EWSOD Anniversary Program

INTERNATIONAL INDIAN DANCE INC
“NATYADHARMA” -- A Non Profit Organization
on the occasion of 27th anniversary of EAST-WEST SCHOOL OF DANCE

We request the pleasure of your company to witness
the cultural program directed by Guruji Pandit. S.N. Charka
and certificate awarding ceremony
on Saturday, December 13th, 2008 at 3:00pm.
Saraswati Hall
Hindu Temple Society of North America
45-57 Bowne Street, Flushing, NY 11355
For directions please visit http://www.nyganeshtemple.org/

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Presents the Ramayana

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has asked Pt. Charka & the East-West School of Dance to present the Ramayana at the Met as part of its Diwali celebrations! We look forward to seeing you at this prestigious event.
Saturday, October 11th, 2008 @ 6:30pm
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium
1000 Fifth Avenue @ 82nd Street, New York, NY 10028
Free with Museum Admission

Also, come out and show your support for the School at this year's Diwali Mela at the South Street Seaport on Sunday, October 5th. It's sure to be a fun afternoon with great performances, food, music, and...fireworks!

Mid-Summer Update

It's been a busy summer so far for the East-West School.

Pt. Charka and his family, accompanied by students Kavita Tajeshwar and Anisha Muni, enjoyed a short trip to California in June, and were honored to present a program for the 35th anniversary of the Yoga Society of San Francisco. Some highlights below, courtesy of Marcelo and Robert.

Kathak students had a special treat this June--the legendary Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj visited New York as part of his tour of the U.S, celebrating a lifetime in dance, and his 70th year. He was accompanied by the very talented Saswati Sen and Mahua Shankar. The image below is from a private event hosted by Tamarind Art.

Following this, Kavita Tajeshwar and Anisha Muni performed for Akhil Vishwa Hindi Samiti for their annual convention held in New York.

2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the Ananda Ashram in Monroe, NY. As part of the anniversary festivities, the East-West School has had the opportunity to present Kathak at the July 4th celebration as well as the annual Ramayana. Glimpses from the July 4th program below.

Ashni and Shivani Dave opened the presentation with an invocation, followed by a thumri and ghazal.

Anisha Muni presented technical items from the Kathak repertoire.

Pt. Charka offered a rare treat for the audience--a spontaneous experimental item.

Finally, a hearty congratulations to Ashni & Shivani Dave and their family on the occasion of their Rang Manch Pravesh on 7/26!

Upcoming Events:
7/28 - 8/1 Kathak Camp

8/16 Babaji's Birthday Celebration

8/23 Krishna Leela dance-drama

Upcoming San Francisco Concert

Pt. Charka will be presenting an Evening of Kathak in San Francisco, on Saturday June 14th. He will be accompanied by his students Kavita Tajeshwar and Anisha Muni.

When: Saturday, June 14th @ 8pm
Where: The Yoga Society of San Francisco, 2872 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA 94110

Also, check out Indian Era for an exclusive article covering Kathak Parampara, presented earlier this month. Pictures and videos from the event are also available.

"Kathak Parampara" at the Theater for the New City

The East-West School of Dance, NY, in association with the Trinayan Collective & Kinding Sindaw’s Dancing Across Borders & will be presenting “Kathak Parampara” as part of Stirring Rhythms: Merging Ancient Dance Rituals with the Contemporary Human Experience, 5 nights of Asian dance and music.
Under the able guidance of Pandit Satya Narayana Charka, the East-West School of Dance will explore Kathak’s history—from the Hindu temples where it began, to the courts of Mughal kings, where it was nurtured, taught, and given a Persian touch—eventually becoming a mixture of both Hindu and Muslim cultures. In this age of war and unrest, Kathak dance with all its depth and beauty, reveals how art is able to bring love and unity to the world. The program will take place on Saturday, May 17th, at 3pm at the Theater for the New City.

Drums Along the Hudson 2008

Come out this weekend for Lotus Music & Dance's Drums Along the Hudson!

Date/Time: Saturday. May 3rd, 11:00 - 6:00 PM

Location: Inwood Hill Park, 218th Street, Manhattan

Admission is FREE!

Pandit Charka will be co-presenting "Along the Caravan Route" with noted Flamenco and Middle Eastern artistes at 4pm on the Main Stage.

Also, watch this space for pictures/videos from recent programs to be uploaded soon!

Upcoming Ramnavami Performance

The EWSOD Queens Center will be celebrating Ramnavami with a unique cultural program at 6pm on Sunday, April 20th in the Hindu Temple of Flushing's Saraswati Hall.

The main attraction of the evening is a scene from the dance drama, the Children's Ramayana, performed entirely by the youngest students of the EWSOD. The students will be presenting The Wedding of Sita. In this chapter of the Ramayana, King Janak plans a swayamvar for his daughter Sita. Those who can lift and string the mighty bow of Lord Shiva will be considered. Finally the young prince Ram succeeds in winning Sita's hand. However things are complicated when Parashuram comes to challenge Ram.

Following this glimpse into the story of the Ramayana, the intermediate and senior students of the East-West School will present colorful and dynamic dances from the Kathak repertoire. Ranging from the most graceful and expressive abhinaya compositions describing the love of Radha and Krishna to the nritta (pure dance) pieces exemplifying the swift circles, sharp lines and fast footwork of Kathak technique, the students will demonstrate the wide and varied appeal that Kathak dance offers.