Feb 19 2024 to Feb 19 2024 7 p.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Roots, a work in Bharatanatyam, is conceptualized and choreographed by Chitra Chandrasekhar Dasarathy and performed by Ameya Repertory from Bangalore A chance encounter with the exposed roots of a large tree on the slopes of Nilgiri Hills triggered a thought! The visual was stunning. One could only gaze at it in wonder – the intricacy of design, the inherent power, growing resolutely along a hilly slope supporting a mammoth tree! Over time, this visual became the seed for a story to evolve, an imagination to take root – of life below the surface. Often, what is not visible or obvious is not in the realm of our active thoughts. This work seeks to imagine a story of the Root where it is not just a place of return or of belonging but an entire assemblage pulsating with life, growth, ideas, thoughts, striving and much more. For the choreographer and the dancers, roots become a metaphor for who we are, how we engage with the world around us, and what ways we find to struggle, survive, and live with contentment. We draw, assimilate, internalize, and spread the Sap of Life, just as the root does. The root is us, looking at ourselves . . . Performers Chitra Chandrasekhar Dasarathy Dancer & Artistic Director, Ameya Repertory Chitra Chandrasekhar Dasarathy has travelled long in her pursuit of expression and excellence. Her dance gives expression to her aesthetic sensibility as an artist of our time. Chitra holds Master’s degrees in Performing Arts (Dance) and Sanskrit from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Chitra’s training in Bharatanatyam began from a very early age with her parents Prof CV Chandrasekhar and Jaya Chandrasekhar. Her involvement with other creative modes of expression like music and literature gives her dance and choreography a wider perspective. Her choreographic works apart from the traditional repertoire of Bharatanatyam include solos such as Samvada, Hathor and I, Dhvanya, Geetagovinda, Kunti, Saumanasa, The Flowering Tree and Raktamallika-Why Is The Jasmine Red. Her recent ensemble works include Apara and Roots. Chitra has taught dance at the Central University, Hyderabad and Azim Premji University in Bangalore. Chitra along with her Ameya Repertory performs regularly. Gargi Shroff Dancer Gargi Shroff, an Environmental Engineer by training with a M.Tech degree from MS University, Vadodara learnt Bharatanatyam in Vadodara in her earlier years but later took the decision (seven years ago) to further pursue her passion for dance under the mentorship and guidance of Chitra Chandrasekhar Dasarathy. She is now a full-time Classical dancer and performs as part of Ameya Repertory. She also runs her own dance academy Natarajasana in Whitefield, Bengaluru. Roopa Guha Dancer Roopa Guha completed a part-time Diploma in Bharatanatyam at Kalakshetra, College of Fine Arts, Chennai, where she underwent training under many doyens of the art form. She has also completed a post-graduate degree in Bharatanatyam from Sastra university, Thanjavur. She has trained over a decade under Chitra Chandrashekhar Dasarathy, whose mentoring has further enriched her perspective and approach to dancing. With a performing and teaching career spanning over two decades, Roopa has featured in many solo as well as dance productions both in India and abroad choreographed by artistes in the field such as Prof. CV Chandrashekhar, Sheejith Krishna and many others. She continues to perform with the Ameya Repertory headed by Chitra Dasarathy. Sreejaya Nair Dancer Sreejaya Nair, began dancing Bharatanatyam at the age of four, under the tutelage of Smt Kalamandalam Sumathi for about ten years. She later completed her Diploma in Dance at the Kerala Kalamandalam, training in Mohiniattam and Kuchipudi. For the past fifteen years now, Sreejaya has been under the guidance of Chitra Chandrasekhar Dasarathy. Sreejaya is also a film actress, having done many movies and television serials. As part of the Malayalam Film Industry, Sreejaya has toured around the world for performances, bringing the best of the two worlds together. Supriya Auradkar Dancer Supriya Auradkar, a Masters graduate in performing arts (Bharatanatyam) from the University of Pune, has been learning, teaching and performing Bharatanatyam for more than two decades. Having learnt under various Bharatanatyam Gurus over the years, she presently learns and performs with Chitra Chandrasekhar Dasarathy. Swetha Vivek Dancer Swetha Vivek received training from Gurus – Shri Adyar K Lakshman, Smt Nagamani Srinivasa Rao, Smt Kalanidhi Narayanan and Shri Balagopalan. Now settled in Bangalore, Swetha continues her learning under Chitra Chandrasekhar Dasarathy, is an A graded artiste of Doordarshan, Chennai and is a passionate teacher of dance. Swetha is also a Certified Public Accountant and a freelance Academic Consultant. Tony Pius Dancer Tony Pius a practicing medical doctor, had his initial training in Bharatanatyam under Guru Sita. He is a presently a disciple of Chitra Chandrasekhar Dasarathy and is a member of the Ameya Repertory. Tony has a Diploma in Movement Art and Mixed Media from the internationally acclaimed Attakkalari Dance Company, a Diploma in Bharatanatyam from Alliance University and a Masters in Fine Arts from Sastra University. B Charles Tech Director & Light Designer B Charles is a multi-faceted technician based in Chennai, India, who is equally adept at lighting design. He is a META-nominee lighting designer, with fourteen years experience in working with Indian classical & contemporary dance, theatre and standup specials within India and abroad.