Torch CONTENTS Bearers 08 Cover Uma Sharma: Married to Dance 16 Story Cultural Budget Cultural 2017-18 Bulletin 28 Beacons 06 of Light Seetha Nagajothy: A Kuchipudi Teacher of Rays 34 Brilliance of Hope Sandip Soparrkar: Reviews A Dancing Genius • MMA Festival 2017 Scholarly • Tarang Ratna 2017 Frozen • TSR Awards (Bhagiratha Vilasam) Corner in-Time • Natyanjali Mumbai The Dilemma of Dance Education 58 6246 42 Reports Gostha Kindled Mumbai • Master Class by Birju Maharaj Goa Spirits • 27th Anniversary Celebrations Vrunda • Purush Kolkata 54 Upadhyay56 • Design 14 - Nrtihya Yog 50 Beyond Borders In Sight Tributes Bond of the Arts Across Borders (Spain) 60 64 63 ‘The Dance India’- a monthly cultural magazine in "If the art is poor, English is our humble attempt to capture the spirit and culture of art in all its diversity. the nation is sick." Editor-in-Chief Coordinators BR Vikram Kumar (News, Advertisements & Subscriptions) Executive Editor Sai Venkatesh, Karnataka Paul Spurgeon Nicodemus Kashmira Trivedi, Thane Editorial Advisor Alaknanda, Noida B Ratan Raju Lakshmi Thomas, Chennai Contributions by Gayathri Gopi, Vellore Padma Shri Sunil Kothari (Cultural Critic) Parinithi Gopal, Sagar Avinash Pasricha (Photographer) Sinam Basu Singh, Manipur Administration Manager Anurekha Gosh, Kolkata KV Lakshmi GV Chari, New Delhi Circulation Manager Dr. Kshithija Barve, Goa and Kolhapur V Srinivas Technical Advise and Graphic Design International Coordinators Haimanti Basu, Tennessee Mallika Jayanti, Nebrasaka Articles may be submitted for possible publication in the magazine in the following manner. • Send in your articles to [email protected]. Please include your full name, contact information (address and telephone number) and a short bio data. • Articles are published in the magazine only on the condition that the author agrees to the terms of the Copyright Statement and Policy Regd. Office: Trivikram Publications, D.No. 50-01-50/1, ASR Nagar, Seethammadhara, Visakhapatnam - 530 013, A.P. Tel: 0891-2525656 The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various writers in the articles and reviews do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the editorial team or official policies of The Dance India. All rights reserved. © March 2017 - The contents published in The Dance India magazine are an exclusive copyright of Trivikram Publications. No part of the magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written consent of Trivikram Publications. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts in Visakhapatnam only. Edited, Published and Owned by Bathina Ranga Vikram Kumar, Mobile No. +91-9848137445, on behalf of Trivikram Publications from D.No. 50-01-50/1, ASR Nagar, Seethammadhara, Dist. Visakhapatnam - 530 013, A.P. and Printed by K. Ram Naidu, Vizag Art Printers, D.No. 30-5-21, Krishna Gardens, Dabagardens, Visakhapatnam - 530 020, A.P. Editor: Bathina Ranga Vikram Kumar THE DANCE INDIA | MARCH 2017 | 4 'Lokah'Lokah SamasthaSamastha SukhinoSukhino Bhavanthu'Bhavanthu' For peace and harmony to prevail, politicians Editor’s Note ... and leaders should have a healthy approach towards their subjects and govern according to the principles of dharma. In the present global scenario, human kind should center their lives on this sloka. In the ancient days, on the request of Devendra, Trimurti created Natyam (dance) to stop the pandemonium and violence of demons. Goddesses with their dance brought about change in the minds of the demons. The author of Natya Shastra, Bharata Muni made it clear that Natyam would be an everlasting treasure and it would be useful for bringing order in the establishment. In a recent instance, some people in the United States of America created a divide by attacking and killing people of Indian origin and other countries. It is the need of the hour to stop such heinous acts of violence on fellow human beings. Natyam could be the solution for dealing with the present situation. Every Indian classical artiste should work towards eradicating hatred and racism based on the language, skin colour, faith, gender, creed, and class with their cultural performances. The Dance India under these difficult times urges all the Indian artistes who have settled in America to perform and work towards achieving peace and harmony wherever they are located. It is our responsibility to safeguard the region. Showcasing the philosophy of Karma, we hope you are able to wean away people from disharmony and violence. The sloka is an invocation for harmony and blessings for all part of the creation! The most important aspect of the mantra is that the sage does not pray only for his clan or nation but for the whole world. Peace, peace, and peace be everywhere! Jai Hind BR Vikram Kumar THE DANCE INDIA | MARCH 2017 | 5 Earlier, the ministry of tourism had also launched 24x7 tourist helpline 1800111363 in twelve foreign languages so that the foreign tourists can get required information in their own language. The minister presented the