The Tamarind Art Council is proud to present a special Bharantanatyam performance by accomplished dancer Sonali Skandan. The performance will be on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 from 6:30pm to 8pm. The event is free and open to the public.
To attend, RSVP to rsvp@tamarindarts.org or call 212-200-8000 press “0” for the operator.
First originating in Tamil Nadu, Bharatanatyam is a traditional Indian dance-form which focuses on devotion (bhakti) to God and is known for its grace, purity, compassion, and sculpture-like poses. Performed mainly by women, Bharatanatyam combines spiritual symbolism and elements such as Nritta (rhythmic, pure dance movements), Natya (imitation, or dance with a theatrical aspect) and Nritya, a combination of the two. Bharatanatyam is a dance that embodies the movements and elements of fire, and is one of the five major styles of dance in India. It is a solo dance with two aspects similar to the yin and yang, a feminine side with graceful movements and a side with a violent, masculine nature.
About Sonali Skandan
Sonali is a passionate and accomplished disciple of Bharatanatyam and a student of the renowned Professor C.V. Chandrasekhar of Chennai, India. and also receives training from Smt. Bragha Bessell, known for the art of abhinaya (expression). Sonali had her initial training under Smt. Thejeswini Raj. Noted for her clear and clean technique as well as eloquent abhinaya, Sonali has presented solo and group Bharatanatyam at major dance festivals and venues in the US and abroad, including the United Nations, Toronto International Dance Festival, the Downtown Dance Festival in NYC, the DanceNow Festival in NYC, the Asian American Dance Festival in San Francisco, CA and the Chennai Music and Dance Festival and Natyanjali Festivals in India.
Sonali is the artistic director of Jiva Performing Arts, based in NYC, where she teaches and creates engaging music and dance productions to increase the accessibility of the classical arts to all audiences. She has also started Jiva Dance Company, a professional dance company presenting exciting and compelling works based on the Bharatanatyam idiom. In its debut year, the company has presented concerts in prestigious venues to tremendous audience acclaim. Sonali is also on the dance faculty of Sarah Lawrence College.
About Tamarind Art Council
Tamarind Art Council (TAC) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting contemporary art in North America. Our focus is to support all types of artistic expression, including performing and fine arts, by sponsoring art-related activities and cross-cultural events in order to expand awareness for art and culture.
Our mission: Tamarind Art Council exemplifies how life can revolve around the arts. Our mission is to impel the work of contemporary artists and performers and to facilitate public appreciation for these unique cultural art forms. Some of our events include art exhibitions, performing arts, book launches, lectures and other cultural programs. As part of our on-going efforts, we support art museums, cultural communities and not-for-profit organizations around the globe. Tamarind Art has become a nexus for many art organizations and is a foremost resource center for gaining an understanding of all art forms, artists, and other areas of interest to individuals, businesses and art connoisseurs.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank our members for their generosity and support for the Council. This has been a challenging year, to say the least. But it has also been a remarkable productive one-one that would not have been possible without your support, generosity and belief in the Tamarind Art Council and its mission. You can become a member today by making check payable to Tamarind Art Council. Individual and family memberships are available.
For more information about Tamarind Art Council, please visit our website at www.tamarindarts.org
Tamarind Art Council is located at 142 E. 39th Street, New York, NY, 10016. Contact us by calling (212)200-8000 or emailing admin@tamarindarts.org.