Ramayana Chanting

About The Artiste
G. RATHEESH BABU
  Our Correspondent, Bhopal, 27 May. 2013
Natya Choodamani, Nrityaavibhoshan,Natyakalabharathy Shri G. Ratheesh Babu is a disciple of Kalaimamani Padmashri Adayar K. Laxman; Chennai is a highly acclaimed and renowned dancer, who continues to be totally involved in the art both as a teacher and a performer.
Ratheesh was introduced to the world of Indian Classical Dance at the age of five under the tutelage of GURU Kalanilayam Krishnan Kutty, Kerala and he learned his first steps in Mohiniattam. Then he moved a head and learned the intricacies of Bharatnatyam and Kuchippudi dance form under the able guidance of Smt. Amritam Gopinath, Aryakalanilayam. Then he moved to Chennai to specialize in Bharatnatyam under the guidance of Kalaimamani Padmashri Shri Adayar K. Laxman, Chennai.Practiced Karnatic Music under the guidance of Shree Trissur. T Unnikrishnan, IKSV, Khairagarh.
He has displayed his immense talent by performing in all major Sabhas and festival in India and abroad. A graceful and gifted dancer, Ratheesh Babu is a classicist in the field of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. He is the Founder Director of ”NRITHYATHI KALAKSHETRAM” - School of Indian Classical Dance; Affiliated to Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya; Khairagarh - C.G. having national repute.
For sheer geometry of lines and precise structure beauty of form, he has stretched his capacity for
perfection to its utmost. By his astounding and exquisite dance dazed the audience with his scintillating
performances in India and Abroad. His versatile talent and her gracious inner artistic beauty won wide
acclaim from art lovers, connoisseurs & natyaacharyas for his spellbound performances and art critics as one of the best-recognized dancer.
He has also been adored with several prestigious awards from Govt, as well as renowned Cultural
Samathi’s. He has staged approximately 700 plus shows both Solo and group dances.
He also conducts workshops & Imparts training through Nrithyathi’s Learning Centers located at Raipur,
Bhilai, Durg, Nagpur,Bhopal,Hubli, Pune,Kannur, Vizag & Bangalore.


PERSONAL DETAILS-

Full Name :G Ratheesh Babu
Father’s name : Mr. P.G.Nair
Dt Of Birth : 26/05/1973
Qulaification : BA(English Lit) /Postgraduate Diploma in Bharathanatyam.
Specilisation :BHARATHANATYAM.

AWARDS AND HONOURS:

• Condered the tittle of “Natya Kala Choodamani” for yeoman service in the field of Bharathanatyam, Kuchippudi, Mohiniattam and folk dances – from Gana Mukundhapriya; Chennai in the year 2008.
• Nritya Vaibhawa Award from Akhil Bhartiya Sanskrutik Sangh. Pune (M.H.) May 2006.
• Lifetime Achievement Award by Himachal Tourism & All India Artist Association Shimla (H.P.) in the year 2005
• Awarded with Rashtriya Samaikya Bharat Gaurav Satkar by Madras Telgu Academy, Madras (Spirit of Unity Concert) in the year 2005

