Aug 01 2023 to Aug 01 2023 7 p.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Karuna Sagari, a dancer who nurtures an undying passion for Tamil literature, will present a Bharatanatyam presentation of Sangam Poetry (ancient Tamil poetry that dates back to two millennia). Being the evocative language that Bharatanatyam is, it foregrounds the sheer humanness of the poems which is and forever will be, alive and relevant. The Sangam anthology comprises poems of love and war that emphasise an inextricable link between external landscapes and internal states of the human mind. In today’s world, where people are slotted based on several stereotypes, Sangam poems come as a breath of fresh air since they ‘observe’ rather than ‘order’ the world around and within.

Vocal: Susha (Subiksha Rangarajan)

Nattuvangam: Rithika GM

Mridangam: Venkat Subramanian

Violin: Sayee Rakshith

Supported by: Performers Karuna Sagari

Dancer Karuna Sagari is a classical Bharatanatyam dancer who endeavours to create a lingering emotional experience rather than a fleeting aesthetic performance. For her, the art form becomes a poignant language of empathy that aims to bring people together beyond divisive boundaries. Initially trained by her mother, Dr. Neela Venkatachalam, Karuna is a Kalakshetra Alumna who previously trained under Sheejith Krishna for a decade. She is currently under the mentorship of senior dancer- choreographer, Malavika Sarukkai. She holds a Masters Degree in Tamil from Annamalai University and a Masters Degree in South Asian Studies, Heidelberg University, Germany. The inheritor of a rich oral legacy in poetry and music, Karuna Sagari received rigorous, in-depth instruction in bhakti spiritualism, poetics, and performance from her grandmother, Late. Smt. Swarna Somasundaram, an esteemed scholar of medieval Tamil literature. Karuna’s choreographic work into ancient Tamil literature have shown imagination and depth. She explores areas which are not contextually, culturally or linguistically bound to the Bharatanatyam performance space.

Subiksha Rangarajan Vocals

Susha is a captivating South Indian Carnatic musician whose artistic journey began at age six under the guidance of her grandmother and mother, Lakshmi Rangarajan. With a passion for all things beautiful, Susha’s music transcends traditional boundaries, blending enchanting Carnatic melodies with influences from Jobim, Chet Baker, Coltrane, Esperanza Spalding, and Björk. As a member of the band ‘Yodhakaa,’ she recorded an album with Think Music, touring internationally and leaving a mark in contemporary music. Susha is indebted to her gurus, peers, and mentors, including Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, TM Thiagarajan, VV Subramanian, RK Shriram Kumar, and Christine Duncan, for shaping her musical growth. Her family’s unwavering support fuels her artistic journey.

Rithika GM Nattuvangam

Rithika GM has been a disciple of Karuna Sagari since 2009. She is a dancer who has shown prodigal talent and an innate sense of rhythm and musicality. She presented her Arangetram which was the very first crowd funded arangetram in which she had the honour of having senior artist, Malavika Sarukkai as the guest of honour. She is a Yuva Shakti Awardee with the title Yuva Shakti – Ilam Sadhanaiyalar 2020 presented at Anna University.

Venkat Subramanian Mridangam

Having been introduced to performing arts from a very young age, Venkat started learning Mridangam professionally when he was thirteen, under the guidance of Shri Mylapore Ramanan and Shri K. P. Anil Kumar. He later continued his training under Dr. G. V. Guru Bharadwaj. Starting early allowed him to accumulate over 10 years of professional performing experience. He specialises not only in Mridangam but also in other percussion instruments such as the Tabla, Ghanjeera, Ghatam, Tavil, etc. Venkat also serves as a percussionist for Indosoul, a famous Indie Carnatic Rock band that released an album called “EQUILIBRIUM.” He is also a part of Veena Sri Vaani’s band and has travelled with them across India and other countries like Sri Lanka, UAE, Cambodia, Singapore, etc., for private concerts. Sayee Rakshith Violin Sayee Rakshith, a remarkable musician, embarked on his journey as a performer at the tender age of 10. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of sharing the stage with renowned Carnatic artistes, as well as collaborating with his guru Kumari A. Kanyakumari in captivating duet concerts. Sayee’s musical talents have taken him across India and abroad, where he has enthralled audiences in countries such as the USA and Singapore. Notably, he played a vital role in the esteemed “Dharti Ma” initiative by Earth Day Network, showcasing his exceptional skills alongside leading musicians from India. As a member of the band ‘Staccato’ since 2018, Sayee continually explores diverse musical genres and collaborates with esteemed artists. His versatility extends to the film industry, where he has played for renowned music directors including M.M. Keeravani, G.V. Prakash, Leon James, Girishh Gopalakrishnan, and Vishal Chandrashekhar. Under the guidance of esteemed mentors like Shri T.V. Ramani, Shri K.G. Rajesh, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Padmashree Kumari A. Kanyakumari, Shri Neyveli Ganesh, Shri A.S. Murali, and Shri Rajkumar Bharathi, Sayee has honed his skills on the violin and vocal techniques.