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Explore a form of storytelling and movement that has its roots in India 2000 years ago, with Bharatanatyam, a form of classical dance. Participants will connect with their bodies as they explore the theatrical principle of rasa, literally ‘flavor’, or emotion. They will also explore the deeply mathematical nature of Indian traditional art forms. The mythos and praxis they study will be informed by the artifacts and exhibits in the India gallery. Bharatanatyam is a sacred form of movement grounded in a deep respect for the earth, so participants will be asked to remove their shoes. Students are asked to come in comfortable clothing. No prior movement experience is required and participants at all mobility levels and ages are welcome.
Registration for this class closes on Nov. 1.
The instructor, Janani Lakshmanan, has trained in Bharatanatyam for over twenty years. She is a student and instructor with Sampradaya Dance of India (Chandler, Arizona, dir. Nita Mallya). She has been invited to organize, write, co-direct, and perform at events promoting the welfare of underprivileged communities in India and has led workshops and performed at venues around the world. Janani was recognized by the Government of India’s cultural arts bureau, Doordarshan, with a Professional Artist’s Grading in March 2019.
Janani is a founding member of Aloha Natyam, a group of Bharatanatyam dancers keen on respectfully exchanging knowledge and traditional practice with the communities of Hawai‘i. She currently teaches Bharatanatyam dance to children here on O‘ahu. Janani is currently a doctoral candidate in the Mathematics program at University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
