Defining Classical art
Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant's new production ‘Tales of the Bull and Tiger’ (Simha and Nandi) witnessed a packed Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad recently. Visually stunning, the programme was an offshoot of the renowned artiste's creative ability, which reached stunning heights. A whole new dimension was opened up to display choreography, costumes, lighting and music of breathtaking ability all seamlessly melded to perfection. Pastel colours, minimum ornaments and backdrops of surpassing elegance set the tone. The depth and richness of the content set a new benchmark indeed.
The meticulous synchronisation and use of space created a rich experience. The ballet was continuous with no breaks for 87 minutes mesmerising the audience with its overflowing energy.
Anna Rao Gangavalli – HANS India 7th August 2018
Nothing short of a spectacle
Renowned Spanish artist Pablo Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Those who gathered at Ravindra Bharathi on Saturday evening were fortunate enough to experience this first-hand.
A spellbinding dance performance choreographed and produced by Ananda Shankar Jayant, rained a divine experience, washing away the dust of the hectic everyday life from the souls of the audience. The premiere of ‘Tales of the bull and the tiger’ witnessed a packed venue.
An ensemble cast of dancers performed the various tales, as being narrated to Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya. Everything from the musical soundscape, lighting, stage-setting, including background visuals, and the costumes of the dancers, were in perfect sync to the mood of the performance, and contributed greatly in enriching it. Each performance received loud rounds of applauses from a visibly awe-struck audience.
Keerthana .B Telangana Today 5th August 2018
An Artistic Confluence
A spectacular show that ended with a thunderous response from the audience
Deccan Chronicle 6th August 2018
Tales from Kailash, told from a new perspective
Shankarananda Kalakshetra’s dance production, ‘Tales of the Bull and the Tiger’ staged last weekend, is still the talk of the town’s art circles. choreographed by celebrated dancer Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant, the production which kicked off the institute’s 40th anniversary celebrations, was a stunning rendition of the legends of Shiva and Parvathy
Times of India, Hyderabad 8th August 2018
Interesting interpretation of an oft-told tale
A tightly packed Ravindra Bharathi was witness to the overpowering energy of Shankarananda Kalakshetra’s premiere of its latest work ‘Tales of the Bull and the Tiger’ recently.
Indeed, the evening recreated the nostalgia of a grandmother’s vivid night-time storytelling that was oft-punctuated by flashes of thunder and lightning.
Watching ‘Tales of the Bull and the Tiger’, was a lesson in precision and aesthetics. Ananda Shankar Jayant’s productions have never scrimped on presentation. The importance of sensitised lighting in a production of this nature can never be overstated, and this was amply visible in the color schema used by lighting designers Gyandev Singh and Basavaraju. The digital graphics created by artist Gunjan Ashtapura, were subtle and elegant much like a beautiful tapestry hanging unobtrusively on a wall. The costumes designed by Ganesh Nallari, well thought out and carefully put together, were a treat to the eyes without compromising on character suitability.
Chiefly choreographed by Ananda Shankar Jayant, she was assisted by some of her senior students. Stupendously talented Mithun Shyam played the part of the enigmatic family-man Siva to the hilt: now full of ardour for his lovely bride Parvati, now fierce with abandon as the lord of cosmic dance. Ananda Shankar Jayant played the part of the motherly and loving Parvati, a perfect foil to Siva’s boundless energy.
Pujita Krishna -Friday Review The Hindu 9th August 2018
Tales of the bull and the tiger
Known for her excellent productions of Panchatantra and Seagull, when Ananda Shankar Jayant announced the premiere of ‘Tales of the Bull and the Tiger,’ one expected something on the line of the two dance choreographic works. But trust Ananda to explore through the two vahanas of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and the vahanas of their two sons Kartikeya and Subrahmanya, the stories of ‘Him’ and ‘Her’!
From the word go it was a nonstop 87 minutes, racy production which kept the audience in thrall. One could see the determination on Ananda’s part to culminate her artistic gifts with a riveting production for the yearlong celebrations of 40 years of Shankarananda Kalakshetra.
Having received training at Kalakshetra under the watchful guidance of Rukmini Devi and exposure to the dance-dramas there, it was obvious that receptive as Ananda has been, she has imbibed the best influences with suggestive touch in her production. The visuals were impressive.
As a choreographer Ananda places the dance at the right moment. Young and handsome Mithun Shyam, disciple of late Guru Padmini Ramachandran from Bangalore, in role of Shiva unleashes breathtaking energy…he casts a spell on not only the devotees but also the audience. There is suspension of disbelief and each tableau of dancers evokes familiar images of the divine pair.
A production that is another feather in cap of Ananda deserves to be seen in other cities.
Dr Sunil Kothari – www.narthaki.com 12th August 2018
Heralding forty years of teaching in dance
Surviving for forty years in the dance field, with fortunes depending as much on the dancer’s proficiency as on much else beyond it affecting the scenario, is in it-self no mean achievement, and to have done so with credit is a matter of pride and satisfaction. A product of Chennai’s Kalakshetra, Dr.Ananda Shankar Jayant, a bureaucrat/dancer combines a full time profession as a high ranking Indian railways official, with running an active Bharatanatyam school – Shankarananda Kalakshetra, initiated in 1979 at Hyderabad. Other activities apart, the institution has been a pioneer of arts in the digital space by creating ‘Natyarambha’ a first of its kind Bharatanatyam Practice app now being followed by students and gurus from various parts of the world. With twenty five dance productions staged across continents to its credit, Shankaranand’s yearlong fortieth year celebration was inaugurated with “Tales of the Bull and the Tiger” premiered at Hyderabad’s Ravindra Bharathi.
