The City Hall campus of Redmond, WA wore a stylish, festive
look on the weekend of June 26th and 27th, 2010. Nearly 20000
exuberant people of all ages were present there over the two days
from 12 noon to 9 pm, soaking in and contributing to the carnival
atmosphere. The reason for celebrations: Ananda Mela, the Joyful
Festival of India.
Redmond residents and visitors from near and far,
comprising all age groups and ethnicities, were taken on a free
weekend getaway to India at Ananda Mela, a comprehensive showcase
of the arts and culture of India. Dancers (and visitors!)
resplendent in their traditional costumes, top-rated traditional
and contemporary musicians, plenty of delectable Indian cuisine,
traditional arts and crafts, booths of vendors selling riotously
beautiful jewelry and dress items, informational booths and
assiduously-designed exhibits—all contributed to pleasing the
senses and the mind in Indian style. Nearly every exhibit and
event, aside from pleasing and entertaining, had informational and
educational value that enhanced the visitors’ experience.
There were ample exhibits and activities for children as well,
including fun rides, games, magic shows, and a performance stage
featuring songs and dances by children. Performances on the main
stage included instrumental ensembles, classical dance forms such
as Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak and Kuchipudi, folk- and popular
dances such as Bhangra, Gypsy and Bollywood dance, Hindustani
classical flute, Indian/Afro-Cuban instrumental fusion music, and
so forth. A noteworthy number of the performers were of non-Indian
origin, testifying to the depth of diffusion and adoption of
Indian culture as America’s own.
The highlight of the festival was undoubtedly the feature
concert on both evenings by Delhi2Dublin, a cheerful and dynamic
group of unassuming but incredibly talented youth from Vancouver,
BC (Canada). Their ultra-modern music features a brilliant mix of
Bhangra, Celtic music, dub reggae, hip hop and other contemporary
influences from around the world. The musicians brought along
Bhangra and Celtic dancers from Vancouver. At the intermission,
audiences were taken through a quick and easy course on how to
dance Bhangra. Delhi2Dublin maintained an excellent rapport with
the audience, drawing them to dance in the arena and on the stage
as well.
Ananda Mela was conducted by Vedic Cultural Center of
Sammamish, WA, in partnership with the City of Redmond. The
breadth, depth and quality of the Ananda Mela experience tells me
that it will become a regular fixture in Redmond over the coming
years.
This two day event on June 26 and June 27, 2010, organized by the Vedic Cultural Center (VCC) in partnership with many Indian-American organizations of the greater Seattle area, will take you on a journey you will enjoy immensely. Experience India in Redmond.
Delhi 2 Dublin A Wildly Contemporary High Energy Blend of Celtic and Punjabi Music
Vancouver-based Delhi 2 Dublin is a group of five musicians who mash up electronica and world music, keeping it heavy on the Bhangra, Celtic and Dub flavours. Fusing tabla, fiddle, dhol, Punjabi vocals, and electric sitar with scorching electronic beats - ranging from reggae to drum and base - the crew takes listeners on a wild ride through global sounds and synchronicities.
"Delhi 2 Dublin is the perfect mix of bhangra(ic)-celtic synchronicity, it only happens once and you are hearing it" - Cheb i Sabbah
Deepak Ram - Bansuri
Senior disciple of world-renowned bansuri maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia
Best Instrumental Album, South African Music Awards, 2000
Nominated Best Male Artist & Best Instrumental Album, South African Music Awards, 1999
Deepak Ram is a versatile artist who is well known for his evocative performances in traditional North Indian (Hindustani)
Classical Music, his collaborations with musicians of other genres, his innovative compositions and for his excellence as a teacher. >>more details
“Ram is certainly an accomplished player, displaying a technical mastery reminiscent of his famous teacher’s….Ram’s playing is mysterious and haunting. Ram proves on this recording (Prasad) that he’s likely to become a central figure in a new generation of Indian musicians.” - Gerry Farrell, Songlines, U.K., November & December, 2002
Kids Cricket coaching and demonstration on June 26th and 27th 2010
Nalini Kathak and Bollywood Dance
Nalini is an accomplished dancer trained in classical Indian dance traditions. She has combined her formal training with more modern expressions of Bollywood and Belly Dance. Audiences are thrilled by her graceful and colorful performances.
