Author: Artion

Chennai, Tamil Nadu: FOR FRIDAY REVIEW: Nithyashree performs Shiva’s Ananda Tandavam before a 10-ft Nandi statue at VR mall in Chennai on Sunday. Photo: Akhila Easwaran/ The Hindu | Photo Credit: AKHILA EASWARANThe atrium of VR Chennai in Anna Nagar echoed with music and sounds of the salangai during ‘Pradosha Arpana’, an event curated by Laasya Dance Academy, Bengaluru.Anchored around the legend of Pradosham, when Shiva drank the deadly poison and danced to restore the cosmic balance, the evening unfolded before a majestic 10-ft Nandi. The evening featured Bengaluru-based young Bharatanatyam artiste Nithyashree, who presented three pieces that she performed…

Kavya Ganesh began her performance with Sage Patanjali’s ‘Shambhu natanam”. | Photo Credit: Pari S JindalThe beauty of the Bharatanatyam margam lies in its structured format. Yet, it allows the artistes to reimagine and present it in their own distinct way. This was evident at the recent performance of Kavya Ganesh, for the HCL series, hosted by the Music Academy.Soft vocals, mild music from the instruments and graceful poses by the dancer set the tone for a vibrant opening. Kavya began her performance with sage Patanjali’s ‘Shambhu natanam’, portraying the lord of dance. The movements were marked by clarity as…

Rasika Rajagopalan and D. Dilip | Photo Credit: RAGHUNATHAN SRWhen thematic dance performances are the order of the day, watching one based on traditional repertoire was refreshing. D. Dilip and Rasika Rajagopalan presented a Kuchipudi dance recital, organised by Saila Sudha, at Rasika Ranjani Sabha, in Chennai. Titled ‘Mugdha Madhavam’, the performance consisted of compositions devoted to Krishna.The dancers, in colour-coordinated costumes, began with ‘Kasturi thilakam’, a prayer from Krishna Karnamritam by Bilavangala. Next came the Niroshta Raga Svaravali (composed by Bhagavatulu Seetharama Sharma), which was marked by energetic dancing. The piece also stood out for synchronised movements and sculpturesque…

Jagyaseni Chatterjee’s ‘Flame to Fragrance’ celebrated womanhood. | Photo Credit: SRINATH MJagyaseni Chatterjee, a senior disciple of Lakshmi Ramaswamy, recently presented a thematic Bharatanatyam recital, ‘From Flame to Fragrance: A Journey of Devotion, Desire and Dharma’, at Rasika Ranjani Sabha. Through a bouquet of traditional compositions, the dancer creatively explored diferent rasas.The bright red and black costume and lighting design enhanced the visual impact of the first composition, ‘Thaka thaka endru aduvom’, by Subhramanya Bharati, which was an ode to the feminine energy. The dancer drew parallels among the multiple roles played by women. This was visualised through a powerful…

The power of music Music is one of the most beautiful and powerful forms of art and of expression. It is emotion, energy, and memory all rolled into one and appeals to the hearing power of the human. It can make them smile, cry, dance, and even just stop for a moment to appreciate the things in life or reminisce about them. And sometimes, we hear a piece of music, or tune, or beat so beautiful or eerie, it gives us goosebumps. Have you ever wondered why this happens? What exactly are goosebumps? Goosebumps, also known as ‘piloerections’ are small…

Thane, Maharashtra – In a powerful expression of hope and harmony, over 80 individuals from diverse walks of life will unite ahead of Earth Day 2025 to paint a 120-meter-long artwork on the streets of Thane — all within 40 minutes. The initiative, titled PAINT4Ps: Planet, People, Progress & Peace – The Countdown to 2030, is expected to set an Asia Book of Records title for the largest peace-themed mural created by citizens in the shortest time.The event will take place on April 20, 2025, along the scenic Upvan Lake Road in Thane (W). It is being spearheaded by Mumbai-based…

Ai-Da, the AI robot artist, shares her views on World Art Day. She discusses the role of art in fostering dialogue. Ai-Da also addresses concerns about AI art’s authenticity. Her creator, Aidan Meller, highlights the ethical considerations. He differentiates Ai-Da’s creative process from unethical AI practices. The discussion explores the future of AI in art. AI-generated art is everywhere — from trending filters to high-stakes auctions. While netizens experiment with Studio Ghibli-style AI creations, artists protest against major auction houses selling AI works allegedly built on copyrighted content. This World Art Day, we interview Ai-Da, an AI robot artist whose…

The issues with phone addiction We are living in the golden age of technology today, and nothing is more attractive than being hooked to the screen for hours, binging on old cartoons, webseries, shows, and more. And to put a cherry on the cake, there are endless reels, short videos, and so much more! But unfortunately, this too comes with a downside. People, not just children, but also adults, are struggling with this and parents now want ways to keep their children away from screens. And when baking and cooking are sidelined by the young ones, art comes as the…

India’s classical arts reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage, serving as a vital link to traditions passed through generations. To celebrate this legacy, Kalanand Kathak Nritya Sanstha, recognized by the Maharashtra Government, organized the event ‘Bharat Ke Sanmaan Mein – Nrutya Pushpanjali’ on the occasion of India’s 76th Republic Day at Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar Natyagruha, Thane.The event also marked the launch of ‘Kathak Darshan: Part 2,’ an insightful book by India’s renowned Kathak artist Guru Mrs. Bhavana Lele, further enriching the resources available to Kathak enthusiasts and practitioners, made possible with the support of Artion’s collaborative efforts. EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Nrutya…

The prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai is currently a hub of creativity, wonder, and admiration with the simultaneous exhibitions of ‘Aetheria’ by celebrated artist Mini Suboth and ‘Shringar’ by renowned sculptor Dharamaraj Rampure. These captivating displays of creative brilliance invite visitors into a world of visual enchantment, where nature, landscapes, and the essence of feminine allure take center stage.Mini Suboth, an alumna of prestigious institutions including the Cine Art Institute in Kerala, the Fine Arts Institute in Trivandrum, the Abstract Painting Academy in the United States, and the Bold School in Canada, presents ‘Aetheria.’ Her artistic journey, characterized by…