Sampradaya: Indian Classical Dance by Sonali Skandan September 14, 2008

Jiva Performing Arts presents a solo Bharatanatyam recital by Sonali Skandan, featuring the choreography, live vocals and nattuvangam of the renowned Indian Classical Dance Master, Professor CV Chandrasekhar on September 14, 2008 at Hunter College in New York City.

Sonali will present elegant and powerful works of Bharatanatyam, which has its roots in the temples and courts of South India. Highly structured in nature, Bharatanatyam involves rhythmic footwork, elaborate mime and poses reminiscent of temple carvings. The works that she will present are signature pieces of Professor CVC’s acclaimed choreography and will display the full repertoire of Bharatanatyam, from Pushpanjali to Thillana.

Sonali is a devoted and passionate disciple of Bharatanatyam and is a student of the renowned Professor C.V. Chandrasekhar of Chennai, India and also learned the art of abhinayam from Smt. Bragha Bessel. Sonali has given solo performances at major dance festivals in the US and abroad, including the 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 in India. As an educator, she has given lecture demonstrations and workshops in museums and schools throughout the NYC area and is a professional teaching artist for many organizations. Sonali runs her institute, Jiva Performing Arts, which seeks to educate and promote the classical arts of India here in NYC.
Accompanying musicians are AR Balaskandan on mridangam and Jitendra Kishore on violin. The concert is supported in part by the Lower Manhattan Community Council and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

Official Website: http://www.sonaliskandan.com