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Sanskruti’s webinar on Ottan Thullal captivates UK audiences

The first of its kind webinar included detailed description and demonstration of the nuances of Ottan Thullal and has captivated the audiences, a report by Asian Lite

An exclusive 90-minute webinar on the 18th-century art form of Ottan Thullal is organised by Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence recently. The first of its kind webinar included detailed description and demonstration of the nuances of the art form and has captivated the audiences.

Ottan Thullal
Ahaarya in Ottan Thullal

The session began with the opening words by former Mayor Cllr Tom Aditya from Bristol. Well known Ottan Thullal artiste Kalamandalam Mahendran, and his young disciple Dhruv from Kerala demonstrated the mudras used in the art form.

The Rasas and the types of Thullal were beautifully described, of which Ottan Thullal is the most prominent and faster than Parayan Thullal and Sheetangal Thullal. The steps used in Ottan Thullal were demonstrated in increasing and decreasing speeds and rhythms.

Former Mayor Tom Aditya giving opening words at Ottan Thullal webinar

Garuda Garvabhangam and Kalyana Saugandhikam written by Kunjan Nambiar- the brain behind introducing the art form are enacted. Eyeball movements are demonstrated at the end. Extensive and exclusive training including Kalari martial art is also explained.

Artist coordination is done by Manju Sunil and Vote of Thanks is rendered by Ragasudha Vinjamuri, Founder of Sanskruti Centre. While the presentation has been in Malayalam, Meera has provided effective English version for the understanding of wider audiences. This is the fourth event organised by Sanskruti Centre in its series Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations in the UK.

The video can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/Sanskruti100/videos/376861907117148

  • Ahaarya element in Thullal
  • Demonstration of Ottan Thullal steps
  • Demonstration by Kalamandalam Mahendran
  • Meera providing English translation of the content
  • Ragasudha Vinjamuri presenting Vote of Thanks
  • Manju Sunil at Ottan Thullal webinar
  • Sheetangal Thullal
  • Ottan Thullal by Kalamandalam Mahendran

ALSO READ – Sanskruti Centre organises captivating webinar on Koodiyattam
ALSO READ – Kaustubham Karnatakam by Sanskruti showcases vibrant art forms

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Saugandhikam Samskritam captivates global audiences

Presenters of Saugandhikam Samskritam ranged from Padma Shri, Presidential and Sahitya Academy awardees to Scholars, Research scholars, and enthusiasts from across four continents, a report by Asian Lite

A recent webinar highlighting the relevance, importance and beauty of the Sanskrit language has captivated audiences virtually. Titled Saugandhikam Samskritam, the event was organised by Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence (UK), in association with The Nehru Centre (ICCR, London) and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. London.

Saugandhikam Samskritam
Amish Tripathi, Author & Director of Nehru Centre, London

Presenters ranged from Padma Shri, Presidential and Sahitya Academy awardees to Scholars, Research scholars, and enthusiasts from across four continents presenting interesting inputs and poetical inputs.

The event began with an invocation by Akash Guntiwar, faculty of Central Sanskrit University- Bhopal campus, followed by a recitation by the students of St James, London. Opening words are rendered by Amish Tripathi, Author and Director, Nehru Centre. Message by Honourable Culture Minister of India Shri Prahlad Singh Patel for the occasion was read out.

Padma Shri Chamu Krishnashastry at Saugandhikam Samskritam event

Speeches by Dr Kala Acharya, Prof. Viroopaksha V Jaddipal, Padma Shri Abhiraj Rajendra Mishra have highlighted the contemporary relevance of Sanskrit, Sanskrit as a multi-dimensional knowledge system and presence of Sanskrit in Indonesia.

Keynote by Padma Shri Chamu Krishnashastry on spoken Sanskrit and how it can be made a common man’s communication system was powerful. Dr Nandakumara provided remarks on the propagation of Sanskrit and lauded the organisers for conceiving the meaningful program.

Padma Shri Abhiraj Rajendra Mishra at Saugandhikam Samskritam event

The poetry recitation had beautiful renditions by Sushil Rapatwar (UK), Acharya Durgaprasad Pokharel (UK), Dr Suhas Mahesh (UK), Aneesh Raghavan (India), Abirlal Gangopadhyay (India), Shiva Rajeev Shrivastava (South Africa), Yuvraj Bhattarai (India), Kushagra Aniket (USA), Dr Shrinathdhar Dwivedi (India), Dr M Sudarshan Chiplunkar (India), Dr Dhananjay Mishra (India), Dr Rajkumar Mishra (India), Dr Arvind Kumar Tiwari (India), Dr Ramakrishna Pejathaya (India), Prof. Ravuri Gayatri Murali Krishna (India), Prof. Satish Kumar Kapoor (India) and Dr Tulsidas Parauha (India). The event was anchored by Ragasudha Vinjamuri, Founder of Sanskruti Centre. Backup support was provided by Radhika Joshi.

