GROTON, MA– Natyanjali School of Dance, which was founded by Jeyanthi Ghatraju, will celebrate its 25 years serving the community through a unique day-long program on Sept. 1 that includes dance workshops, seminars, dance-dress exchanges and donations, and a special workshop to elderly and disabled children to learn dance.
In an exclusive video interview on Face-to-Face, Ms. Ghatraju talks about Sept. 1 program in detail, what will happen and how to register for the program.
To watch the full interview, please click here, or on the image below.
The program will be held on Sept. 1 at New England Shirdi Sai Temple in Groton, MA.To register, visit Natyanjali 25 on Facebook.
Founded in 1995 by Ms. Ghatraju, the school teaches the Thanjavur Style of Bharatanatyam. Today, Natyanjali is a group of dedicated dancers with a mission to perform for the under-privileged. It is affiliated to Alagappa Performing Arts Academy, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India and offers Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs in Performing Arts online.
Seventeen students have completed their arangetrams, twenty-two have graduated the certificate program and one student earned a diploma in performing arts.
On Sept. 1, 2019 at the New England Shirdi Sai Temple from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Natyanjali will commemorate their 25th anniversary with “Natya Nostalgia”.
Their intention is to include the local dance community for the celebrations. The school has organized panel discussions and workshops to bring together esteemed teachers from the Boston area with dancers interested in a variety of topics.
The different forms presented in Sattriya and Kuchipudi are presented through a study of “Dashavatar”. “Rhythm in real life” is about getting music from various parts of the world and putting together creative movements.
Maintaining a focus on bringing together every member of our community, a workshop for registrants with special needs will be offered. “Storytelling for the elderly” will encourage participants to learn a piece from Indian mythology. The workshop on Aharyam (costume/make-up) will offer an understanding of the significance of Aharyam outside of it being a necessity or fashion statement. Throughout the day, a costume and jewelry exchange will be offered wherein, gently used/dry cleaned costumes can be donated/bought/ and proceeds donated to service activities in India.
At 2:oo pm, panel and workshop participants will present pieces based on the topics they explored that morning. To continue this silver jubilee, Natyanjali students and alumni will conclude the day’s events with a short presentation, “Beyond Borders”. This includes live music provided by a local youth ensemble.
By showcasing teachers and students together in this format, Natya Nostalgia is promoting the ideals of its founder, Ms. Ghatraju.
“Often the idea is that dance is reserved for an elite group of people,” says Ms. Ghatraju. “There is some element of dance, however, that is inherent in all of us. It is meant to reach out to the divinity that is around, irrespective of our physical and mental abilities.”
Rather than host an event exclusively for a small number of people, Natyanjali welcomes dancers and dance enthusiasts from throughout the Boston area.
“Everybody has a little bit of dance in them. It’s about how we cultivate it to reach new heights,” says Ms. Ghatraju.
To make this event possible, Ms. Ghatraju procured grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council through the local chapters in Acton-Boxborough, Groton, Littleton, and Westford.
