On Monday, May 23, 2022, from 6 pm at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Auckland
Venkat Raman
Auckland, May 16, 2022
More than 120 performers, representing the five states of South India are currently rehearsing to showcase their culture of dance and music, while scores of others are putting together a Programme that will eulogise and display the culture, culinary art, heritage, costumes and colours.
Indian High Commission in Wellington is presenting the Second Annual Indian Newslink Festivals of South India along with the newly formed Federation of South Indian Associations New Zealand and commercial undertakings as sponsors.
The excitement is shared by Mana Andhra Telugu Association New Zealand, Telangana Association of New Zealand, Auckland Tamil Association, Auckland Malayali Samajam and the New Zealand Kannada Koota as Support Sponsors. The event will be held on Monday, May 23, 2022, at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 145, New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland.
Masters of Ceremonies
Sreekala Srihari and Karthick C are the two main Masters of Ceremonies while each of the States represented by regional associations will have its own Master of Ceremonies.
Aishwarya Koka has provided voice over for a couple of items and she will be ably supported in the State segments by Harika Garikipati (Andhra), Sheethal Allam (Telangana), Aswini Swaminathan and Jennifer Vijayalaxmi (Tamil Nadu), Juliya Sabu (Kerala) and Vijayashree Bhat and Adhvika Agastya (Karnataka).
Kumuda Setty is choreographing and directing a special item as the Finale, incorporating one of the most interesting aspects of South India.
We have determinedly retained the traditional aspect of music and dance, for they are the true forms of performing arts that have sustained for centuries, inspiring many of our young people to practice them. We salute parents, teachers and elders in our communities for conscientiously encouraging children to learn these forms of arts, practice and present them on stage.
Festivals of South India would be a tribute to their patronage.
Anuradha School of Indian Dances
For the past 25 years, hundreds of students from various ethnic communities have learnt Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Mohini Attam and other forms of Indian classical dances from Anuradha Ramkumar whose proficiency in choreography, production and direction created professionals out of beginners. Every student at the Anuradha School of Indian Dances undergoes a structured programme of watching, listening and practising the various nuances of various dance forms.
Fifteen of her students including Abhishek, Sushma, Salomia, Kavya, Bharthi, Heeral, Anjali, Iniyaa, Divya, Srija, Nandini, Hananya, Rithika, Eesha and Avanthika will present the opening number called, ‘Chaturbhandi,’ which incorporates Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi and Mohini Attam that are practised in the five South Indian States. Ms Ramkumar has chosen compositions in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages and they represent a unity of core ideas in a diversity of styles, costumes and expressions, thus integrating all the South Indian cultures.
Rhythm Dance Academy
Aishwarya Koka and Bhargavi Matta, Directors of the Auckland based Rhythm Dance Academy will present the folk dances of South India as the second main item, Titled, ‘The Dawn of the New Era,’ this number will comprise music and dance performed in the five South Indian States to usher in the New Year. Despite differences in language, South Indians mark the dawn of their New Year almost around the same time in April every year.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has been the seat of music and dance since Tamil is stated to be the oldest language in the world and many Emperors and Dynasties promoted art in its varied forms. Members and performers of the Association will present ‘Shiva Thandavam’ (by Thanve Senthil Vel and Dharshana Ponnambalam) and ‘Mayil Attam’ (Peacock Dance) by Lakshika Sivanesan, Vithushika Sivasesan and Kavya Gajendran.
Andhra Pradesh
Dance, Drama and Music were a part of life in Andhra Pradesh from the Satavahana times (1st Century). Ancient Temple sculptures provide extensive examples of the dance prevalent in those times and earlier.
Kuchipudi is a dance style of Andhra origin, deriving its name from Kuchipudi Village in Krishan District. The village was gifted by Abul Hasan Tanashah to the Brahmin community who were practising the art as their family profession for generations. Siddhender Yogi was the father of this dance style. His Bhamakalapam used to be a show of music and dance filled with occasional humour, attracting thousands of people.
Mana Andhra Telugu Association New Zealand is presenting a Kuchipudi number by Harika Garikipati who will also present a folk dance by her group in the second segment.
Telangana
Telangana has a cultural history of more than 5000 years.
Telangana Association of New Zealand will present ‘The Warriors of Telangana’ incorporating freedom fighters and people of lore. Produced and Choreographed by Aishwarya Koka of Rhythm Dance Academy), this sequence will pay tributes to the heroes of valour. Among the participants are Sheethal Naidu Allam (Rudrama Devi), Narendra Reddy Patlola (Bammera Pothana), Lavanya Komal (Chakali Ailamma), Kranthi Kumar (Osman Ali Khan), Chandu Koduri (Komaram Bheem), Raj Kumar Reddy Loka Gummadi Vittal Rao), Vishwanath Savadi Avity (A Warrior King), Ganesh Gaddam (In praise of the Warriors), Mithila Panuganti, Keeru Rangu.
The second item from the Association will feature the Festivals of Telangana.
Kerala
For over a thousand years, Performing Arts have been developed in Kerala, with its own brand of traditional music instruments, some of which are becoming rare.
Kathakali is one of the most significant contributions of Keralites to the worldwide stage, for the dancer/s, with extensive and unique makeup that takes several hours, to narrate stories from epics. We hope to present Kathakali sometime in the future in Auckland.
Among the other popular forms of art are Koodiyattam’ which has earned the status of UNESCO Heritage. Kummattikali, Kannyarkali, Thullal, Thirayattam, Padayani and Theyyam are also popular, although they are not performed in many places.
Auckland Malayali Samajam has brought together many artistes to perform at the Festivals of South India. Dr Dhanya Jayaraj and her students will perform Mohiniattam in the first segment and members of the Samajam will present ‘Oppana’ in the second segment.
Karnataka
Karnataka is famous for its traditional and cultural forms of performing arts including dance, music, folklore, Broadway and other forms of expression.
It is also the only State in which Carnatic and Hindustani Music flourish.
Vijayashree Bhat will present a Bharata Natyam item, while members of the New Zealand Kannada Koota will present a group dance.
Ticket Details
Tickets for the Programme, priced at $34.50 per person and tables seating ten persons each at $345 (including GST) are now available with the officials of the Associations.
For further information, please call 021-836528 or Email: venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