first kit containing a SIM to a representative of the travel and tourism sector. Vinod Zutshi, secretary of ministry of tourism, JS Deepak, secretary of ministry of communications and senior officers were present. Pre-Loaded Sim This initiative has been launched in association with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL). This facility will be Card for Tourists initially available at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3 terminal), New Delhi and later cover the remaining 15 international airports, where e-Visa facility Arriving In India on is currently available. E-Visa Launched YATRA Registration for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra 2017 egistration for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra organized by Ministry of External RAffairs has commenced on 1 February 2017. This year the Yatra is scheduled during the period 12 June to 8 September through two routes - Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim). Applicants for this Yatra must be at least 18 years and not more than 70 years on 1 January 2017 to be eligible to apply for this Yatra. Last date for registration is 15 March r. Mahesh Sharma, minister of state 2017. (independent charge) for tourism and culture, Keeping in line with Government of India's push Dlaunched the initiative of the ministry of tourism, for digital mode of interaction with the public, Government of India on February 15 for providing pre- registration for this Yatra on the website http:// loaded SIM card to foreign tourists arriving in India on kmy.gov.in is a fully online process. Applicants e-visa. On the occasion he said this unique initiative can also get information, and track the status of would facilitate foreign tourists in communicating with their application through interactive helpline No: their acquaintances immediately on arrival in India. 011-24300655. THE DANCE INDIA | MARCH 2017 | 6 M oU Tripartite MoU for Implementation of Tourism Projects In Jammu & Kashmir tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) for implementation of tourism projects in Jammu and Kashmir was signed among Aministry of tourism, M/S NPCC & NBCC and Government of Jammu and Kashmir here today. The MoU was signed in the presence of Vinod Zutshi, secretary, M/o tourism. Signatories for the MoU included Suman Billa, joint secretary, ministry of tourism; Shamim Ahmad Wani, managing director, J&K Cable Car Corporation; KK Sharma, executive director, M/s NPCC and Alok Rastogi, chief general manager (BD), M/s NBCC. The Prime Minister announced the development package (reconstruction plan) for Jammu and Kashmir on November 7, 2015. The details of all proposals included in the development package for tourism are as under: S.No. Projects Proposed Central Assistance(Rs.Crore) New Initiative 1 Development of Tourism in the State (Rs.400 cr for 5 years) - New Projects 2000 2 Construction of Govt. Tourist assets in lieu of damaged/ destroyed assets 100 Total 2100 Ongoing and Existing Projects - Budget required PMRP 2004 3 (i) 12 Development Authorities, 3 Circuits, Setting up of 50 Tourist villages proposed under PMRP 2004 and 81.85 (ii)Conservation of Wular Lake 59.15 The ministry of tourism under the new initiative - Development of Tourism in the State- New Projects - has sanctioned following projects to M/s NPCC and NBCC in J&K for implementation in September 2017: · Integrated development of tourist facilities at Gulmarg - Baramulla - Kupwara - Leh to M/s NBCC for Rs 96.92 crore · Integrated development of tourist facilities at Mantalai - Sudhmahadev - Patnitop in Jammu & Kashmir to M/s NPCC for Rs 97.82 crore Major components sanctioned under the projects are yoga centre, wellness spa, log huts, heliports, open air theatre, walking trail, landscaping, solar lighting, solid waste management and public amenities etc. Source: PIB THE DANCE INDIA | MARCH 2017 | 7 assion for art when cultivated with Uma Sharma's family originally hails from Dholpur in perseverance reaches a zenith and develops Rajasthan. She was born on November 20, 1942 in Pa unique worldview. Uma Sharma, who was Delhi and grew up in the same city. Right from her my born and brought up in Delhi, dedicated her life to childhood she has been fond of dance. Her parents Indian classical dance. She has revolutionised the didn't mind her interest in arts but they wanted her to repertoire of Kathak with her interpretation of the study as well. She continued her studies and works of great poets from ancient and modern times. simultaneously pursued dance. She started dancing She creatively fused the experience gained under when she was about 8 years old. She believes that gurus from different gharanas, searched for the roots she was born to dance. "I'm passionately in love with of the dance form and made 'abhinaya' her forte. dance," says Uma. Recognising her contribution towards art and culture Her parents always encouraged her to pursue music the Government of India awarded her the Padma and dance.