MENAKA THAKKAR DANCE COMPANY OF CANADA
Presents
WHIRLING STREAMS - AN ONGOING SERIES OF INDIAN DANCE
INTERNET STREAMING TO MULTIPLE LOCATIONS all over the world
AT AFFORDABLE PRICES
MENAKA THAKKAR PRESENTS
TWO SHOWS TO OPEN THE SEASON 2019
1. Prelude 2019:
Free promotional show all over the INTERNET
“IN THE FURTHER SOIL”
presented Saturday May 4, 2019 to Saturday august 31, 2019.
available ONLY IN THE HOME VIEWING FORMAT VIA INTERNET ON PERSONAL DEVICES ANY TIME AND ANY WHERE in THE WORLD
BE OUR GUEST
(Click link below to watch IN THE FURTHER SOIL)
Presents
WHIRLING STREAMS - AN ONGOING SERIES OF INDIAN DANCE
INTERNET STREAMING TO MULTIPLE LOCATIONS all over the world
AT AFFORDABLE PRICES
- Theatre watching at designated cinemas through the use of streaming technology
- Home viewing via internet on personal devices anytime, anywhere in the world
- Both live and encore streaming of a live performance in a variety of time zones
MENAKA THAKKAR PRESENTS
TWO SHOWS TO OPEN THE SEASON 2019
1. Prelude 2019:
Free promotional show all over the INTERNET
“IN THE FURTHER SOIL”
presented Saturday May 4, 2019 to Saturday august 31, 2019.
available ONLY IN THE HOME VIEWING FORMAT VIA INTERNET ON PERSONAL DEVICES ANY TIME AND ANY WHERE in THE WORLD
BE OUR GUEST
(Click link below to watch IN THE FURTHER SOIL)
Canada's Premiere Indian Dance Company Presents Live-Streaming of:
"IN THE FURTHER SOIL: The Transplantation of a Dance Tradition"
“In the Further Soil” illustrates the journey that MENAKA THAKKAR has forged in founding the first professional school of Indian dance in Canada as well as the first culturally diverse performance company to receive funding from the Canada Council for the Arts. The title of this production comes from a poem by Rabindranath Tagore in which he speaks of the Banyan Tree that not only grows in its own soil but also spreads its own roots to the further soil and actively raises a whole colony of other banyans all around itself. This is an apt metaphor for the growth of Indian dance in Canada through the activities of Ms. Thakkar. The 2015 encore show features 20 company dancers and students from the school performing in classical Bharatanatyam, Odissi and contemporary works.
Click here to: Watch "In The Further Soil" Online For Free!
2. Gita Govinda 2019:
A ticketed Dance Performance at Canada’s CINEPLEX THEATRES And elsewhere in the world.
Celebrating her own recent induction into Dance Collection Danse Encore Dance Hall Of Fame (March 24, 2019) along with other legendary Canadian dancers such as Karen Kain, Patricia Beatty, David Earl and others, Menaka Thakkar, at 78, rejuvenates herself and takes a far reaching initiative of expanding her dance school Nrtyakala by adding an on-line wing of long distance instruction over the internet to teach India’s Odissi dance style along with her already acclaimed curriculum of Bharatanatyam. Smt. Sujata Mohapatra, daughter in law of Guruji Kelucharan Mohapatra has been invited to teach Odissi every Sunday from Bhubaneshwar in India to newly admitted Odissi students in Toronto. In order to highlight this new development of historic significance, Menaka will present her own highly cherished choreographic work Gita Govinda in Odissi dance style, deeply inspired by her guru: Padma Vibhushana Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra at whose feet this event is dedicated.
