P 2 | JANUARYDECEMBER 2018 2017 Contents Volume 2, Issue 7 | January 2018 Editorial Team 04 Cover Story 22 Reviews 46 The Empowering Dance Glorified in Andhra's Editor’s Note 05 Monk of India : Alpha City : Amaravati Swami Vivekananda Nrithyotsav 2017 Cultural Bulletin 06 Awards 10 Torch Bearers 12 An Astute Advocate of Theatre Arts : MK Raina Beacons of Light 38 Reports 54 A Vision for the Envisioned : Dr. SuparnaVenkatesh Dance in India 18 MANIPURI Rays of Hope 42 Kutiyattam gives a significance to his life : Ramith Ramesh In Sight 64 Classifieds 65 P 3 | JANUARYDECEMBER 2018 2017 Editorial ‘The Dance India’- a monthly cultural magazine in English is our humble "If the art is poor, attempt to capture the spirit and culture of art in all its diversity. the nation is sick." Articles may be submitted for possible Editor-in-Chief publication in the magazine in the following BR Vikram Kumar manner. Associate Editor • Send in your articles to [email protected] RMK Sharma Please include your full name, contact information (address and telephone Sub Editor’s number) and a short bio data. D Praveena • Articles are published in the magazine only Sandhya Parimala V on the condition that the author agrees to the terms of the Copyright Statement and Policy Feature Writer Ch Nikhitha Regd. Office: Trivikram Publications, Administration Manager D.No. 50-01-50/1, ASR Nagar, Seethammadhara, KV Lakshmi Coordinators Visakhapatnam - 530 013, A.P. (News, Advertisements & Tel: +91 8897987445 Communications Incharge Subscriptions) The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various writers in the articles and K Bhanoji Rao Sai Venkatesh Karnataka reviews do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the editorial team or Circulation Manager Kashmira Trivedi Maharashtra official policies of The Dance India. All rights reserved. © January 2018 - V. Srinivas Alaknanda Noida The contents published in The Dance India magazine are an exclusive copyright of Lakshmi Thomas Chennai Trivikram Publications. No part of the magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without Parinithi Gopal Sagar the written consent of Trivikram Publications. Girija Chandran Kerala All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts in GV Chari New Delhi Visakhapatnam only. Dr. Kshithija Barve Goa and Kolhapur Edited, Published and Owned by Anand Sharma Bathina Ranga Vikram Kumar, Mobile No. +91-9848137445, on behalf of Pathankot (Punjab) Trivikram Publications from D.No. 50-01-50/1, ASR Nagar, Seethammadhara, Dist. Visakhapatnam - 530 013, A.P. and Technical Advise and Graphic Design Printed by G. Sangameswara Rao Follow us on Sri Lekha Power printers D. No : 30-20-30 &31, Nehuru Sreet Seetarampuram, Elluru Road Vijayawada (AndhraPradesh) thedanceindiamagazine Editor: Bathina Ranga Vikram Kumar P 4 | JANUARYDECEMBER 2018 2017 “A Drift of Art, Cultural & Heritage of India” "Bharath is not as people keep calling it as an underdeveloped country". In this context, its history and cultural heritage prove that it is a highly developed one but at the same time it is in the advanced state of decay. Now at this point of time we are going into a negative way. Is smart cities' culture is going to kill our traditional and heritage art forms? BR Vikram Kumar, If contacted, even artists would agree to it because it is Editor-in-Chief. being noticed that getting carried away with the so called terminology of smart cities, all government sectors are conducting events. They tend to forget in giving platform to our traditions and classical art forms. For the last few years, various government departments such as Cultural and Tourism departments are conducting several events by spending crores of rupees in the name of promoting it. But from a common man's point of view, the question is about what is the use of organizing such a high cost foreign cultural events? It is only the mere wastage of tax, payer's hard earned money and fulfilling the vested interests of few individuals/event management companies! Still we lack in protecting and promoting our heritage and tourism monuments. Swachh Bharath, Make in India, etc... Were some of the popular initiatives which were taken by the present government. When coming to the practicality or ground reality where does the so called "Swachh Samskruthi" or Art forms stand in India? Season's greetings to all the Readers, Well-Wishers, Art lovers and Fellow Countrymen. Editor’s Note Editor’s P 5 | JANUARYDECEMBER 2018 2017 Source from PIB The Supreme Commander of Armed Forces presented the President's Colour to the Submarine Arm of the Indian Navy he President of India - Ram Nath Kovind, presented the President's Colour to the TSubmarine Arm of the Indian Navy during his two-day visit in Vishakhapatnam. Speaking on the occasion, the President of India - Ram Nath Kovind said, that our maritime interests are directly linked to India's economy, security and to the welfare of our people. Over 90 per cent of India's trade by volume uses the sea route. This enhances the role of the Indian