Public Relations Department, Chandigarh Administration www.chdpr.gov.in PRESS NOTE Padmashri Bharati Shivaji along with her daughter Vijayalakshmi and troupe spell bound audience with their enriching performance on traditional repertoire of Mohiniyattam at Shanti Kunj Festival Chandigarh October 14:- On the second day of the Shanti Kunj Festival of Classical Music and Dance, Padmashri Bharati Shivaji, famous Mohiniyattam danseuse, along with her daughter Vijayalakshmi and troupe spell bound and mesmerized the audience with their enriching performance on traditional repertoire of Mohiniyattam at the Shanti Kunj Garden, Sector 16, here today. It was inspiring to witness the concert having rich content, technique and spirit. Mohiniyattam has played a significant role in Indian art traditions and lends itself very well to the Indian ethos. Among all the classical Indian forms, Mohiniyattam is most suited for such a creative attempt. The choreography not only adds a dimension to the existing dynamic repertoire of Mohiniyattam, but is one of the first attempts of its kind in the genre of classical Indian dance as well. The content, sequence, tonality and other aspects of the music give it an unusual richness, complexity and lyricism making it a very challenging and stimulating experience to work on. The versatility of the Mohiniyattam coupled with its alluring beauty proved to be an ethereal and enriching experience for the audience. If ever the history of Mohiniyattam is written, the contribution of Bharati Shivaji to this exquisite & graceful dance form of Kerala would certainly be a special chapter. A rare combination of performer, choreographer, author & Guru, Padmashri Smt. Bharati Shivaji's name has today become synonymous with Mohiniyattam. Her tryst with Mohiniyattam began at a time when there were no takers for this beautiful dance form. Bharati realized it's immense potential, which had been unexplored and at the behest of the late Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhayay, she undertook research in Mohiniyattam under a fellowship scheme from the Sangeet Natak Akademi. For further research, she received yet another senior fellowship, from the Dept. of Culture, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India. Mohiniyattam has come to become the cause that she has been pursuing for over three decades now. She has played a significant role in the reconstruction of the dance form, revitalizing its repertoire and expanding the parameters of its technique and idiom, which until then had remained limited. Bharati’s approach to the aesthetics of Mohiniyattam has always been in significant relation to the interdisciplinary traditions of Kerala, be it theater, music, sculpture, painting, architecture or literature. Bharati traveled extensively in Kerala thus imbibing the regional ethos & studying the Desi traditions of Kerala, interacting with several regional art forms and imbibing their characteristics. She embarked on a process of assimilating and grafting elements from various art forms in which she discerned an affinity with Lasya, the feminine spirit which constitutes the quintessence of Mohiniyattam. Bharati's research into the cultural legacy of Kerala culminated in the publication of her book 'The Art Of Mohiniyattam' , making it one of the most illuminating works on the form & spirit of Mohiyattam. She has done extensive work on the Geeta Govinda tradition in Kerala temples. Ashtapadi as it is known, have been sung in the temples of Kerala from the 14th century & Bharati being an accomplished singer herself has travelled to several temples in Kerala and documented the unique musical tradition known as Sopana . She was the first dancer to have incorporated the Geetha Govind ashtapadis in the Sopana tradition into the Mohiniyattam repertoire. Today, the Geetha Govind has become an important item in a Mohiniyattam programme. Bharati has added a new dimension to Mohiniyattam by successfully presenting innovative group choreographic productions. She is the Founder-Director of the CENTRE FOR MOHINIYATTAM , established in Delhi with a branch in Kerala, and its activities involve research, training, documentation and propagation of Mohiniyattam. Besides having performed extensively both within the country & abroad, she has also produced documentaries on Mohiniyattam for Doordarshan & Films Division. She has been conferred one of India's highest honour - the title of 'PADMASHRI' - for her tireless efforts, devotion & comittment to the cause of Mohiniyattam. For her invaluable contribution to the art of Mohiniyattam, the title of 'LASYA LAKSHMI' was conferred on her by the Kunchan Nambiar Memorial Trust, Kerala. She was honoured with the Sahitya Kala Parishad Samman by the Delhi Administration & the prestigious title 'NRITYA CHOODAMANI' conferred on her by the Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai. She was also felicitated at the Theatre De La Ville, France , by the Mayor of Paris for her one woman crusade in popularizing Mohiniyattam ensuring its place on the world map. She is also the recipient of the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contribution to Mohiniyattam. Some of the prestigious venues where Bharati Shivaji has performed include the International Edinburgh Festival . More recently, she had the unique honour of being invited to present her new choreographic work Swan Lake in the Mohiniyattam style at the Bolshoi Theatre , Moscow and the Conservatory Theatre at St.Petersburgh,Russia. The Department of Public Relations and Cultural Affairs, Chandigarh Administration has organized the 3-Day Shanti Kunj Festival of classical music, and dance which started on October 13 at Shanti Kunj Garden, Sector 16. On October 15, Misra Bandhu (Rajnish and Ritesh) sons of Rajan-Sajan Misra of Banaras Gharana will present vocal performance. The artistes were honoured by a group of visitors from Newziland. The Director Public Relations-cum-Tourism, Chandigarh Administration, Sh.Vivek Atray was also present on the occasion. .