"IN THE FURTHER SOIL: The Transplantation of a Dance Tradition"
“In the Further Soil” illustrates the journey that MENAKA THAKKAR has forged in founding the first professional school of Indian dance in Canada as well as the first culturally diverse performance company to receive funding from the Canada Council for the Arts. The title of this production comes from a poem by Rabindranath Tagore in which he speaks of the Banyan Tree that not only grows in its own soil but also spreads its own roots to the further soil and actively raises a whole colony of other banyans all around itself. This is an apt metaphor for the growth of Indian dance in Canada through the activities of Ms. Thakkar. The 2015 encore show features 20 company dancers and students from the school performing in classical Bharatanatyam, Odissi and contemporary works.
Click here to: Watch "In The Further Soil" Online For Free!
2. Gita Govinda 2019:
A ticketed Dance Performance at Canada’s CINEPLEX THEATRES And elsewhere in the world.
Celebrating her own recent induction into Dance Collection Danse Encore Dance Hall Of Fame (March 24, 2019) along with other legendary Canadian dancers such as Karen Kain, Patricia Beatty, David Earl and others, Menaka Thakkar, at 78, rejuvenates herself and takes a far reaching initiative of expanding her dance school Nrtyakala by adding an on-line wing of long distance instruction over the internet to teach India’s Odissi dance style along with her already acclaimed curriculum of Bharatanatyam. Smt. Sujata Mohapatra, daughter in law of Guruji Kelucharan Mohapatra has been invited to teach Odissi every Sunday from Bhubaneshwar in India to newly admitted Odissi students in Toronto. In order to highlight this new development of historic significance, Menaka will present her own highly cherished choreographic work Gita Govinda in Odissi dance style, deeply inspired by her guru: Padma Vibhushana Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra at whose feet this event is dedicated.
Preview
Here is the link to Gita Govinda 4 min video excerpt.
Please watch it for a glimpse into the look and feel of this work
before you decide to buy access to see the show:
Here is the link to Gita Govinda 4 min video excerpt.
Please watch it for a glimpse into the look and feel of this work
before you decide to buy access to see the show:
WATCH
UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS IN TWO ALTERNATIVE FORMS
(1) HOME VIEWING OF GITA GOVINDA via Internet Streaming
On-Demand any time (May 26, 2019—June 30, 2019)
anywhere in the world.
PURCHASE For $11.99 CAD
48 hour On-Line Viewing Access to Gita Govinda:
https://mtdc.cleeng.com/vod/gita-govinda-48-hour-access/R689630633_CA
(2) GROUP VIEWING OF GITA GOVINDA IN A PUBLIC THEATRE
via Internet Streaming
We shall offer (during the same time period) group viewing in a wide-screen public cinema house such as CINEPLEX Theatres at ANY OF THE FOLLOWING locations of your choice in Canada: Additional locations will continue to be announced in response to additional demand.
LOCATION 1
Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough
Scarborough Town Centre, 300 Borough Dr, Scarborough, ON M1P 4P5
Date: Thursday May 30th, 2019
Seating: 7:00pm
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4222898
LOCATION 2
Cineplex Cinemas Winston Churchill
2081 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON L6H 6P5
DATE: TBA
LOCATION 3
Cineplex Cinemas Markham
179 Enterprise Blvd #169, Markham, ON L6G 0E7
DATE: TBA
The suggested ticket price: CAD $20 per head (or its local equivalent).
HOWEVER, in order to make it possible for a very large number of people to be touched by the experience of Indian dance at affordable prices, we have decided to adopt the technology of internet streaming in its dissemination to far flung places and charge truly affordable prices by offering the option of “PAY WHAT YOU CAN”. This indeed puts us to great financial struggle since we still have to operate within the same economic establishment of the ongoing entertainment market’s cost structures while exposing ourselves to lower revenue. We therefore request you to act most fairly and do consider the opportunity of offering donations and sponsorships where you will also be able to get tax deductible receipts since we are a registered charity.
UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS IN TWO ALTERNATIVE FORMS
(1) HOME VIEWING OF GITA GOVINDA via Internet Streaming
On-Demand any time (May 26, 2019—June 30, 2019)
anywhere in the world.