• Consecutive First Prize in group dance and Solo Dance in All India Dance Competition held at Shimla from 1992 to 2007.
• Balraj Sahani National Award by All India Artist Association; Mumbai - Shimla (H.P.). in the year 2003.
• Awarded with International Man of the Year 2001 by American Biographical Society, South Carolina (”WHO is WHO“, Prestigious International Magazine); USA in the year 2001.
• Gopi Krishna National Award from All India Artist Association, Shimla-1999.
• Received ”Rajhans“ National Award for best dance director for the year 1995-1996 and also in 1997-1998 from Kalanilayam, Chillakalurpetta, Guntur.
• Received Nrithyakala National Award for Best Dance Director in the year 1994 by All India Artist Association, Shimla.
• Honoured with ”G.C. Lagan Award” for outstanding performance in the field of dance from All India Artist Association, Mumbai.
• Gopi Krishna National Award from All India Artist Association, Mumbai –2007.
• Best Istitut of Indian Classical Dance 2007 from All India Artist Association, Mumbai.
• Bharat Nritya Gaurav Samman-2008 Navya Nataka Samiti Hyderabad A.P.
• Natyachoodamani from Ganamukundhapriya Chennai on December season 2008.
• Empaneled in ICCR as a Bharathanatyam Solo Dancer.(Established Dancer)
• Honoured with National award Rashtra Retna By Anthara Sangeeth Vidyalaya Burdwan, Kolkatta(W.B)2010.
• Nrithya Retna Award by Utkal yuva sanskrutik sangh Cuttuck, Orissa in association with Orissa Tourism on the occasion of Cuttuck Mahotsava 2010.
• Nrithya Vigyan award from Kalanilayam , Chilukaluripet, Guntur. AP May 2010.
• Excellency award 2010 in the field of Dance by Akhila Bharathiya Sanskrutik Sangh Pune.
• Best choreographer of the Year 2010 by AMETEUR ARTIST ASSOCIATION, MUMBAI. • NRITHYA RETNA 2011 award on International dance Fest. At Cuttuck on 16 Cuttuck(Orissa) by Utkal Yuva Sanskrutik Sangh, Cuttuck.
• # Awarded with Nrithyakalabharathy by Kerala samajam Durg CG. Through the hands of Famous ciniactress KPAC Lalitha.
• Rashtriya nrithyakalopasana award from True India Culturel society,Dombivali, Mumbai rd on 23
• Nrithyajyothi puraskar from Amateur Artist association Mumbai on 30
• Nrithya Koumudi Puraskar 2012 from Abhinaya Nruthya Bharathiu Eluru(AP).
• Natya Keerthi Manjeera National award by Nrithya kasuthubh Nrithyotsav 2013 by Satyanjali Kuchippudi academy => Kerala Cochin

• Awarded by Nataraja national dance fest. organized by kalamandir. peravur , kerala. th January at Dec.2012. th December 2012.

MAJOR STATGE PERFORMANCES:

Participated in more than 700 Plus Sabhas and Cultural Festivals in India and Abroad.

International Performances:

• Participated in FUSION 97 INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL held at Brussels, Liege and Paris.
• Participated in ISPHER 97 INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL PROGRAM at Seoul (South Korea).
• Conducted International Dance fest for three days 12,13 collaboration with Bhilai Steel Plant :”Nriithanrithyathi “ at Kalamandir, Bhilai.
National & State Performances:

• Group Performances of Mohiniattam and Bharatnatyam at Chakradhar Festival - Raigarh organized by Department of Culture and Tourism; Govt. of C.G. in the year 2006
• Represented BHILAI STEEL PLANT in All India Dance Competition at Shimla for consecutively 14 Years from 1992 to 2007.
• Performed in South Indian Cultural Association at Hyderabad (A.P.) in the year 2005
• Bharatnatyam Performance at Pune Festival- Pune (M.H.) in the year 2004.
• Kalidas Samaroh at Nagpur Conducted by MTDC 2000 & 2004
• Staged Ballet in Ayyappa Festival – Nagpur in the year 2002.
• Solo Presentation of Bharatnatyam Dance in “Bhouramdev Festival” organized by Department of Culture and Tourism; Govt. of C.G. in the year 2001
• Choreographed and Performed in Youth Festival at Nagpur on 2001.
• Performed in Caliber - 99 in an Indo – Soviet Infidnet at Nagpur University 1999.
• Composed and Staged in Mahabalipuram Dance Festival at Mahabalipuram, Chennai 1998.

