'2nd Hand Jam' - Mr. Woodnote & Lil Rhys feat. Jimvincible (Bass) - Film by Shaaze Merchant

By Shaaze Merchant

Pandit Nikhil Banerjee - Raag Malkauns

Rahul Sharma & Pandit Shivkumar Sharma - Santoor

Chennai, India Streets

Odissi é uma forma de dança classica originária do estado de Orissa, leste da India

Fotos capturadas por Ratheesh Sundaran no Soorya Odissi Fest, Jan 5 to 9 2012 - no Hall do Salão Municipal de Trivandrum, Kerala

Odissi is one of the eight classical dance forms of India. It originates from the state of Orissa, in eastern India. It is the oldest surviving dance form of India on the basis of archaeological evidences

Based on Natya Shastra, Odissi is regarded as one of the oldest surviving dance forms of India, with well preserved archaeological evidence. It has originated from Orissa and its history can be traced back to the 2nd century BC. The dance form has been extensively depicted in the sculptures of Brahmeswara temple and Sun Temple at Konark. Kelucharan Mohapatra, an erstwhile Goti Pua, is the greatest exponent and guru of Odissi. Some of the other exponents of this dance form are Indrani Rehman, Sonal Mansingh, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Protima Gauri Bedi, Madhavi Mudgal, Guru Mayadhar Raut, Guru Deva Prasad Das and Guru Durga Charan Das.

History
The form of Odissi that exists today is the result of a long process of renovation from various dance traditions of Orissa, which includes the Maharis, the Goti puas and the Bhandanritya traditions. Maharis were the counterparts of the Devadasis of the South, who danced in temples. Goti puas were men, who dressed as female dancers and danced like the Maharis. These artistes were not allowed to dance in temples after reaching adulthood. After 17th century, the popularity of Odissi declined largely, because dancers came to be considered as shameless creatures. Thus, there was no one ready to learn the dance form.

With the passing time and the modernization of the thinking of the Indian society, Odissi was brought back to the attention of the public and started gaining back the lost popularity. Kalicharan Pattanayaka is accredited with the revival of Odissi. He presented the Odissi artists to perform on stage and motivated others to follow the suit. In the 1950s, the entire dance form was revitalized by Abhinaya Chandrika, by taking assistance from the sculpted dance poses that already existed in temples.

Theme & Performance
Odissi is similar to Bharatnatyam in terms of the mudras and expressions used in the performance. The 'Tribhang' or the division of the body into three parts, including head, bust and torso, is one of the highlighting features of Odissi. The performances are replete with lores of the eighth incarnation of Vishnu and his avatar of Lord Krishna. It is a soft dance backed by soothing lyrics. Through the performance, the Odissi artist personifies the ambience of Orissa and the philosophy of its most popular deity - Lord Jagannath.

Apart from the depiction of Lord Jagannath, the artist also narrates the stories of Lord Krishna, through his/her performance that includes mudras and rasas. The verses of the Sanskrit play Geet Govinda are also incorporated into the performance, in order to depict the love and devotion to God. Dashavataar, the depiction of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, is a popular performance of Odissi. The Odissi dancers use their head, bust and torso in soft flowing movements to express specific moods and emotions.

This photos are from Soorya Odissi Fest Jan 5 to 9 2012
Muncipality Hall ,Trivandrum, Kerala, India

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw2U-Ms1X9Y

a Short video clip

Padaveeran Theyyam by Ratheesh Sundaram, Kerala

Theyyam (Malayalam: തെയ്യം‍) or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area (consisting of present-day Kasargod, Kannur Districts, Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad and Vadakara & Koyilandy Taluks of Kozhikode of Kerala state. As a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs, it embraces almost all the castes and classes of the Hindu religion in this region. The performers of Theyyam belong to the lower class community, and have an important position in Theyyam.
The term Theyyam is a corrupt form of Devam or God. People of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a God and they seek blessings from this TheyyaPadaveeran Theyyam is one
among various forms of theyyam

{in the fourth and fifth pic you can see the sacrificial ritual which offered to god (hen)}

(na pic quarta e quinta você pode ver o ritual de sacrifício que se oferecia a Deus (galinha))