While the theme is as old as the dance, it is told in a different way. Ananda’s unique approach apart from demystifying the Shiva/Parvati myth, has a perspective on the divine couple coming from their ‘vahanas’ Nandi the Bull and Simha the Lion – with Shiva here seen as a householder. The tales of the bull and the tiger, communicating to both child and adult in simple directness, also include the esoteric philosophy of Shiva as the non-anthropomorphic, formless Lingam, and of Parvati as the female energy residing in the Sri Chakra.
Finished performances and stage effects, with each of 23 dancers meticulously trained and unique group formations were features of the production. The team effort spoke of years of integrated work practice, with music composition by Sathiraju Venumadhav and Jati and Nattuvangam by Renuka Prasad also deserving of high praise.
Leela Venkataraman – The Asian Age – 28th August 2018
Audience Response
The 'devotional ballet' "Tales of the bull and the tiger" was truly your magnum opus, well fitting the 40th year celebrations of Shankarananda Kalakshetra. Actually until we walked into the hall, and read the programme notes, we (at least I) did not realise that it was a seamless weave of tributes to Shiva and Parvati. And how well you and your team brought it about! Each one in the team played her/his part so well, with coordination and commitment! The Tandava Nrithyam of Shiva was breathtaking! Shri Venumadhav did so well- blending songs and prayers from Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu- and your team of girls excelled.
And you as Parvati led them all with your own performance.The audience was spellbound- rightly so!
All the very best to you, to Shankaranand Kalakshetra and the team of students that you have so painstakingly mentored!
With best wishes to you, Jayant and the team of SK-
Dr D Balasubramanian, Distinguished Scientist
Tue, Aug 7,
1:59 AM
An email from a young member of the audience
Dear Ananda Aunty,
My name is Navya Maitri and I am a senior disciple of Guru Smt. Deepa Mahadevan and a rising senior at Stanford University. Thank you so much for inviting me to the premiere of the Tales of the Bull and the Tiger. I am so glad I had the opportunity to attend.
Beyond the awe-inspiring choreography, perfection of the ensemble, the simple and elegant costumes, and the wonderful aptness of the lighting, it was the play on perspective and invoking of relatability in the Tales of the Bull and the Tiger that really intrigued me. Not only was the idea of the vahanas telling the stories of Shiva and Parvathi to Ganesha and Karthikeya novel, it added a sense of relatability due to the family dynamic that I have never experienced in any other production featuring the dynamic foursome.
Moreover, the creation of a continuous, dynamic musical track instead of distinct pieces also added to the rapture while the incredible, seamless integration of key pieces of popular keerthanams in various tempos without changing their flagship Ragams to expose the story made the telling even more relatable. The narration felt just right: enough to understand and effectively guide the storyline and its transitions but never to spill the beans on any story that was being told.
Yet by far what captivated me the most was the way in which the production was brought to a close. With the energizing crescendo of popular Shiva krithis, I was positive that the electrifying Shiva Tandava Sthotram marked the grand finale--all of the characters featured in distinct verses, the Shiva Family reunited on stage, and the energy building in the auditorium after every line. By the end of the piece, I alongside all the audience was on my feet cheering. Then came Neelambari and I was once again left spellbound. To me, what made the lullaby so special was three things: one, recreating and drawing a full circle of that intimate environment at which the storytelling from the bull and tiger to the boys first started; two, the relatability and tenderness in the choreography (when Karthikeya jealously peers over to see Ganesha lying down on Parvathi's lap and when the Vahanas come in and snuggle against Parvathi) reminding the audience that beyond the magnitude of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is a family like any other; and three, the mere decision to end the production with a lullaby. Virtually all productions I have witnessed always end on high-energy notes. But the endearing lullaby, the lilting Neelambari, invoked a sense of peace in the auditorium and a deeply emotional quality. It was the stillness and peace with which the production ended that made me want to cheer 10 times more than I had just a couple minutes before.
Never before in the Indian Classical Arts Scene have I experienced such an incredibly effective production of making storylines understandable and captivating; in this day and age where there is an incessant drive to make arts approachable to all, I believe your work stands as an incredible hallmark. As an aspiring dancer, I was mind blown by the masterful strategy that went into conceptualizing this production, moved by the performance, and hope to develop such a depth of thought, and attention to detail as I grow.
Sincerely,
Navya Maitri Konda
Congratulations on putting together a spectacular production ! It really was a visual, auditory and dance treat. Specially loved the visual multimedia backdrop and the lighting that was so beautifully choreographed to be in sync with the dance performance
Congratulations to the entire choreography and design team behind this show
Ravi Sathanapalli
Congratulationa Ananda . Was a brilliant performance
Rajeswari Sainath –Well known Bharatanatyam Guru and Dancer
Uncle and I enjoyed your programme – very scholarly and scintillating
Dr Radha Chakravarti
Hearty Congratulations Ananda . I may not b able to express how I felt through the whole performance .. but when you stood as Lalitha Devi .. I just couldn’t control my tears .. You are brilliant
Viji
Yesterday’s performance was mesmerising. The dancers were outstanding especially Shiva. Congratulations for your stupendous effort and the outcome absolutely fantastic
Lata Mani
Fantastic Ananda . We were mesmerised
Vijaya Narne
You are just amazing .. hats off to your passion and commitment to the dance. One of the best program I saw. I was spell bound
Krishna Sastry
If there is paradise on earth, it is here and nowhere but here ! You created this feeling at Rabindra Bharathi . It was a phenomenal out of this world performance
Koel Mukherjee
Madam – watched Full ballet . Superb Madam .. Entha Bagundoo ! ‘
Sravanthi