PURCHASE For $11.99 CAD
48 hour On-Line Viewing Access to Gita Govinda:
https://mtdc.cleeng.com/vod/gita-govinda-48-hour-access/R689630633_CA
(2) GROUP VIEWING OF GITA GOVINDA IN A PUBLIC THEATRE
via Internet Streaming
We shall offer (during the same time period) group viewing in a wide-screen public cinema house such as CINEPLEX Theatres at ANY OF THE FOLLOWING locations of your choice in Canada: Additional locations will continue to be announced in response to additional demand.
LOCATION 1
Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough
Scarborough Town Centre, 300 Borough Dr, Scarborough, ON M1P 4P5
Date: Thursday May 30th, 2019
Seating: 7:00pm
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4222898
LOCATION 2
Cineplex Cinemas Winston Churchill
2081 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON L6H 6P5
DATE: TBA
LOCATION 3
Cineplex Cinemas Markham
179 Enterprise Blvd #169, Markham, ON L6G 0E7
DATE: TBA
The suggested ticket price: CAD $20 per head (or its local equivalent).
HOWEVER, in order to make it possible for a very large number of people to be touched by the experience of Indian dance at affordable prices, we have decided to adopt the technology of internet streaming in its dissemination to far flung places and charge truly affordable prices by offering the option of “PAY WHAT YOU CAN”. This indeed puts us to great financial struggle since we still have to operate within the same economic establishment of the ongoing entertainment market’s cost structures while exposing ourselves to lower revenue. We therefore request you to act most fairly and do consider the opportunity of offering donations and sponsorships where you will also be able to get tax deductible receipts since we are a registered charity.
FINAL SINGLE TICKET PRICE:
Pay-What-You-Can but not less than $14 CAD and no more than $20 CAD
- Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough | Thursday May 30th, 2019
- Cineplex Cinemas Winston Churchill | Thursday June 20th, 2019
- Cineplex Cinemas Markham | Thursday June 20th, 2019
(3) Still sweeter deal: Multiple ticket buyer:
A packet of 10 tickets available for $120 CAD.
- Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough | Thursday May 30th, 2019
- Cineplex Cinemas Winston Churchill | Thursday June 20th, 2019
- Cineplex Cinemas Markham | Thursday June 20th, 2019
DETAILS
Theatre Tickets: (Pay What You Can – Suggested: CAD $20 | Min CAD $14)
Special Group Discounted Rates available-inquire: 905 763 6083 ext.30
Buy Tickets through Brown Paper Tickets for the Cineplex Cinemas:
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4222898
Home Viewing Tickets: CAD $11.99 to watch on personal devices:
mtdc.cleeng.com/vod/gita-govinda-48-hour-access/R689630633_CA
For home viewing for South Asian* countries (CAD $5.99) click here:
https://mtdc.cleeng.com/vod/gita-govinda-48-hour-access-for-south-asia/R618126624_CA
South Asian countries are: Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives
* The ticket-buyer has to be physically present in South Asian countries to watch it
Preview: To view a 4 minute excerpt of Gita Govinda:
http://www.menakathakkardance.org/gitapreview.html
OPEN HOUSE: We are Very Excited to Announce…
MTDC OPEN HOUSE is an integral unit of Menaka Thakkar Dance Company that manages the educational and informative component of its programming and public presentations by opening its doors to its potential audiences for deeper but informal engagement with the artists and performers of the works announced for imminent marketing. The immediate example of one such program is “GITA GOVINDA” that will first be presented on Thursday, May 30th, at Scarborough Cineplex Theatres. Essentially the OPEN HOUSE is visualized to be a centre that will fully assist the public to become more knowledgeable and appreciative of this art form from all possible angles. This will generally involve free one hourly meetings at specified times held at MTDC Studio Theater (11 Glen Cameron Road , Thornhill) and Webinars which one can alternatively attend in the comfort and privacy of one’s own home, office , studio etc. by using one’s personal devices such as computers, smart phones etc. for which connective links will be freely provided. This is the most special facility that will be freely available through streaming technology that is the foundation of our dissemination process at every level. These meetings will generally involve lectures, demonstrations, artists’ interviews including short clips of their earlier dancing, deeper discussions on artistic issues and all relevant background information with the creators and even performers of the works. Also, the possibility of involving a few well-known experts, dance critics, dance historians both local and even from abroad on skype calls cannot be excluded. The meetings will be organized about two–three weeks before the first night of the show and will encourage informal interactions among the members so that the participants will really gain positive results. They will become confident about their deepening understanding and even gain a growing sense of involvement and even ownership as they will walk the last few days with the work to its opening. Our hope is that an active chat room will evolve among the participants of these meetings.
