Kuchipudi & Light Classical Music.

Kuchipudi Dance Performance presented by Shallu Jindal and Light Classical Music by Vidya Shah, at Open Air Theater of Jawahar Kala Kendra on the eve of 9th August 2013 as a part of ongoing Teej Festival organised by R.T.D.C. was really a treat. They Both were Brilliant at their Performances and it was Lovely Watching them.

About: Kuchipudi.

As a classical form of dance, drama and music, Kuchipudi enjoys a unique place among the Indian classical dance idioms. It is ebullient, scintillating and yet it has the capacity to be intensely lyrical. It is bold and sensuous in the movements of the eyes.

Kuchipudi derives its name from the village of Kuchelapuram, in Andhra Pradesh, where it originates, largely as a product of the Bhakti movement, beginning in the seventh century AD. The earlier themes of Kuchipudi were the legends about Shiva and were performed both by men and women. Men performed ritual dances in Shiva temples while women performed as Kelika (entertainment) at the Kalyanamadapams of temples where the gods were the audience.

Kuchipudi is the dance drama of Nritta, Nritya and Natya. The Nritta consists of teermanams and jatis, the Nritya of Sabdams, and the Natya of acting with mudras for the song. Thus, Kuchipudi is a complete dance drama as conceived by Bharat Muni, in which conventional and realistic forms of acting are happily blended. This mixture of acting creates 'Raasa' for the spectator. It is in its subtle interfusion of drama in an otherwise classical pattern of dance that Kuchipudi displays its uniqueness.

About: Shallu Jindal

Shallu Jindal is a New Delhi based multitalented, charismatic and accomplished personality of subtle substance and sophisticated style. She believes and excels in meaningful and wide ranging, 'direct to the deserving' social, charitable and welfare activity and is a philanthropist in her own right. This doe-eyed and slender beauty appreciates art, promotes culture and has worked relentlessly towards becoming arguably, one of the leading exponents of the great Indian classical dance of Kuchipudi.

Deeply religious, she is a devout believer that 'destiny' plays a distinct role in a person's life. Shallu feels if she is herself destined and blessed, she must do all she can, in her own humble way, to tangibly help the not-so-privileged and the impoverished.

Born to one of the most respected, elite and renowned families of Punjab, Shallu is married to Naveen Jindal, leading steel baron, a Forbes celebrity, voted one of the best ten CEOs in India, towering young Member of Parliament and a sportsman of a high caliber, having represented India in Shooting and Polo.

At times symbolism can be a very powerful medium to convey ideas that would otherwise require an academic discourse. This I learnt when I took up Kuchipudi seriously, under the great exponents of the form Shri Raja Radha Reddy.

Mother of two lovely and extremely talented children, Shallu juggles her time artfully to vigorously pursue her wide ranging interests, desires and hobbies while diligently bringing up her children and carefully administering her plush home with elan. Besides Indian classical dance, her interests encompass art & culture, interior design and decoration and social activism. Additionally, promoting the legacy of the National Flag amongst the masses, especially youth, as an abiding symbol of the country's sovereignty, spirit and strength, (in tandem with her husband) is another of her pulsating interests.

Website of Shallu Jindal http://www.shallujindal.in/

About: Vidya Shah

Trained initially in Carnatic music, Vidya Shah later received guidance in in Khayal from Shubha Mudgal and thumri, dadra and ghazal gayaki from Shanti Hiranand. A popular performer, Vidya has also composed and recorded for several projects.She has to her credit releases with international and Indian labels. Her latest, Mere Paas Raho, Time Music, celebrates the Poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz . She has performed at several international forums including the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, Humbolt Forum in Berlin, at the Kala Utsav in Singapore. She is the director of the project Women on Record, celebrating Music of women in the Gramophone era. A prolific writer on music, she is also a member of the cultural committee of the South Asia Foundation. A recipient of the Pro Helvetia residency, and the Charles Wallace Award from the British Council,The Fellowship from Ministry of Culture. Vidya is the Director of Programs at The Centre For Media and Alternative Communication.

Link For Vidya Shah Blog http://vidyashah-music.blogspot.in/