Latest news with #TanusreeShankar
Hans India
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Monsoon Dreams dazzles Hyderabad
Hyderabad's vibrant cultural calendar witnessed a mesmerising evening of dance and storytelling as Chowrangee, the city's emerging art and culture platform, hosted Monsoon Dreams at the historic Taramati Baradari. Presented by the renowned Tanusree Shankar Dance Company, the evening was a seamless blend of classical choreography, spiritual themes, and Tagorean philosophy. Tanusree Shankar, the legendary dancer and choreographer of international acclaim and a recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, led her company through an enchanting repertoire. The first half of the performance featured a series of her iconic choreographic pieces, including Ganesh Vandana, Shiva, Serenity, Court Dance, Cloud, Wrishya Vihar, and Amity. These performances explored a spectrum of moods and themes ranging from divinity and peace to the grandeur of royalty, environmental beauty, and women's empowerment. Each piece was underscored by the distinctive compositions of the late Ananda Shankar, Tanusree's husband and an avant-garde musician in his own right. The unique fusion of traditional Indian rhythms with contemporary instrumentation lent the ballets a modern yet rooted energy, which was met with thunderous applause from a packed audience. The second half of the evening was dedicated to a captivating dance ballet titled Chirantan, inspired by the works of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Known for his poetic portrayal of love, peace, and human unity, Tagore's ideals were brought to life through expressive choreography, compelling music, and rich symbolism. Chirantan conveyed a vision of hope, spiritual awakening, and the triumph of love over hatred—especially poignant in today's world. A highlight of the segment was the evocative narration and voice-over by none other than Amitabh Bachchan. Coupled with the soul-stirring music by Debajyoti Mishra, the ballet unfolded as a tribute to the enduring relevance of Tagore's message: a world free from fear, guided by truth and compassion. Chowrangee, the organiser of the event, is a Hyderabad-based cultural platform that aims to spotlight India's artistic heritage through inclusive and innovative programming. Inspired by the spirit of Bengal yet inclusive of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds, Chowrangee is dedicated to fostering meaningful cross-cultural dialogues. Its curated offerings span theatre, dance, music, and visual arts, making it a rising force in Hyderabad's cultural scene. Backed by the not-for-profit Bengal and Beyond Foundation, Chowrangee remains committed to presenting high-quality, immersive performances that unite communities and celebrate shared human values. Monsoon Dreams stood as a testament to this mission, leaving the audience spellbound with its lyrical storytelling and artistic grandeur.
Hans India
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Chowrangee's ‘Monsoon Dreams' enthrals audiences
Hyderabad: Chowrangee, Hyderabad's innovative art and culture platform, recently presented 'Monsoon Dreams', an evening of exquisite dance ballet performed by the Tanusree Shankar Dance Company at Taramati Baradari on Sunday. Tanusree Shankar is a renowned dancer and choreographer of international acclaim, as well as a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. The first half of the evening featured her classic choreographic pieces, including Ganesh Vandana, Shiva, Serenity, Court Dance, Cloud, Wrishya Vihar, and Amity. These performances explored a wide range of themes, such as spirituality, peace, grandeur, monsoons, the environment, and feminism. Many of the dance pieces were accompanied by the unique and distinctive melodies of the legendary modern composer Ananda Shankar, Tanusree Shankar's late husband. The audience responded to this segment with enthusiastic applause. Rabindranath Tagore, renowned for capturing the essence of love in his poems, songs, and writings, emphasized the importance of harmonious living in a world full of conflict. The second half of the evening featured a ballet titled 'Chirantan', which showcased excerpts from Tagore's extensive body of work. This performance reinforced the belief in truth, love, peace, and spirituality that unites humanity. It culminated in a spellbinding ballet that depicted the arrival of a peaceful dawn, symbolizing an era where love triumphs over hatred—a sanctuary of hope, goodness, and tranquility. The segment was further enhanced by Amitabh Bachchan's narration, complemented by Debajyoti Mishra's beautiful music.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Chowrangee's dance, music show at Taramati Baradari on July 26