Stay Tuned... friends!!
OPEN HOUSE STARTS TWICE A WEEK BEGINNING FROM:
Monday May 6th, 2019 (7:00 pm onwards)
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 (7:00 pm onwards)
@ MTDC Studio Theater (11 Glen Cameron Road , Thornhill, L3T 4N3)
Click the following link to watch LIVE and past Open Houses:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClmEjAPG7D2et5WQAHSd6Yw
BACKGROUND ON MENAKA THAKKAR'S PRODUCTION OF GITA GOVINDA
In 2010, Artistic Director Menaka Thakkar created her most memorable choreographic work, GITA GOVINDA, which is a complete dance interpretation of India’s best known poetic classic under the same name, “Gita Govinda”, which has stood unrivalled in Sanskrit literature since the 12th century when it was written by the legendary poet Jayadeva of Orissa in India. This poetic classic was a favourite source of Menaka’s Guruji’s (Padma Vibhushana Kelucharan Mohapatra’s) own inspiration behind many of his most memorable dance compositions. The poetry of Gita Govinda is brilliant, lyrical, and enchanting. For the last eight centuries, it has held the imagination of a whole race with its sensuousness, musicality, and passionate imagery and stimulated the creativity of artists in a variety of art forms, such as painting, music and dance, particularly, Odissi dance. Its theme is the love between Lord Krishna and Radha. Symbolically it is perhaps the deeply compelling search of a human being for his/her soul and a longing to merge with it. In its outer expression, however, the poem blends the moods of devotion and erotic love and delineates the passionate love of Krishna and Radha as it develops through various stages. The integration of sensuality and spirituality imbedded in Gita Govinda reflects the Vaishnavite path of Hinduism to God.
It was in 1976 that Menaka had first created a solo version of this two-hour long work, for her own dancing, and she continued to perform it until 2010 when she decided to transform it into a group work for eight dancers.. In so doing, she had been inspired by her Guruji’s own choreography of the individual Ashtapadis of this long poem. Although the central focus was on dance, her work in its totality was supported by her brother, Rasesh Thakkar’s script and his intermittent voice-over narration in English as well as the reading in Sanskrit of some of the most enchanting passages from the original poem; This feature of the reworked version continues to render the story line of this ancient poem perfectly understandable and enjoyable. Taking her inspiration from the famous Kangra paintings of Gita Govinda, Canada’s foremost visual designer Ms. Cylla von Tiedemann created a lush setting for the lovers and their attending Gopi dancers where they can frolic in the forests of Vrindaban. This version was now taken up for further refinement in which Guruji’s own son, Ratikant Mohapatra, himself a highly respected choreographer and percussionist, has collaborated with Menaka. The lead role of Radha is assigned to one of India’s foremost Odissi dancers, Sujata Mohapatra, who is Guruji’s own daughter-in-law. The new version of Gita Govind began in a creative residency at The Banff Centre of Arts where all of the collaborators and dancers from India and Canada came together including Menaka’s long time music composer, Ashit Desai who was invited to provide additional music to support the transformation of the original solo into the present group work. The stage dancing of this work was captured on camera and then edited for internet streaming by Eddie Kastrau, himself a well-known Modern dancer with Danny Grossman Dance Company of Toronto. In this manner, a number of outstanding artists came together to help her offer her heart-felt tribute to the memory of her Guru. I hope you too will join her in this effort. The Gita Govinda has come to be a favorite work in the company’s repertoire and has toured across Canada and India twice and once in the United States.