Navy, not just in national security but in the wider process of nation building. The Navy is India's primary instrument of sea power. It is also the guardian of our maritime interests, both military and civilian. He further said that, the sea is an unforgiving medium for those who do not respect it. No one knows this better than the valiant submariners of the Indian Navy who operate their boats and perform their duties beneath the waves. All of them carry out their professional responsibilities with great skill and at grave risk. The nation is proud of their achievements and appreciates their contribution to national security. The colour was being presented to the Submarine Arm of the Indian Navy, in recognition of incredible service to the nation, in peace and war for the past 50 years. President Kovind congratulated the submariners on this achievement and paid homage to those Indian Navy submariners who have laid down their lives in the The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind service of India, acknowledging the sacrifice of the presenting President's Colour to the families of submariners both past and present. Submarine Arm of the Indian Navy, at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on This was ccording to PIB. 08-12-2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lamba is also seen. P 6 | JANUARY 2018 CULTURAL BULLETIN President of India launches the Center for Defence Studies at Andhra University he President of India - Ram Nath Kovind, visited the Andhra University in TVisakhapatnam and inaugurated the Centre for Defence Studies. He also laid the foundation stone for the E-Classroom Complex and Incubation Centre. Speaking on the occasion, the President of India stated that it is impeccable to know that Andhra University, in particular it's College of Engineering is progressively engaged in R&D projects with the defence institutions. He noted that, the Centre for The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind unveiling the plaque to lay foundation stone of Defence Studies will focus on cyber security, the E-classroom Complex and Incubation centre nanotechnology, radar and communications, at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on 07-12- 2017. The Governer of Andhra Pradesh and corrosion technology and other technologies that Telangana, ESL.Narsimham, Union Minister for have strategic dimensions. Civil Aviation, Pasupati Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nara The President also stated that professors and Chandrababu Naidu is also seen. researchers from the Andhra University are collaborating on specific projects with DRDO, as his happiness on becoming aware of the statistic of well as with the Naval Research Board and other 40% of the students being girls at the Andhra institutions. Professors from Andhra University have University. He expressed optimism, that the been employed as R&D consultants for missile inauguration of the E-Classroom and Laboratory projects, including in the development of the Complex at the Andhra University College of Brahmos missile. Additionally, intellect expertise Engineering for Women will enhance our country's from this University has been sought by the Eastern capacities to produce high-quality women engineers Naval Command, headquartered in and technologists. Vishakhapatnam, for civil engineering structural The President stated that, "a true test of India's applications and corrosion related issues. progress is in the access and opportunity, He added that research related to defence and we provide our daughters when it comes to military applications and technologies will have education" He pointed out that some of our leading numerous benefits for our country. It will act as a defence and space scientists - who have powered stimulant to the effort to 'Make in India'. And as our missile programs and rocket launches - are experience in other countries has shown, research women. He also mentioned the event of taking in defence technologies can also lead to innovations privilege in felicitating the senior DRDO scientist, that have diverse civilian applications. Dr Tessy Thomas, known as the "Missile Woman The President further said that the overall gender of India", earlier this week in Agra. On a concluding imbalance in our scientific and technological note, he appealed that; women achievers like her are institutions continues to be a concern. He articulated role models for our youth, particularly for our girl students in India. P 7 | JANUARY 2018 14.4% growth recorded in FTAs in November, 2017 By: Sanjay Kumar ccording to the Ministry of Tourism's compiled compared to FTAs of 77.83 lakh with a growth of 9.4% monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals in January- November, 2016 over January- November, A(FTAs) and FTAs of e-Tourist Visa on the basis 2015. of nationality-wise, port-wise, data received from Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) on e-Tourist Bureau of Immigration (BOI) has recorded a growth of Visa 14.4% in the month of November 2017.