About The Event
A Lecture-Demonstration series
Varṇam – Mother of Manodharma by Nandini Ramani
Utkarsh is an interactive lecture-demonstration series designed to introduce the audience to Indian classical dance. By taking attendees on a journey through a dance form’s origins, distinct identifiers like aharya and mudras, unique music and foundational movements, it demystifies traditional art forms, showcasing the incredible richness and vast repertoire of India’s dance heritage. This month we feature, renowned Bharatanatyam artiste Nandini Ramani.
Nandini Ramani is a senior Bharatanatyam exponent, teacher, dance critic who has trained under T. Balasaraswati and K. Ganesan. She has also received training in vocal Carnatic music under B. Krishnamoorthy and specialised training under T. Muktha. Ramani has performed extensively across India and abroad, and also writes on the performing arts and culture. She is a recipient of the central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, New Delhi; Natya Padma Award from the Brahma Gana Sabha and Kartik Rajagopal Memorial Award, among others, and a sitting member of certain committees under the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of I & B. Ramani is the Managing Trustee of the Dr. V. Raghavan Centre for Performing Arts, a non-profit organisation initiated by her mother Sarada Raghavan, wife of the illustrious Sanskrit scholar and Indologist Dr. V. Raghavan, for nurturing and propagating multifaceted aspects of Sanskrit, Indian culture and the performing arts.
Varṇam, in Bharatanatyam, is a central item of great importance. It has two components, nritta and abhinaya, which compliment each other. Varṇam or Varṇanam denotes a comprehensive description of any musical piece featuring both technical and melodic elements, serving as a blueprint of a raga.
An NCPA Presentation
Age Limit: 6+
Late entry will not be permitted.
