DANCE AND FESTIVALS

 

Some of the renowned dance academies in Chennai are:
Swisnger:    An innovativestudio of dance, Swingers caters to the western dance culture that is becoming increasingly popular in Chennai. Swingers are also into event management. They organized the Millennium event at the MGM Beach resort. Swingers have various dance courses for all age groups. The classes are divided into three levels - Beginner's, Elementary andIntermediate. Fundamental 'Jazz' is for juniors and teens. Jazz itself has three levels - level A, level B and level C. Take classes in Latin-American dance, Cha-Cha-Cha, Lambada, Samba, Ballroom, Quick Step, Foxtrot, Special Party Dance, Disco Funk and Club Salsa. Crash courses are conducted in the months of April and May. Swingers also have a branch in Kilpauk Garden.
Located at Challa Mall, 605, 6th Floor, 11, Sir Thyagaraya Road, Pondy bazaar, Chennai 600 017.
 
Kalakshetra: Founded in 1936, by Rukmini Devi Arundale and her husband Dr George Arundale, Kalakshetra has played a significant part in the revival of Indian art and crafts; especially the dance form of Bharatnatyam. Kalakshetra is situated on a sprawling 100-acre campus at Adyar. Students enjoy greenery and the sea while learning the traditional dance and music. Today, some of the most respected exponents in the performing arts are products of Kalakshetra. The School of Dance draws inspiration from the ancient 'Gurukulam' system (where the Student or Sishya lived with, learnt from and served the Teacher or Guru). The Kalakshetra Foundation comprises the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, the Besant Arundale Senior Secondary School, the Besant Theosophical High School, the Craft Education and Research Centre, the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium and the Dr U. V. Swaminatha Iyer Library. Location: Kalakshetra Foundation, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041.
 
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Kuchipudi Art Academy:
Eminent teacher Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam founded this Academy in 1963 to promote graceful Kuchipudi dance originating in Northern Andhra Pradesh. Located at 105,Greenway's Road.
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FESTIVALS
Arubathimoovar Festival:
Literally, 'Arubathimoovar' refers to the 63 saints of Shiva canonized for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance. Bronze figures of these 63 saints adorn the magnificent Kapaliswar Temple at Mylapore, Chennai. Once, every year, they are carried in a colourful procession through the streets of Mylapore.
Chithirai Festival:
Celebrated in Madurai and also in chennai ,a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar. You can witness an ancient legend unfold right before your eyes as Lord Vishnu rides to his sister's wedding on gleaming real-gold horse chariot.
Dance Festival - Mamallapuram:
Sit before an open-air 'stage' created 13 centuries ago the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. Watch a very unique dance event where traditional dance forms of Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi, presented by the very best exponents of the art besides folk dances.
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Kanthuri Festival:
A truly secular festival where devotees flock to the shrine of saint Quadirwali, believed to do equal good to people of all faiths. One of the descendants of the Saint is chosen as a Peer or spiritual leader and is honoured with offerings. On the tenth day of the festival, the Saint's tomb is anointed with sandalwood - and later the holy sandal paste, renowned for its healing powers, is distributed to everyone.
Kavadi Festival:
Dancing in a hypnotic trance to the rhythm of drums, devotees of Muruga carry the 'Kavadi' a flower-decked decoration, all the way up the Palani Hills to fulfil their vow. According to Hindu mythology, Idumban is said to have carried two sacred hillocks on two ends of a pole laced on his shoulders.
 
Music Festival:
Coming December, Chennai celebrates her priceless heritage of carnatic music and dance presented by a galaxy of star artistes.
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Natyanjali Dance Festival:
The temple city of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja the 'Cosmic dancer'. The setting is truly divine-Chidambaram's gold-roofed temple, with pillars depicting Lord Nataraja in 108 poses from Bharatha Natyam - Tamil Nadu's classical dance.
Summer Festival:
The summer festival might find you in the 'Queen of Hill Stations', the evergreen Ooty; the exquisite Kodaikkanal or the salubrious heights of Yercaud - where boat races, flower and fruit shows are specially organized. Also, a splendid opportunity to go trekking in any of Tamil Nadu's other hill stations that promise unforgettable holidays off the beaten track.
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Tourist Fair (Fairylands or Island Grounds - Chennai):
In January, the sun gets into a pleasant holiday mood and Chennai gets a cool respite from her famous hot weather! Time for family outings to the colourful TTDC Trade Fair. The exhibition presents a panorama of Tamil Nadu - all her places of touristinterest, her cultural wealth and economic progress.
Tayagaraja Festival:
Tyagaraja was a South Indian composer and saint born in 1767, and is celebrated for many Telugu songs he composed in praise of Rama. His life and works are a source of great inspiration to young poets and musicians. At Tiruvaiyaru, about 13 km. from Tanjore, South Indian musicians gather at the composer's memorial to sing in his memory. Young artistes believe that they will be blessed with a melodious voice if they anoint the shrine with honey and sing Tyagaraja's songs at his memorial.
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Velankanni Festival:
Wondrous legends surround the church-the most famous being that of the ship-wrecked Portuguese sailors, who in the 16th century, vowed to build a great shrine for the Virgin Mary, for saving their lives in a terrible storm. The Velankanni festival attracts thousands, clad in orange robes to the sacred spot where the ship landed. Equally famous are the Virgin Mary's miraculous healing powers- earning for the church the name 'Lourdes of the East'.
Karthigai Deepam:
Rows of glittering earthen lamps outside every home, and the joyous burst of firecrackers mark Tamil Nadu's Festival of Lights.
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Navratri:
Literally, this means the festival of 'nine nights' taking unique and different forms in different states of India - all to propitiate the goddess Sakthi, for power, wealth and knowledge
Pongal:
At dawn on this day families everywhere gather around a new earthen pot. As the pot of milk boils over, signifying prosperity, a shout of "Pongalo Pongal" rents the air.
  pongal
Saral-Vizha:
A festival that makes a celebration out of a simple, daily ritual bathing! In addition, indeed, a bath at the picturesque Courtallam waterfalls is no ordinary event. The healing waters of the roaring Courtallam are famed for their medicinal properties.
 

 


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