• Performed in Ayyappa Festival in Kovai (Tamil Nadu) 1997.
• Participated as Nattuvangam and Vocal accompanist for Bharatnatyam performance in YUVA MAHOTSAVA 1997 at Latur by South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur, In 1998 at Ratnagiri (M.H.) and Vijayanagaram (A.P.)
• Performed in ”UniFest” an Inter University Festival in Kerela.
• Participated as vocal accompanist for Bharatnatyam performance in INTER UNIVERSITY YOUTH FESTIVAL 1996 held at Sagar (M.P.) and felicitated with first prize.
• Performed in “Nrityotsava” in All India Dance Festival at Bhilai.
• Stage performance in Rajim Lochan Mahotsav from 2002-2004 (Chhattisgarh).
• Stage performance in Pollachi Tamizhisai Sangam Pollachi from 2005 to 2009.
• Balijatra festival at cuttuck 2009
• Performed solo Bharathanatyam and Kuchippudi at Indira Gandhi Manav Sangrahalaya at Bhopal on 23
• Performed at Angul(Orissa) Govt. Fest. Kuchippudi and Bharathanatyam, 21 Nov’2009.
• PERFORMED IN Kalidas festival(MTDC) Nagpur 2010.
• Performed at sngds Fest. At Bhopal 2010.
• Performed Vasantha Krishna Ballet at Simla Kalibari on the occasion of All India Dance Comptn 2011.
• Performed in Rudra dhara Fest. At Rourkela on 22
• Group presentation art Kerala samajam durg on 24
• 11 October 2012(Sreekrishnam dance Drama).th
• Solo performance of Bharathanatyam at Mukthangan,,Dpt of Culture Raipur Chattisgarhon 24 December 11
. Honoured by BHILAI MALAYALA GRANDHASALA ON JAN’2012.
• Recognized examiner for IKSVV, Khairagarh.
• Performed at Tirupathi devasthanam in “NADANEERANJANAM FEST”.on July 14
• Performed at Guntur on 5
• Regular performer at Ganamukundhapriya Chennai.
• Performed at Natyaranga Fest on 30
• International Tourism day celebration at Raipur by Chattisgarh Tourism Dpt on 27 Sept.2012.
• Perfromed at Keralasamajam durg in the occasion of 10 Validictory function on 11
• Dasarah Fest at TDM Hall Cochin on 21 rd October 2009. nd august 2011. th Sept.2011. th December’11. th August’12 in Radhamadhava School of Dance. th August’12 at Bangalore Nayana Auditorium. th October 2012 st October 2012.
• ICCR Fest. On 5th March 2013 at Rabindrabharathy, Hyderababd.
• Nrithyakasthubh Nrithotsav, Trichure Regional Theatre. Kerala.5th April 2013
• Nrithanrithyathi 2nd edition at Kalamandir Bhilai,Chattisgarh.10th April 2013.



Ratheesh Babu.G
Web site.www.nrithyathi.com

Culture Minister condoles Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar’s death
 
Culture Minister Shri Laxmikant Sharma has expressed profound grief over the death of Dhrupad Guru Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar’s death. He said that Ustad Shri Dagar had contributed a lot to Dhrupad singing.

Shri Sharma has prayed to Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul.

Ram Navami Festival
 
Ram Navami Festival marks the birthday of Lord Rama, the one who is the protagonist of the famous epic, 'Ramayana'. This day falls on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra – similar in all parts of India. The human incarnation of Lord Vishnu is Lord Rama, who was the supreme power in Ayodhya. Celebrations for the festival of Ram Navami commences with a prayer to the Sun right in the morning. During midday, a special prayer is offered. The devotees sing special verses in praise of Lord Rama and get into the festive mood of Ram Navami. Then there are Rathyatras or chariot processions of Ram, his wife Seeta, and brother Lakshman along with the ardent devotee Hanuman that are organized by various temples. Many take a dip in the sacred water and while there are others who observe a fast. The center of celebrations is Ayodhya, where the majority of devotees throng to offer prayers. The Ram Navami festivities are marked with great enthusiasm.

The Ram-rajya (during the rule of Rama) concept was synonymous with a prosperous and peaceful period – which people still cite as examples. Several processions come out with people being dressed up in ancient costumes. The procession itself is a blustery affair with the members shouting aloud praises of Lord Rama. As a matter of fact, Sri-Ram Navami festival is an event where the reign of a king is commemorated who was afterward sanctified. The present day traditions of Ram Navami festival does indicate that the ancient times were the most sought after era of peace and prosperity. The festival of Ram Navami happens at the start of summer when the sun has started moving closer to the northern hemisphere.

The other indication of the sun was that it was considered to be the progenitor of Rama's dynasty, also known as the Sun dynasty. And the other names by which Rama was also known was Raghunatha, Raghupati, Raghavendra etc. he had been given all these names as somewhere they were related to Sun worship. Appreciably, the prehistoric Egyptians named the sun as Amon Ra or just as ‘Ra’. In Latin verbatim, the syllable Ra is used to imply light. For instance, the word Radiance means emission of light, or Radium, which denotes any material that emits light or brightness.

The occurrence of this ‘Ra’ syllable in majority of the names as used in Rama is highly synonymous with brilliance and brightness. It all must have had its origin much before the Ramayana. Sun has always been of great importance in the higher latitudes from where the Aryans are believed to have traveled into India. There were loads of royal dynasties that represented symbols of virility like the Sun, Eagle, Lion etc. as their progenitor. Rama's dynasty considered them to have its origin from the Sun. This is why linking with this event, Rama's birthday was also said to be a festival devoted entirely to the sun.