Kathakali-KIRMEERA VADHAM, by Ratheesh Sundaram

Kathakali-KIRMEERA VADHAM

This is a story taken from the "Vanaparvam" of Mahabharatha. It is written by the great Attakkatha composer, Kottayam Tampuran.
Immediately after Pandavas were sent to Forest by Duryodhana (so the sory starts in the middle of Duryodhanavadham), Dharmaputhra and Panchali were thinking of how to feed the Brahmins who followed them to the jungle. So they decided to see "Showmya Muni" (not sure the exact name). The sage sugested them to pray Lord Surya (Lord Sun). Upon their pray, Lord Surya is coming in front of them and presented them "Akshaya parthra" with the condition that this special vessel will be full of food until Panchali is taking food. One day, Sree Krishna came there and seeing the difficulties faced by Pandavas, He became angry and thought "Sree Chakram" to kill all Kouravas. "Sudarshana Chakram " will appear in front of Him. But then Dharmaputhra will stop Sree Krishna from doing this action.
Duryodhana came to know about the "Akshayapathra labham" of Pandavas. So he decied to send Sage Durvasav and his 10000 diciples to the place of Pandavas just when Panchali finishes her lunch. So dharmaputhra will request them to take bath and come back for the lunch. Then Panchali will pray to Lord Krishna and Lord will immediately appear in front of her tlling that He is very hungry and he will get a single rice from the "Akshayapathra" and Lord will eat that rice. Immediately sage and his disciples will feel that their stcmach is full while they are taking bath. So they will bless Pandavas from near the river itself and will go back from there.
One day, the sister of Kirmeera (Simhika) will come near Panchali in the form of a beautiful woman when Pandavas are not present there and will start talking each other. Slowly she will take Panchali to the inner forest. After some time, Panchali will tell that she wants to go back. Then the Lalitha will take her real form and will tell that she will eat Panchali then. Hearing the crying of Panchali Sahadevan will come with a sword and will break Simhika's ear,nose, breast etc. She will run away from there towards and Kirmeera will become angry uopn knowing this incident. He will fight with Sahadeva and will caught him. Then our Bheema will come there and he will kill Kirmeera in a fight.
Ususally in most stages the scene "Lalitha and Panchali" is used to play nowadays. This is a story where "Ninam" is also present. ("Ninam" will be coming near Kirmeeran). Also the crown for Lord Surya will contain some additions to indicate the rays coming out of Him. Sudarshana Chakram has special make-up on the face to reflect the charector. Also there will be "Panthams" on both hands of Sudarshana Chakram.
= Kathakali promoted by Drisya Vedhi, Thiruvananthapuram on December 29


By Ratheesh Sundaram

Mumbai Mirror I AM MUMBAI TVC

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Chimmanakali - A Folk Drama Art Form of North Kerala by Ratheesh Sundaram

Chimmanakali’ is a folk drama. ‘Chimmanakali’ is usually full of humour and dialogues. The meaning given to the word ‘Chimmana’ is ‘fun’. In ‘Chimmanakali’ current as well as day-to-day affairs come to the center stage. The inequalities and antisocial elements that prevail in the society come under harsh criticism in ‘Chimmanakali’. The members of ‘Pulaya’ (Low Caste)community usually render it .The songs sung for ‘Chimmanakali’ are also called ‘Chothiyum Pidiyum Pattum’.Thudi is the percussion instrument used with chimmanakali

-Performed by Kumaran and Party- Maatool Kannur District

This performance is from Trivandrum Book Fesival (27-12-2011) Sanskrit College ,Trivandrum ,Kerala, India

Chimmanakali "é um drama popular, geralmente cheio de humor e diálogos. O significado atribuído a 'Chimmana' é a palavra 'diversão'. Em 'Chimmanakali' atual, bem como os assuntos do dia-a-dia, vêm ao centro do palco. As desigualdades e elementos anti-sociais que prevalecem na sociedade sob duras críticas em 'Chimmanakali'. Os membros do 'Pulaya' (casta inferior) comunidade costumam traduzi-lo. As músicas cantadas por 'Chimmanakali "também são chamados de' Chothiyum Pidiyum Pattum. Thudi é o instrumento de percussão usado com chimmanakali. -Interpretada por Kumaran e Partido-Maatool Kannur Distrito(27-12-2011) Sanskrit College, Trivandrum, Kerala, India

Photos e texto em ingles by Ratheesh Sundaram

Tradução para o Portugues com a ajuda do google by Elza Cohen