Nataraj Center for Arts of India

Our mission is to promote an appreciation and understanding of the arts of India.

Nataraj, the dancing form of Lord Shiva, is a symbolic synthesis of the most important aspects of Hinduism. The term 'Nataraj' means 'King of Dancers' (Sanskrit nata = dance; raja = king). "…a more fluid and energetic representation of a moving figure than the dancing figure of Shiva can scarcely be found anywhere," (The Dance of Shiva, Coomaraswamy)

Dance: Odissi Classical Temple Style

The Jagannath temple located in the city of in Puri, Orissa on the shores of the Indian Ocean has been the site and source for prayer offerings of dance as a part of the mid-day ritual worship of the deity Jagannath, an anthropomorphic form of Lord Vishnu. The Hindu Trinity is made up of Brahma- creator, Vishnu- preserver, Shiva-destroyer. Jagannath worship, a blending of Brahmanic tradition with regional overtones of nature worship included music and dance as part of the daily worship in the temple. Women were dedicated to temple service to perform multiple duties that included dance during the day before the composite image of Jagannath, with his brother Balabahdra and sister Subhadra and singing of verses from the Gita Govinda, (a love poem by Jayadeva) at bed time. For these female servants called Devdasis and locally, known as Maharis the duties of singing and dancing were a commitment to the Lord through devotion and alignment of their spiritual being with the deity. As the tradition began to change from sacred to secular, Odissi Nritya (dance) was taken over by young men who taught it in gyms to pre-pubertal boys beginning the tradition of Gotipuas. Later, the dance became known as one of India’s the most ancient classical dance style and scholars aligned its base to dance to as Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Darpana and regional Odissi dance texts. Today, Odissi is taught and performed all over the world and information about it is only a click on the internet.

Odissi dance is a blending of hard and soft movements. The head pivots on the base of the neck, the upper torso pivots on the navel and the lower body from the hips to the feet is solidly placed either in the square (chauk) or the triple bend (tribhang) position on thefloor. Among the numerous devotional elements that are seen in the movements, the inspirations from nature are indelible in the dance movements. The waves of the ocean are seen in the fluidity of the upper torso of the body in sways and jerks, the graceful pirouettes and turns on one leg resemble the flight of the crane and water birds, rotation of the wrists and graceful finger movements reflect the shapes of flowers, creepers and trees, jumping lightly on heels as wind blowing or representing various animals all these are based on rhythmic footwork that represent the connection of the body to earth.

All classical Indian dance styles include both pure dances and narrative or story dances. The pure dances of the Odissi style are often dedicated to individual gods/ goddesses. They elaborate the the movement vocabulary through linking of body positions to a structured time cycle of beats and rhythmic phrases with music. So, Batu (sthayi/foundation) dance is dedicated to Shiva, the powerful male element while Pallavi (flowering creeper) represents the feminine. The narrative or story dances fall in the realm of expression and gestures known as Abhinaya and when combined with rhythm are called Sa-Abhinaya. Central to Abhinaya dances is the retelling of the story of love, salvation and eternal union of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha in the verses of the loved poem Gita Govinda by the poet Jayadeva (12th century). Expressive (Abhinaya) dances also include mythic stories about numerous other divine beings, animal tales, or contemporary secular themes.

Today, the sculptures on the walls of the Konark Sun Temple in Orissa re-tell the ancient history and rich tradition of this dance through elegantly carved dancer bodies in various poses with their musical instruments, and community of worshippers. Odissi remains strong and vibrant dance style, a testament to the old masters for their clarity in developing a clear and powerful vocabulary, keeping the tradition of refining it over centuries, the discipline of the teachers and students along with innovation and ideas of the artists in the 21st century.

Classes for Children, Youth and Adults 2011-2012

Registration for classes is now open. Call 413-348-8922 or Register Online

Dance: Classical, Folk and Theatrical

Course: Choreography and Repertory for advanced level Nataraj Dancers
(Sunday 11:30AM-1:30PM begins September 11)
Fee: $20 per session
Guru Ranjanaa Devi, artistic director of Nataraj Performing Arts of India is a specialist in the classical and folk dance styles of India. She has received her training in dance under several of India's great dance and music gurus-Kathakali Guru Gopinath, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri and folk styles under Guru Valmiki Bannerjee and the Odissi style from Gurus Mayadhar Rout and Deb Prasad Das. She holds graduate degrees in Indian music and musicology from Delhi University, India specializing in vocals in the Kirana and Agra gharana styles. Her research of temple rituals and texts relating to dance and prayer texts with leading Brahmanic scholars have resulted in acclaimed theatrical productions now acquired by libraries around the world. With her dance company Nataraj Dancers, she has toured and performed worldwide presenting performances, workshops and teaching classes. Ranjanaa and Nataraj Dancers are on the NEST artist roster in New England and present yearly residencies in public and private schools. Her interest and knowledge of the Asian performing arts reflects in the unique artists and events she presents as the Founder Director of the Asian Arts and Culture Program at the Fine Arts Center, UMass. She is guest faculty at the Five College Dance Department and teaches at Mount Holyoke College. She is the Recipient of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate Citation Award 2007 and the Recipient of Japan Society of Boston Award for developing US-Japan Cultural Relations 2008.