It is believed that Lord Rama accomplishes the wishes of all those devotees who pray to him on this auspicious day. On this festive day, temples get decorated and Lord Rama idol is richly decked up. There is a practice to read the holy Ramayana in the temples. A big fair is held at Ayodhya, at the birthplace of Sri Rama. It is in South India that the Sri Ramnavami Utsavam (festival) is celebrated for a continuous stretch of nine days. The traditional way of worshipping starts with singing Vedic mantras all dedicated to Vishnu, fruits and flowers are also offered to God. Satsangs and public gatherings are also planned for commemorating the birth of Lord Ram. Praises of Lord Rama are recited and devotees tend to follow all the traditional ways of worship.

Ms. Ganna Smirnova, noted Bharatnatyam dancer from Ukraine is in the capital on the invitation from the ICCR. She will perform on Tuesday at the Shaheed Bhawan.
While talking to the MetroMirror.com, she said that both Indian and Ukraine people are emotional and Ukraine people like India and the Indian Art & Culture.
Profile of Ganna Smirnova:

Dr. Ganna Smirnova is most easily recognized face in the field of Indian classical performing arts in the whole of East Europe. A performer, research scholar, cultural activist and organizer par excellence Ganna wears many a hats with much ease. She has been one of the few artiste of non Indian origin who have been conferred with the empanelment under the ICCR. She has been awarded a lot of national and international recognition for the outstanding service to promote and propagate Indian culture in her country, Ukraine and further bring a better cultural understanding between India and Ukraine.

A highly engaging performer Ganna has an institution named INDIAN THEATER NAKSHATRA based in Tarasa Shevchenko National University for past one decade, one of the premier seats of learning in the whole of East Europe. But much before that Ganna came 15 years ago under the ICCR scholarship in India and came to learn under the illustrious Guru Smt Jayalakshmi Eswar in Abhinaya Institute New Delhi. She went on to learn under the Guru Shishya parampara for more than 6 years and mastered the intricate nuances and the technicalities of this great art form. After her successful Arangetram, she went on to perform in the different parts of India with much critical acclaim and recognition. She has been honored with Nritya Shiromani and Natya Shaaradhi award for her contribution as an artiste. Her performances has been many a notable places that includes Natyanjali festival in Chidamabaram and Thanjavur, Uday Shankar dance festival, Rajgir Mahotsava, India International Center, India Habitat Center, Shanti Niketan, Indian cultural center Berlin, Moscow and London amongst others.

After her return from India, she established her center of Indian classical arts learning named INDIAN THEATER NAKSHATRA in the premises of the university and since than she has not looked back in her path to serve Indian culture.

She has organized the first International festival of Indian classical dances and music in the whole ofEast Europe named Nrityaanjali in her country inviting artiste from different parts of the world and India. She has written a research book for the Indian classical dances named Indian Temple dances - Tradition Philosophy and legends.

An irrepressible devotee to the culture of India, Dr. Ganna Smirnova crisis-crosses the geographical boundaries of the nations to perform and promote Indian culture in her highly sincere way...

Dr. Ganna would perform a solo Bharatnatyam Recital on 12th Feb. 2013 at Shaheed Bhavan Auditorium at 7.00 pm under Horizon Series of ICCR, Bhopal

Bhopal to give a glimpse of globe s Tribal Culture
  With a view to preserving and promoting the tribal culture prevalent world over, an International Tribal Film Festival has been planned to be organised here from March 20 to March 22, 2009. The three-day international event to be hosted by the state's Tribal Welfare Department, will be held at the Ravindra Bhawan. Films focussed on the life of tribal people living all over the world will be screened in this film festival and the films adjudged best would be awarded. Presentation of tribal folk dance and music will be the other highlights of this mega event. Further, film makers producing films on tribal folk drawn from different countries of the world are also being invited to be a part of this colourful international event.

Tribal Film Festival between March 20 and 22.
Foreign entries continue to pour in Best films will be awarded.
Folk artistes to participate in the international event.
Best dance, drama troupes will get award.

All the formalities, regarding grand hosting of film festival are being completed. The department is in constant touch with embassies, film producers, artistes of country and abroad. A big number of foreign tribal film makers are expected to participate in the film festival. The films adjudged best would be awarded. These films would also be screened at Ravindra Bhawan and Shaheed Bhawan. The publicity and nomination process for films are being carried out at international level. Folk artistes from different parts of the state would perform during the festival.

It may be mentioned that the world's first ever international tribal film festival was organised at Indore, last year. Over 248 entries form over 40 countries participated in.