘Tulasi’, sacred plant of India / a Bharatanatyam dance performance
Who: Malathi Iyengar & Rangoli Dance Company
Choreography - Malathi Iyengar
Musicians from India - Balasubramanyam Sharma (vocal), Gurumurthy (Percussion), & A. P. Sarvothama (Flute), Sankara Subramaniam (Violin).
Rangoli Dance Company - Shivani Aysola, Dimple Bhasin, Shayan Chalan, Lakshmi Iyengar, Hema Iyer, Mary Khetani, Sarah Mathew, Shyamala Moorty, Aarti Rao, Sangeetha Rao, Shaheen Sheik, Padmini Sirish, & Soumya Sundaresh.
Dancers from India - Ranjith Babu & Sudarsan Sibi
Guest artist from bay area - Jyothi Lakkaraju
When: Saturday, June 26, 2004. 7:00 P.M.
Where: Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, Ca
Prices: Advance Purchase: $15 / Door $20 / Students, Senior and DRC members $15
Tickets: 818 347 9938 / Madrid Theatre Box Office
Information: 818 788 6860 / malathi@rangoli.org / www.rangoli.org