Dance for the Young

This course offers a creative approach with Indian dance movements, gestures and rhythms for the young bodies to learn about balance, coordination and expression.
Course: 8 weeks (Wed. 5:15PM-6:15PM September, 7-28, October 5-26)
Fee: $96

Odissi Dance for Youth

Continuing the learning, intermediate level dance students will learn repertory dances in the Odissi style, folk dances, rhythm phrases and new expressive poems with a focus on performance.
Course: 8 weeks (Thu. 6-7:30PM September 8-29, October 6-27)
Fee: $120
Monica Bhowmik continues her thirteen years of study and learning with Guru Ranjanaa. She has performed with the Company in multiple dance venues and including the company’s 2009 Japan tour. She teaches beginning level classical dance classes at the Nataraj Studio for young children. Her style of teaching and interacting with the young and youth nurtures and cares for each student, providing a comfortable and safe environment for learning. She holds a MA in Education and is an elementary school teacher.

Yoga with Dance

Combining the fluidity of Yoga poses to give flexibility to the torso with the grace of Odissi dance movements, rhythms and gestures, this class is for beginning adults who wish to get familiar with the classical form and develop strength and poise in the body.
Course: 8 weeks (Wednesdays 6:30- 7:45PM September, 7-28, October 5-26)
Fee: $120
Michelle Marroquin has years of practice of multiple forms of Yoga, a BA and MFA in Dance from Hampshire and Smith colleges and continued training over several years in classical Indian dance with Guru Ranjanaa Devi, Michelle is a disciplined yet wonderful teacher who provides a platform for easy learning.

Sacred Art with Kamini

The sacred visual art of India personified internal forces to assist in contemplative growth and the awareness of the divine in all things. These powerful archetypes resonate with timeless internal relevance and beauty. Focusing on one archetype per course, we will imbibe its story and imagery through artistic and meditative practices. Using drawing and painting, we will learn to see light, color and form with greater sensitivity, and to develop skills to give "voice" to our feelings and imagination. We will work observing from life as well as from examples of sculpture and dance. All levels welcome.
Course: 6 weeks (Mondays 5:30PM-7PM September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 17, 24)
Fee: $90.00
Materials fee: $25.00 or bring own
Kamini (Pamela) Avril, painter, holds an MFA in Art and is a Guggenheim Fellow in Painting. She has worked in many materials and methods, has exhibited and is in collections worldwide. She has taught and lectured in the U.S. as well as India. In recent years she has given special focus to portraiture and to integrating her longstanding interest in Eastern philosophy and art directly with her painting. For more information, and to see examples of her work, please visit: www.pamelaavril.com. Any questions, please email Kamini at artoffering@yahoo.com.

Meditation with Susan Downing: 4 Sessions (September-November)

Sept. 19th: Introduction to seated meditation
We'll present several ways to practice seated meditation, followed by a 30 minute meditation session. No experience necessary. Meditation cushions and chairs provided.
October 3rd: Kinhin (walking meditation)
Learn this Japanese meditation method which you can practice anywhere, indoors or out. Session includes 30 minutes of kinhin practice. No experience necessary.
October 24th: Meditation to Enhance Gratitude and Compassion
We'll take you through a guided meditation which will help you focus on gratitude and compassion and teach you to do this on your own, so that your positive feelings toward your life and those in it can continue to blossom.
November 14th: Seated Meditation
Continued practice with the methods presented on Sept. 19th.
Fee: $15 per session
Susan Downing, Reiki Master Teacher and PhD, is a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition to practicing and teaching Reiki, she provides instruction in meditation and stress relief techniques. Her book, The Heart of Reiki is forthcoming from Lotus Press. www.MountainZendoAndHealingCenter.com

Tabla with Dibyarka Chatterjee

A versatile drum to learn many popular Indian rhythms used in folk, popular and classical songs for children and adults with this New Yorkbased drummer.
Course: 8 week sessions (Saturdays from 12Noon -5PM staring in September 2011)
Fee: depends on taking a private or a group lesson. Email: info@natarajdancers.org
Dibyarka Chatterjee is the son and disciple of Pandit Samir Chatterjee. He is at ease in working with musicians representing east and west traditions – from accompanying India’s well known performers to collaborating for world music projects with Dance Theater of Harlem or working with fusion musicians and composers like Salman Ahmad (Junoon), Douglas Cuomo, John McDowell for the award-winning documentary “A Son’s Sacrifice”) etc. www.dibyarka.com

INFORMATION

Class sizes vary so please call to check on enrollment.

Class fees will be collected at the first week of each 8 week session.
Payment for classes should be made by cash or a check payable to Nataraj Inc.
UNSURE about which class your child should be enrolled in?
Call/ email: Ranjanaa Devi at ranjanaa@charter.net or info@natarajdancers.org

Dress Code for Dancers
Please wear pants tied at the ankles and a T-Shirt with a scarf tied at the waist alternately wear Indian style salwar/kameez/dupatta. Please make sure the salwar bottom is snug around the ankles. NO SHORTS or SKIRTS please. Hair should be braided and put up in a bun or tied back securely.
Performances
All dance students enrolled in classes will have at least one opportunity to perform each semester. Nataraj Dancers and intermediate level dancers will perform more regularly.

Those students performing will be Required to attend rehearsals. A rehearsal schedule will be available for pick-up on the first day of class. Ask your teachers for it.

For Questions, Call 413-348-8922 or Register Online