Chowrangee, Hyderabad's vibrant new-age platform for arts and culture, is presenting an evening of evocative dance, music, and monsoon magic – the 'Monsoon Dreams - led by Tanusree Shankar and her dance company at Taramati Baradari on July 26, at 7 p.m. Monsoon Dreams is a spellbinding production that weaves classical Indian aesthetics with contemporary flair. Tanusree Shankar is one of India's foremost dancers and choreographers, carrying forward the globally admired legacy of the Uday Shankar style of dance.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Tanusree Shankar to light up Hyderabad stage with ‘Monsoon Dreams'
Hyderabadis set to witness an evening of expressive dance and cultural splendour as legendary dancer-choreographer Tanusree Shankar brings her celebrated production, Monsoon Dreams, to the city. Presented by Chowrangee, a growing platform for the arts in Hyderabad, the performance will take place on July 26, 2025 at the historic Taramati Baradari. Monsoon Dreams is more than just a dance show—it's a poetic tribute to the season of renewal. Through evocative choreography and visual storytelling, the production captures the rhythms of the monsoon, the emotions it stirs, and the eternal cycle of longing, loss, and hope. Drawing from Indian classical traditions and infused with contemporary flair, the performance promises an immersive sensory experience for audiences. At the heart of the evening is Tanusree Shankar, an icon of contemporary Indian dance and the artistic director of the Tanusree Shankar Dance Company. A pioneer in her field, she carries forward the Uday Shankar legacy, blending Indian classical and folk dance with elements of Western movement. Her company has performed in over 40 countries, earning acclaim for productions that are as intellectually rich as they are visually stunning. Recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Woman of Excellence Award by FICCI, Tanusree Shankar's work bridges cultures and generations. Monsoon Dreams, like much of her repertoire, explores the universal human spirit through dance—rooted in heritage, yet constantly evolving. The evening is hosted by Chowrangee, a Hyderabad-based initiative by the Bengal and Beyond Foundation, committed to fostering cross-cultural dialogue through theatre, music, dance, and visual arts. Inspired by Bengal's cultural ethos, Chowrangee creates inclusive spaces for meaningful artistic experiences, aiming to bridge India's diverse communities through creativity. With Monsoon Dreams, Chowrangee continues its mission to offer high-calibre performances that engage, inspire, and bring together audiences through shared artistic expression.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
NATYA VRIKSHA's World Dance Day festival features an impressive line-up of artistes
NATYA VRIKSHA is all set to present the 18th edition of its special event, organised each year to mark World Dance Day. It is conceived and curated by senior Bharatanatyam dancer Geeta Chandran. 'World Dance Day is a moment to pause and celebrate what dance brings into our lives, not just technique or tradition, but emotion, truth and transformation. This festival is our offering to the art, and to the young dancers who will carry it forward,' says Geeta Chandran. What sets this festival apart is its inclusive embrace of classical, contemporary and experimental dance forms. This year's line-up includes performances by Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi and Odissi artistes. Each day, the festival opens with a workshop 'Movement and Dance Aesthetics', to be conducted by dancer and choreographer, Tanusree Shankar. Over the course of two days, there will be a witty theatrical retelling of an ancient story, scripted and performed by Ramaa Bharadvaj as well as a lecture by Ashok Vajpeyi on how dance, while rooted in the present, opens portals to imagination, memory and transcendence. There will also be performances by Madhura Bhrushundi (Bharatanatyam), Dheerendra Tiwari (Kathak), Abhinaya Nagajothy (Kuchipudi) and Shashwati Garai Ghosh (Odissi). Another key highlight is the conferment of the sixth NATYA VRIKSHA Lifetime Achievement Award to SPIC MACAY and its founder Kiran Seth, in recognition of their tireless efforts in preserving and promoting India's cultural heritage amongst youth. 'This honour is not mine alone — it belongs to every student who has sat in awe before an artiste, to every volunteer who has given their time to SPIC MACAY, and to every institution that believes in the power of the arts to shape minds and lives,' said Kiran Seth. The World Dance Day Festival 2025 will take place on 26th and 27th April at India International Centre, New Delhi. The festival line-up April 26, 9.30 a.m.: 'Movement and Dance Aesthetics' workshop by Tanusree Shankar. 4.15 p.m.: Lecture: 'Dancing Away' by Ashok Vajpeyi; 6:30 p.m: Young Dancers Festival – Madhura Bhrushundi (Bharatanatyam) and 7.45 p.m.: Dheerendra Tiwari (Kathak). April 27, 9.30 a.m.: 'Movement and Dance Aesthetics' workshop by Tanusree Shankar. 4.15 p.m.: 'Avatarana – The Story of Natya', scripted and performed by Ramaa Bharadvaj; 6:30 p.m.: Young Dancers Festival featuring Abhinaya Nagajothy (Kuchipudi) and 7.45 p.m.: Shashwati Garai Ghosh (Odissi).
