Natya Shikara

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Compiled by

Chitra Sivakumar

Children Cultural Group, Hong Kong2014


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As Gurudakshina for my daughter Gayathris

Guru Sandhya Gopaland her parents

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Acknowledgements

Mrs. Sandhya Gopal, Guru, Natya Shikara

Ms. Sakshi Kaushik, daughter of Mrs. Sandhya Gopal

Ms. Gayathri Sivakumar

All parents of students of Natya Shikara for providing us with photos

All students without whom this book would not have come out

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IntroductionBharathanatyam isntjust dance. Itsdrama, itstheatre, itsart. It relies on a certain

fervent energy to create dynamic atmospheres; the vivacious beats combine with

the sophistication of the dancer to create a stunning display of ancient Indian

stories and legends.

The delicacy of this art form hit home for Natya Shikaras esteemed Guru Smt.

Sandhya Gopal at the tender age of five. Despite being denied the chance to join

lessons immediately, her desire to learn was evident as she spent countless hours

observing classes and mirroring her older sister with a keen eye. At the age of

seven, Sandhya Gopal began her dancing career under the tutelage of her

respected Guru Smt. Jayalakshmi Narayan of Kalakshetra in Hyderabad. Forty years

later and counting, her vested interest and passion is growing almost exponentially.

A Bharathanatyam dancer knows that the art form is not solely based on the

technical accuracy of the footsteps or the swift placement of the arms. Rather, it

thrives on the intuition of the dancer to make his or her judgements. Where should

the eyes focus? How should the face change to convey an emotion? How and

where should the body lean? Such things arenttaught. This innate grace develops

with maturity and the ability to control oneself on stage is honed through

continued training and dedication. 7


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Gurus of Mrs. Sandhya Gopal

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Natya Shikara was conceived in 1997, when Guru Sandhya started with just a single

student. Since then, it has flourished rapidly and has drawn over 50 students from

various parts of Hong Kong. Sandhya is renowned for hosting Hong Kongs first ever

Bharathanatyam Aragetram in 2003 and has since imparted her wisdom and gift to

many others. Her students are popular with the Hong Kong Government and the

Indian Association and are often called upon to showcase their talents in various

cultural programmes.

Sandhya aspires to put Bharathanatyam on the worldscultural frontier by raising the

art forms profile by giving performances on a global scale. By not only capturing

talent and a sense of ethnic grace, Sandhya wishes to instil discipline and share her

love for dance. Most importantly, her dream is to keep alive the Indian culture and

roots by carrying forward a traditional art form.

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Dancers Dance pose photo

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Performance Photos

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Performance Photos

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With Mr. Ashok K. Kanta,

Consul General of India inHong Kong

Mr. Ashok K. Kanta is now Indian Ambassador

in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China

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Performances of their students

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Performance in

World Yoga Conference

Guangzhou

Peoples Republic of China


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Performance in Macau


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Newspaper

Coverages

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South China Morning Post

Young Post, September 25, 2006

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Young Post, December 1, 2006

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Young Post, March 2, 2007

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South China Morning Post, January 27, 2008

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Virakesari,

Sri Lanka


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Arangetram


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Arangetram of Sowmya

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Arangetram of Radhika

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Arangetram of Sakshi

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Arangetram of Vaishnavi

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Arangetram of Nidhi

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Arangetram of Sharanya

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Other students

Performances


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Students but did arangetram with other

teacher - Umayal

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teacherRasya

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teacherSakshi Kumar

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Casual Photos

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Children Cultural GroupHong Kong

Email : [email protected]

Documents

Natya Shikara