Sujata is an experienced and professional choreographer, director and workshop leader who has toured extensively around the world. A mesmerising and engaging performer, Sujata is skilled in a wide range of dance, including kathak, folk, bharatnatyam, odissi and kalari. Sujata also features on our forthcoming Reel Lives Kolkata DVD.
Quotes
"The performances were magical, I could hardly believe that these were the same awkward children we usually see around school. Many thanks for organising this - it transforms the school and is a unique experience the children (and staff) would not have otherwise " Danecourt Special School, Kent
Classical Indian dance and movement for storytelling - Kathak (form of classical Indian dance)
History of workshop
Traditionally, Indian stories are told through movement and dance, with great emphasis
on expression and hand gestures. Using the body as a medium of communication, dance is perhaps the most intricate and developed yet most easily understood art form.
Dance in India has seeped into several other realms such as story, poetry, sculpture, architecture, literature, music and theatre. All dance forms are thus structured around the nine 'rasas' or emotions: hasya (happiness), krodha (anger), bhibasta (disgust), bhaya (fear), shoka (sorrow), viram (courage), karuna (compassion), adbhuta (wonder) and shanta (serenity). All dance forms follow the same hand gestures, or hasta mudras, for each of these rasas. Dances also differ according to local demands and needs.
The stories focus on Hindu gods and centre around passing on knowledge and awareness of creation and moral issues.
Content
The artist will do some warm-up exercises that prepare the body and mind for Indian dance. These are simple rhythm and movement activities and games that demonstrate: awareness of space and the body; shape and rhythm.
The group will then be introduced to a traditional Indian story, watch the artist perform the dance relating to the story, and will then take part in dancing a part of the story.
Ages/abilities
KS1 and above
SEN
INSET
Conferences
Training and teambuilding exercises
Numbers
One class size per workshop - maximum of three workshops per day.
Time needed
Minimum 60 minutes. A whole day working with one class can achieve several dances and a deeper understanding of Indian dance and story issues, as well as greater cultural understanding of India.
Space needed
School hall
Equipment/facilities to be provided by the school
CD player and flipchart, children need to be wearing PE kits and have bare feet.
School/class preparation for artist's visit
Look at map, find India and talk about travel and distance to and from UK
Discuss climate, currency, flag, links to UK, weather, animals, celebrities, food etc.
As groups, or a class, prepare questions for the artist on the day
Brainstorm what the children already know about India before seeing the artist
Use the internet and books to learn about daily life in India
Brainstorm after the artist's session when the children have more understanding of India and have researched certain aspects.
Is there a change in their ideas of India and Indian life?
Classical Indian dance and movement for storytelling - Kathak
History of workshop
Traditionally, Indian stories are told through movement and dance, with great emphasis
on expression and hand gestures. Using the body as a medium of communication, the expression of dance is perhaps the most intricate and developed, yet easily understood art form.
Dance in India has seeped into several other realms such as story, poetry, sculpture, architecture, literature, music and theatre. All dance forms are structured around the nine rasas or emotions, hasya (happiness), krodha (anger), bhibasta (disgust), bhaya (fear), shoka (sorrow), viram (courage), karuna (compassion), adbhuta (wonder) and shanta (serenity).
All dance forms follow the same hand gestures or hasta mudras for each of these rasas. The dances differ according to local demands and needs. The stories are based on Hindu gods and focus on passing on knowledge and awareness of creation and moral issues, stressing the need to do your best every day.
Content
The artist will do some warm-up exercises that prepare the body and mind for Indian dance. These are simple rhythm and movement activities and games that demonstrate: awareness of space and the body; shape and rhythm.
The group will then be introduced to a traditional Indian story, watch the artist perform the dance relating to the story, and will then take part in dancing a part of the story.
Ages/abilities
KS1 and above
SEN
INSET
Conferences
Training and teambuilding exercises
Numbers
One class size per workshop - maximum of three workshops per day.
Time needed
Minimum 60 minutes. A whole day working with one class can achieve several dances and a deeper understanding of Indian dance and story issues, as well as greater cultural understanding of India.
Space needed
School hall
Equipment/facilities to be provided by the school
CD player and flipchart, children need to be wearing PE kits and have bare feet.
School/class preparation for artist's visit
Look at map, find India and talk about travel and distance to and from UK
Discuss climate, currency, flag, links to UK, weather, animals, celebrities, food etc.
As groups, or a class, prepare questions for the artist on the day
Brainstorm what the children already know about India before seeing the artist
Use the internet and books to learn about daily life in India
Brainstorm after the artist's session when the children have more understanding of India and have researched certain aspects.
Is there a change in their ideas of India and Indian life?
