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“The Angahara dancers added a ravishing sweetness to their performance” -
Los Angeles Times
“Ramaa’s
students had absolute poise and commanding presence on stage” -
Orange County Register “Ramaa
has trained the children beautifully, and they danced like professionals” -
Pt. Ravi Shankar |
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Ramaa will teach at the following Universities in 2007
Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, - Feb to May 2007 (Tuesdays - 16 weeks)
Pomona College, Claremont, - Jan to May 2007 (Wednesdays - 16 weeks)
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On going classes in Indian classical dance are offered by Ramaa Bharadvaj at Angahara Academy and at Orange Coast College. Angahara Academy is a Southern California based dance-training institute providing classes in two classical dance styles from Southern India - Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi. Our main studio is located in Orange County in the city of Yorba Linda. Since 1987 it has been the training center for hundreds of students. Classes are held in small and strictly monitored groups of 5 to 7 students in a group. Our comprehensive program includes lectures and workshops by guest artists. Our students have performed on professional performance venues and have received prestigious grants from organizations such as California Arts Council, Fund for Folk Culture and Alliance for California Traditional Arts in support of their training and dance projects. Orange
Coast College located
in the city of Costa Mesa, CA, is reputed to have the most comprehensive
world dance program in the Western United States. Ramaa Bharadvaj
designed their Indian dance curriculum and has been on the dance faculty
since 1993. Students interested in experiencing Indian dance can
enroll in Spring session (beginning 4th week of Jan) or Fall session
(beginning 4th week of August). This is a beginner level course
lasting for 16 weeks in each session and incorporates movement and
history as part of its curriculum. The course includes field trips
and a mini end-of-semester-performance at the Robert B. Moore
Theater. Students receive 1 unit credit. For
details call the OCC Dance Department at 714 432 - 5506
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Students
will study dance in a cultural context. Classes
begin with prayers and physical salutations to God and to the teacher.
Besides learning the dance skills, it is important that students
develop pride in their accomplishments, and gain self-confidence and
leadership qualities. We therefore take personal interest in every student and
instill the values of commitment and discipline. Special
Features
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Training Program
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All classes are held at our studio in Orange County, furnished with a specially built and beautifully finished sprung wooden dance floor. CURRICULUM
OF CLASSES THE
BEGINNER
(one class a week): Students
will go through a series of about 100 basic steps, develop the “Pani”
or style associated with our school and begin basic theory INTERMEDIATE
- (one class a week):
Students learn jathis (movement sequences) and continue basic theory ADVANCED
(two classes a week): Student
learn a basic repertoire, improvisational skills and continue to
learn dance theory. A
standard set of 7 basic items will be part of each student’s
curriculum. At the completion of this first “Margam”
or set, the students may perform an “Arangetram”
(a debut) featuring these items. GRADING SYSTEM The
Art of Dance is not a hobby … it requires serious study and focus.
We stress that concept at our school.
We have a systematic grading system in place, aimed at
recognizing the dedicated efforts of our students and encouraging all to
attempt to do their best.
This is not a competition of any kind … it is only an aid in
assessing students’ progress in their dance training. Students will be tested periodically and will receive letter
grades. Parents will be
informed of the students’ progress, through report cards that will be
sent home in Spring and Fall and through Parent-Teacher meetings once a
year. Soon we will be introducing a certificate program to
acknowledge the levels of achievement in their dance training. LECTURES
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Lewis Segal making a Dance-in-Depth presentation
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Performance Opportunities
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ANNUAL
RECITALS Every
year, during the month of October, we present our Annual Students Day.
This is an informal presentation during which all students of the
Academy perform for their family and friends. Students may also audition their other talents, (music, light
dances, storytelling, acting etc.) to be included in the program.
APPEARING ON STAGE Students
whose families are actively involved in community organizations, and
would like to perform at their organization’s events, may contact us.
We create small dance numbers for our junior students to enable
them to participate in these events.
ARANGETRAM This
is a Tamil word, which means, “ascending the stage” (Arangu = stage
+ Etram = ascending). We
come across the word in the 3rd century Tamil classic Silappadikaram.
In it, Madhavi the dancing girl in her early teens, performs her
arangetram and receives a wreath of green leaves and 8000 gold pieces
from the king who was charmed by her expertise.
Today
the word is commonly attributed to the first solo concert of a student.
In Tamil Nadu, Arangetram has always been an occasion during
which senior dancers, and art connoisseurs would give their blessings
and approval to the student. For
the student, the day is a stepping stone into serious study and practice
of dance, and not the culmination of the dance training.
It is also a day of offering gratitude and thanks to the teacher,
musicians etc. At
Angahara we give our students the option of having their Arangetram
conducted in a simple manner on an auspicious day, in a temple.
It can also be conducted in a more glamorous atmosphere of an
auditorium, with live orchestral accompaniment.
It
is interesting to note, that except Bharata Natyam, none of the other
classical dance styles of India have historically observed this custom
of presenting an arangetram.
JOINING THE ANGAHARA ENSEMBLE The Angahara Dance Ensemble is a critically acclaimed and award winning performing group. We have performed at prestigious dance festivals and concert stages in Southern California and have toured in India, Canada, and other U.S. states. Our performances have been telecast by television stations including PBS. The members of the dance company consist of students trained at the academy selected by a competitive process. |
Arangetram of Anjali & Payal
Angahara Dancers
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Updated March 2, 2003
Photo credit: Ramaa Bharadvaj
Copyright 2003 Angahara Ensemble
