Lasyatarangini launched to promote Mohiniyattam in UAE
Lasyatarangini UAE Chapter, an art initiative dedicated to the promotion of Mohiniyattam, was launched at the Kerala Social Center (KSC) Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 20th October 2016 by the doyen of Kathakali, Padmasri Kalamandalam Gopi Asan.
The ceremonial launch was held on the sidelines of the three day Kathakali Festival held in Abu Dhabi in which Asan launched Lasyatarangini Logo and Kerala Social Centre (KSC) President Sri Padmanabhan announced the inaugural edition of Lasyatarangini UAE Chapter’s activities.
The first of the performance series titled “Mohiniyattam Arangu”, will be presented on Friday 11th November 2016 at KSC with a Mohiniyattam Katcheri by renowned dancer Aswathy Srikanth.
Aswathy is the daughter of legendary writer and filmmaker Sri M T Vasudevan Nair and eminent guru Smt Kalamandalam Saraswathy.
A documentary titled “Spatial Rhythms” commemorating Sri Kavalam Narayana Panicker, the inimitable Indian dramatist, theatre director, and poet will also be screened at the event.
Lasyatarangini is a collective of Mohiniyattam artists, scholars, and art enthusiasts seeking to promote Kerala’s supremely graceful dance form. Born as an online forum 6 years back, it has led to the coming together of like-minded individuals from across the globe dedicated to this cause. Eminent gurus Kalamandalam Kshemavathy, Bharati Shivaji, Neena Prasad, Vijayalakshmi, Gopika Varma and Smitha Rajan among others are the Patrons of group.
Lasyatarangini aims to expand its reach to communities worldwide, bridging barriers in a bid to promote Mohiniyattam. The UAE chapter is their first step outside India towards this goal.
In addition to the performance series “Arangu”, Lasyatarangini UAE Chapter also aims to conduct its academic series “Samavesh”, national and international Mohiniyattam seminars, lecture demonstrations and documentary screening aimed at generating academic interest in the dance form. Lasyatarangini conducted Samavesh in India from 2011-2013 bringing together scholars, artists and enthusiasts from across the globe.
“Mohiniyattam provides a very aesthetic experience. Unfortunately there aren’t enough opportunities in UAE to watch this graceful dance form. The patrons of Lasyatarangini believe their effort will bridge this gap and bring Mohiniyattam closer to a wider cultural audience”, said Priya M Nair, one of the curators of Lasyatarangini UAE Chapter. The first event “Mohiniyattam Arangu” will be held on Friday 11th November in association with Kerala Social Centre, UAE Xchange and Etihad Airways will have Aswathy Srikanth performing for the first time in UAE.
For further details contact: priya.mnair@gmail.com
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