MOVING VERSE IN CHOREOGRAPHY
with Madhu Nataraj
August 12 & 13, 2015
Fairview Library Theatre (35 Fairview Mall Drive, Toronto)
Kathak is rooted in storytelling; spoken word and literature played an integral role in its formation, delineation & evolution. From the age old ‘Sahitya’ or literature of Kathak, to the rich repository of the medieval period, to modern times, this workshop will revisit and explore the written word and its connotations in Kathak choreography.
Madhu Nataraj learned her craft from her mother, the cerebral and hugely imaginative Kathak Guru, Choreographer and Researcher, Dr. Maya Rao. Madhu will guide the participants through archival pieces that have been recreated by Maya ji, and will walk participiants through the exploration of the Kathak alphabet when choreographing literature inspired works.
This workshop is suitable for beginner/intermediate Kathak dancers.
MADHU NATARAJ
Performer, choreographer, educator and arts entrepreneur, Madhu was chosen as one of India’s 50 young achievers by India Today. She has received several awards, including the ‘Bismillah Khan Yuva puraskar’ from the central Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Mohan Khokar award for excellence in dance. She studied Kathak from her mother Dr Maya Rao and from Smt. Chitra Venugopal. Although she trained in contemporary dance in New York, Madhu returned to India with a vision to create a unique dance company with its own distinctive contemporary Indian dance identity – the Natya STEM Dance Kampni.
A graduate of commerce, journalism & choreography, she has also trained in Indian martial arts, ritualistic/folk dance traditions, pedagogy and Yoga. She believes dance is a potent medium for change in the public domain. Ranging from education, social issues, creativity, and documentation to healing, her projects aim to materialize this philosophy. Madhu has created over 75 choreographic works in the 16 years of the Kampni’s existence. She is also a panelist at important Design, Cultural and Academic institutions and is often invited to perform, design programs and choreographic works for prestigious cultural organizations across India, UK, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, SE Asia, Europe & USA.
SCHEDULE
August 12: 10:30am-12pm, 1:30pm-3:30pm
August 13: 10:30am-12pm
PRICE: $25.00 | Groups of 5 or more $15.00
To register please call 416-463-1710 or e-mail shanta.chikarmane@gmail.com.
Rina Singha 