FALL REGISTRATION Thornhill Studio: LABOUR DAY WEEKEND! SEPT. 1,2,3rd - CALL or COME FOR AN INTERVIEW - Our address : 11 Glen Cameron Road, Unit #1,Thornhill, ON L3T 4N3
(two traffic lights north of Avenue, east of Yonge Street)
FALL REGISTRATION: Brampton Studio: September 16th, Hot Yoga & Wellness
Brampton. 2 Automatic Road, Unit # 120, Brampton, ON L6S 5P2
Thinking of dance lessons for your child or for yourself? You can arrange to come in for an interview any time in the school year. We teach professional dance to students from 5 years old and up. Actual registration is in September and October but there are lots of student events you can attend and participate in during the year. We teach beginner, graduate and post-graduate classes in Bharatanatyam and Odissi in studios in Thornhill and Brampton.
In addition to our curriculum classes from grades 1 to 7, Our activities include: Dance Performances for Cultural and Community Events, Dance Intensives in Bharatanatyam and Odissi given by Menaka Thakkar and Artists in Residence, Training for Arangetram performance. In Studio Visiting Dancers Talks and Performances plus Live Streaming performances and dance classes from Mumbai by esteemed dancers. Two locations to serve you in Thornhill and Brampton.
Call Swati Tripathi at (905) 763 - 6083 Ext:30 for registration details or to come in for an interview.
Watch a documentary about the beginnings of Nrtyakala https://vimeo.com/122207070
New For 2018-2019 -On-line Teaching of Bharatanatyam and Odissi dance
for senior dancers!
REGISTRATION Thornhill Studio: LABOUR DAY WEEKEND! SEPT. 1,2,3rd - CALL or COME
FOR AN INTERVIEW - Our address : 11 Glen Cameron Road, Unit #1Thornhill, ON L3T 4N3
(two traffic lights north of Avenue, east of Yonge Street)
FALL REGISTRATION: Brampton Studio: September 16th, Hot Yoga & Wellness Brampton. 2 Automatic Road, Unit # 120, Brampton, ON L6S 5P2 from India!
OUR FACULTY - Dr. Menaka Thakkar - Artistic Director & Principal - Teacher of Bharatanatyam and Odissi to Senior Students
"Menaka Thakkar is a major figure in the Canadian dance landscape. She has trained with some of the best in India and, for years, has made their teachings accessible to the mainstream in Canada. Her work has truly enriched our collective culture." — Robert Sirman, Canada Council for the Arts Director and CEO
"Dr. Thakkar has introduced people from diverse cultural backgrounds to the majesty of Indian dance; she also has explored how different dance forms and their ways of moving can intermingle and complement one another. We salute her for everything she has accomplished on behalf of dance and dance education in Canada." —Norma Sue fisher-Stitt Chair, Department of Dance York University "Menaka is a born teacher. She is also a living ambassador for East Indian culture with all of its colour, diversity and long-standing tradition. She has made a powerful impact on my life and my appreciation for another culture. What a wonderful contribution she has made to the Canadian mosaic!" —Dennis F. Tupman Past District Principal for the Performing Arts Vancouver School School Board. Neena Jayarajan, Assistant Artistic Director and Bharatanatyam Teacher of Senior Students, Rehearsal Director, Rehearsal Director Neena is a Bharatanatyam dancer who has trained under the guidance of Dr. Menaka Thakkar for over 27 years. Neena has earned a Masters Degree in Dance from York University. She is a lead dancer with Menaka Thakkar Dance Company in Bharatanatyam, Odissi and modern Indian dance. Neena has toured with the company to various cities across the United States. Canada and India. Chrishantini Ravishankar, Head of Brampton School - Bharatanatyam Teacher Chrishantini heads the Brampton Nrtyakala branch and also teaches at the Thornhill school. Chrishanthini was one of the earliest students of Nrtyakala and travelled as a young girl with Menaka and other students to perform in India and Canada. She later danced for Menaka Thakkar Dance Company. Her daughters Raveena and Meghana have followed in their mother’s footsteps and are currently senior students of the school. |