Her dance school in Seattle is a fun destination for learning dance and exercise disciplines to body tone and health. Nalini has trained a group of beautiful young ladies who perform a mix of Bollywood, Belly and Gypsy dances that captivate audiences. Contact Nalini at www.Nalinidance.com or 425.647.0555.
Namrock Music Band
"OM" Seattle Indian Music Band
"OM" is a Seattle based local musical band with a group of people passionate about learning and having fun with music. The band has been rendering performances since 2008 on various occasions and locations in and around the Seattle area. Here is a quote from the members of "OM" in their own words: "We sing, play and create music and strive to bring it from our hearts with a hope to reach the hearts of our listeners." <<<more details >>>
The LEELA KATHAK DANCERS are the performance group of the Prabha Rustagi Memorial Trust. Urmila Nagar, Senior teacher of Jaipur Gharana Kathak Dance in the Kathak Kendra in New Delhi before her retirement, is their well loved Guru.
VadyaVrinda is an 'Indian Instrumental Ensemble' from Seattle. It is a unique and innovative group of musicians who together present a beautiful experience of sophisticated light and classical music by blending specialty Indian classical musical instruments.
The idea was envisioned and implemented by Anjali Joshi in October 2005. Since then, the group has performed all through US.
Rhythms of India Dance School
Bhangra was born as a folk dance to celebrate the warm harvest festival in Punjab, the northern state of India, and Pakistan. While it ushered the joyous month of harvest, it filled the air with sounds of drums, vocals and claps. Giving away the warm patriotism and music full of excitement. Bhangra took the form of boliyan (short poems) accompanied with the bass of the Dhol (drum).
Ratna Roy, Ph.D., started her training in Odissi dance in 1972. One of his seniormost disciples of the guru of gurus, Pankaj Charan das, she has performed extensively as a soloist in India, the USA, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, the Baltics, South Africa, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, China, and Japan. She formed her dance company Urvasi in 1975 to train dancers in the guru’s legacy. Today Urvasi is considered to be one of the ten foremost companies in the world. In the US she is well-known for her own choreography based on her dual heritage as an Indian and an American.
Anjuman: Indian/Afro-Cuban Ensemble is a Seattle based fusion group that combines the rhythmic vitality of salsa drumming with the melodic poignancy of East Indian ragas
Anjuman is Brandon McIntosh (sarod), Seth Littlefield (percussion) and Phil Georgas (bass). Anjuman regularly invites guest artists to perform with them. A few of the past performers are Archana Kumar (Indian kathak dancer), Johnny Conga (conga player), and Sri Neeraj Prem (sitar player).
Divya Indian Performing Arts Studio (D.I.P.A.S.) Bellevue, WA & Las Vegas, NV
Saramma George and daughter Divya John are trained in Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi. Divya has formally learned additional dance forms such as Jazz, Hip Hop, and Latin American Dance. Saramma is a reputed nurse in Nevada since 18 years, and daughter Divya John (22) is currently studying to become a medical doctor.
The dance form Kuchipudi (pronounced as 'Koochipoodi') developed in what is now known as the state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Kuchipudi derives its name from the village Kuchelapuram, where it was nurtured by great scholars and artists who built up the repertoire and refined the dance technique. With its fast rhythmic footwork and sculpturesque body movements, this dance form has become immensely popular all over the world.
Vidyalakshmi Vinod has been a performing artist for the past 20 years.She had the privilege of being a disciple of Padmashri Chithra Viswesaran and during the process she received Bharat kalachar scholarship for performing arts in bharathanatyam.
She learnt and adapted discipline and vigorousness of the art along with the grammar of Bharathanatyam. She had the privilege of touring various countries with her guru Chithra akka. Vidyalakshmi over the years has rendered many performances under the auspices of various organizations and various forms.
A fabulous tale about the value and result of true devotion. Watch how God bestows his grace on Gopal who sings the praise of Lord Krishna always versus Bhola who pleases the King with his flattery. The King is left wondering why his bias for Bhola has no effect on the turn of events….Enjoy the show with the colorful props, the wonderful narration and the melodious accompaniments!
Dr. Sonal Khullar phD will speak on the changing practices of Durga Puja in India, discussing images from recent celebrations of the festival in Calcutta and Delhi. She will illuminate the community of artists, artisans, patrons, priests, devotees and deities who participate in what could be considered the largest public art festival in the world. From cracking terracotta idols and ornate structures to ‘eye opening’ ceremonies and sumptuous decorations, Khullar will conjure the sights, smells, and sounds of this annual homage to the goddess.