The event video can be viewed at

https://www.facebook.com/Sanskruti100/videos/957022571799950

  • Prof. Viroopaksha V Jaddipal at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Dr Kala Acharya at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Dr Nanda Kumara at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Sushil Rapatwar at Saugandhikam Samskritam
  • Invocation by Akash Guntiwar, Central Sanskrit University- Bhopal Campus
  • Vinjamuri Ragasudha at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Shiva Rajeev Shrivastava at Saugandhikam Samskritam
  • Yuvaraj Bhattarai at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Kushagra Aniket at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Dr Shrinathdhar Dwivedi at Saugandhikam Samskritam
  • Dr Sudarshan Chiplunkar at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Dr Dhananjay Mishra at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Dr Rajkumar Mishra at Saugandhikam Samskritam
  • Dr Arvind Tiwari at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Dr Ramakrishna Pejathaya at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Prof Ravuri Gayatri Murali at Saugandhikam Samskritam
  • Prof Satish Kapoor at Saugandhikam Samskritam
  • Dr Tulasi Parauha at Saugandhikam Samskritam
  • Dr Suhas Mahesh at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Acharya Durgaprasad Pokhrel at Saugandhikam Samskritam event
  • Abirlal Gangopadhyaya at Saugandhikam Samskritam event

ALSO READ – Sanskruti Centre organises captivating webinar on Koodiyattam

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Arts & Culture India News Lite Blogs

Sanskruti Centre organises captivating webinar on Koodiyattam

Guru Chakyar as Vidushaka

The webinar raised huge awareness and understanding of Koodiyattam, India’s oldest living theatre tradition, among the UK and European audiences, which UNESCO has recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, reports Asian Lite News

As part of the series of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, a unique and captivating webinar on the 2000-year Indian art form of Koodiyattam was organised by Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence. Renowned Guru Painkulam Narayana Chakyar has spoken on the occasion and has joined the virtual platform from Kerala. Dr Ragasudha Vinjamuri has welcomed the audiences and Manju Sunil has introduced the Guru’s eminence in Koodiyattam.

Navarasas shown by Painkulam Narayana Chakyar

Guru Narayana Chakyar has then started his presentation by explaining how Koodiyattam was performed in temples as a ritual tradition, and how it has retained its relevance through ages, and to the current form introduced by King Kulasekhara, as an elaborate performance structure. He said that it is believed that Shakya Muni, one of the disciples of Bharata Muni could have been the originator of the name Chakyar, by who Koodiyattam is performed. Chakyar are assisted by Nambiars and Nangyars. 18 Chakyar families are believed to have spread the art form wider.

Koodiyattam
Dr Ragasudha Vinjamuri hosting the event

The Guru has explained Indian theatre tradition right from Indus Valley Civilisation, even before Bharata Muni and Natya Shastra, and its presence during the Vedic period and to the Buddhist era. He explained about Bhasa’s Sanskrit dramas approximately from about 200 BC-300 AD. With the help of videos and photos, he has explained the enactment of characters such as Jataayu, Brihannala, and Ravana. The video demonstration of Baali was captivating.

Manju Sunil introducing the Guru

As part of Chaturvidhabhinaya, four types of Abhinaya as per Natya Shastra, he has beautifully explained Angikabhinaya, Vachikabhinaya, Sattvikabhinaya, and Aharya. He mesmerizingly demonstrated Navarasas from Srungara to Karuna- the nine different emotions expressed in classical dancing. He has also shown few unique gestures used in Koodiyattam, such as “apostrophe” in Rama’s wife, or the position “in” the land. It was interesting to know the role of Vidushaka, and the grammar being enacted through mudras in dancing. While the Guru spoke in Malayalam, the content was translated to English by Salini RG.

Cllr Sharad Jha during Q and A

The webinar has no doubt raised huge awareness and understanding of Koodiyattam, India’s oldest living theatre tradition, among the UK and European audiences, which UNESCO has recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. During Q and A section, Cllr Sharad Jha, Councillor for Gold Hill Ward, has asked about Sattvika abhinaya. Questions from Ramneek Chandra Dwivedi and Chittaranjan Satpati from India were also answered.

The video of this interesting webinar can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/Sanskruti100/videos/345693196892118

Also Read – Kaustubham Karnatakam by Sanskruti showcases vibrant art forms