Teachers for the inaugural year are: Odissi dancer Sujata Mohapatra from Bubaneshwar, India and
Deepak Mazumdar from Mumbai, India Classes start September 23, 2018. Thornhill Studio Menaka Thakkar Artistic Director of Nrtyakala Indian Dance School announces a new initiative of international on-line teaching of Bharatanatyam and Odissi supported by live streaming and two-way video conferencing technology. The classes will be held by Master Dancers from India in the school as an added benefit to students seeking advanced training. The regular school curriculum from grades 1 to 7 and the3 year professional training component will continue with on-site training. More information: Swati Tripathi – School Administrator;Tel.905-764-3646 ext.30; email:school@menakathakkardance.org; website: www.nrtyakala.org; Sujata Mohapatra Every year many superlative dancers come to New York. If I had to choose one to single out this year, it would be Ms. Mohapatra, the illustrious Odissi dancer who opened the Drive East season at Dixon Place in August. I have seen Ms. Mohapatra dance in India and in New York, but too seldom. The layers of communicative beauty in her dancing are innumerable. Click Ms. Mohapatra for full story. Deepak Mazumdar As a true "guru" who firmly believes in the "guru-shishya parampara" Deepak very actively encourages his students to perform on the stage and excel at their art. Till date Deepak has trained and presented more than 25 young people in "Arangetram". OUR FACULTY Kiruthika Ratnasingam - Teacher of Bharatanatyam to junior students. began her initial Bharathanaytam training under the guidance of Smt. Rajini Kulendran at the age of eight, with whom she completed her Arangetram in 2004. In 2008, she undertook further training under the tutelage of Dr. Menaka Thakkar, an internationally renowned and multi-honoured artist. Kiruthika subsequently became an active company dancer in Menaka Thakkar Dance Company, her Bharathanaytam training has been complimented by workshops in Kalaripayattu, Odissi and intensive body conditioning. Menaka Thakkar Dance Company features an extensive repertoire of performances and Kiruthika has performed and toured in many of these including, Shapes & Rhythms, In the Future Soil, Agni Rath, Ganesha Narthanam,Parashakti, Sitayana, Homecoming, Love’s Folly, Chitra, Prince Rama, Wise Monkey and Foolish Crocodile. Ayushi Sharma, Odissi Teacher Ayushi Sharma started learning Odissi in 1999 at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi under the guidance of Pyali De and Madhavi Mudgal. After coming to Canada, she joined Menaka Thakkar Dance Company and continued training at Nrtyakala under the tutelage of Menaka Thakkar and Sujata Mohapatra. NRTYAKALA - CLASSICAL INDIAN DANCE IS LOOKING FOR SPONSORS AND FUNDERS FOR OUR LIVE STREAMING UNDERTAKING! WE ARE A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH CHARITABLE STATUS WITH THE ABILITY TO GIVE tAX RECEIPTS. wE ARE LOOKING FOR SPONSORS WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE BENEFITS THAT LIVE STREAMING OFFERS BY PROVIDING INFINITE DISSEMINATION OF INDIAN CULTURE THROUGH DANCE TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE. WE HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS AND ARE NOW OFFERING ALL OF OUR LIVE EVENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH LIVE STREAMING. BUT WE NEED SUPPORT GETTING THE WORD OUT THROUGH YOUR SPONSORSHIP OR DONATION. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE PLEASE CONTACT: KAREN DEMPSTER at admin@menakathakkardance.org IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION RIGHT NOW WE ARE LISTED ON CANADA HELPS. |
Nrtyakala gives thanks to its funders:
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