Namaste,
Indian culture today has a distinct identity enlivened through Temple traditions. Indian dance forms associated with the evolution and development of Temple arts speak volumes of the great cultural endeavour. Indian dance forms as practiced today have captured global attention sensitising the Indianness in all the cultural vistas of the world.
India offers a number of classical dance forms, each of which can be traced to different parts of the country. Each form represents the culture and ethos of a particular region or a group of people. The most famous classical forms are BHARATANATYAM of Tamilnad, KATHAKALIand MOHINIYATTAM of Kerala, ODISSIof Orissa, KATHAK of Uttarpradesh, KUCHIPUDI of Andhrapradesh and MANIPURI of Manipur.
Dance forms were nurtured with a purpose in the sacred premises of temples. Temple dancing had a mission: to take art to the people and conveying a message to the masses. The monotony of the life of commonness as well as the elite was equally shared in the premises of a Temple. True religion sanctified every element with a touch of beauty.
Art was an effective means to suggest the cosmic truth touching the hearts of the devotees through dance, music, sculpture, architecture or a piece of jewellery, when compared to the effect created by rigid ritualistic practices
Sheetal, founder of Shital Arts, has been a Bharatnatyam dancer since she was 5 years old. She has been performing and teaching this traditional dance form for almost 6 years now. After having a huge success in India, Sheetal has now moved to LA where she continues to share her tremendous knowledge of this dance. She has a diploma in dance from the most renowned dance Institute of India called Nalanda University. She finished her Arangetram (the final mastery of Bharatnatyam) at the age of 16. She conducts classes in Canoga Park and also does private lessons. Besides dancing she also teaches Yoga and is an awesome henna tattoo artist.
Sheetal just did a performance at the California State University Northridge (CSUN) for their International Open Market Festival to spread more awareness about this gracious dance. This was featured in the Sun Dial Magazine – [http://sundial.csun.edu/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/11/21/4381fe76b3090]
Classes are located in the following locations:
1. Canoga Park, San Fernando Valley
2. Los Angeles, Culver City (Pico + La Brea) close to Korea town, Hollywood
If you are looking to learn about this awesome dance form or need an artist for performance – please call us on the numbers below and we will be glad to help you.
Blessings!
