What’s On

Talk on Bhagavat Gita

8 July, 7.45 - 9pm at Monash University,

LAW, Building 12, Lecture Theatre L1, Wellington Rd, Clayton, Vic. 3800. Talk by Sw. Sridharananda of Vedanta Centre of Sydney on Bhagavat Gita Ch. 9

9 July, 7.45 - 9pm at Monash University,

LAW, Building 12, Lecture Theatre L1, Wellington Rd, Clayton, Vic. 3800. Talk by Sw. Sridharananda of Vedanta Centre of Sydney on Bhagavat Gita Ch. 9

10 July, 10-11am at Monash University,

LAW, Building 12, Lecture Theatre L1, Wellington Rd, Clayton, Vic. 3800.Talk by Sw. Sridharananda of Vedanta Centre of Sydney on Bhagavat Gita Ch. 9

29 July, 7.45 - 9pm at Monash University, LAW, Building 12, Lecture Theatre L1, Wellington Rd, Clayton, Vic. 3800. Talk by Sw. Sridharananda of Vedanta Centre of Sydney on Bhagavat Gita Ch. 9

30 July, 7.45 - 9pm at Monash University, LAW, Building 12, Lecture Theatre L1,

Understandably, the stories of Nandanar and Kannappa Nayanar – two of the most famous Tamil Shaiva saints - were presented in some detail much to the audience’s delight, as almost everyone was familiar with these tales.

The orchestra consisted of Ahilan Sivananthan whose vocal was the centerpiece, and his voice did not once tire or shake during the 3 hour dance marathon. Ravichandhira on the mrdangam was impeccable as usual, and supported by two of his students.

Vasundhara Doraswamy, one of the most accomplished classical dancers in India, performed at the Chandler community centre on June 20. For the few who got to know of the event and made the effort on a Sunday afternoon to see it, it was a treat of the highest order. She is no ordinary dancer, but one who is so steeped in the knowledge and history of bharatanatyam, that it shone through from beginning to end. She is an A graded artist of Doordarshan, and belongs to the Pandanallur bani. She is also one of the disciples of the late Sri Pattabhi Jois, the great Yoga teacher who made Ashtanga yoga a household name all around the world. Most dancers slack off by the time they are in their 40’s, cutting short theermanams, omitting more physically demanding items such as tillana or kautuvam. But not so for Dr Doraswamy: despite having 40+ years of dancing to her credit, she performed for over 2 hours at a fast pace when the choreography demanded it, and her teermanams were crisp, complex and imaginative. The Kautuvam is a fairly demanding piece, and Dr Doraswamy’s choreography and presentation were most delightful. In the item “Harihara Ragale”, a dance depicting Lord Shiva’s majesty, based on the lyrics of a famous Kannada poet, she covered the stage and brought to life the spirit of the ‘tandava’ in the most difficult of poses which even the youngest dancers today are fearful of undertaking. In this, and the other padams and keertanams that followed in the second half, the audience was awestruck at Dr Doraswamy’s extraordinary story-telling abilities. Everyone could follow her depiction of the stories of Ganga’s flow broken by the matted locks of Lord Shiva; Subrahmanya’s courting of the maiden Valli; Lord Krishna’s pranks as a child and as the Lord of the Universe. Dr Doraswamy is truly a thinking person’s dancer. It was one of the best dance performances this reviewer had seen in her lifetime, and one hopes that the next time she is in Melbourne, more rasikas will have the opportunity to see her perform, because it is a treat not to be missed.

Chitra Sudarshan

Wellington Rd, Clayton, Vic. 3800. Talk by Sw. Sridharananda of Vedanta Centre of Sydney on Bhagavat Gita Ch. 9

31 July, 11am – 12noon at Monash University, LAW, Building 12, Lecture Theatre L1, Wellington Rd, Clayton, Vic. 3800. Talk by Sw. Sridharananda of Vedanta Centre of Sydney on Bhagavat Gita Ch. 9

Saaz Aur Aawaz

10 July from 8-11pm at Mount Street Neighborhood house, 6 Mount Street , Glen Waverly, MelRef: 71 D2, entry from Panoramic Gv Car park. Free light Indian musical evening presented by local artists. All welcome. For more details contact Satish Dutta on 0418179122

Vasudeva Kriya Yoga classes

17 July, 7:30am and 9am in Mulgrave, Camberwell and Donacaster; 18 July, 7:30 and 9am in Rowville. Theory and practice of yoga including asanas, pranayamas, kriyas and meditation techniques. Call Rajendra 0410 527904 /9802 8348; visit www.vasudevakriyayoga.com or email vasudevakriyayoga@gmail.com

Musical bonanza

25 July, 5pm sharp, at Spenserslive 419 Spencer Street, West Melbourne. Matthew Fagan and Voyages World Music Group feature Indian percussionist

Raju Sharma and sitar player Radhey

Gupta, fiery 10 string Spanish guitar, Flamenco and belly dance, world music grooves and many surprise guests. Pre sales: $17.00+b/f/ Door sales$20.00 or 18.00 concession. Tickets www.moshtix. com.au or 1300 438 849.

Cruise on the Yarra Countess

1 August, departure 5 pm sharp from Federation Wharf (Mel Ref: 2F H6) Corner of Princes Bridge (St. Kilda Rd) &

Federation Square. Cost: $65 per person, includes dinner, soft drinks, beer, wine and dance music. Contact S. Mudher: 0413760574, D. Kochar: 0413976394

Launch of AIBCT

5 August, 7 pm onwards at The Green Acres Golf Club, 51 Elm Grove East Kew. Launch of Australian Indian Benevolent and Charitable Trust by the Hon. Jeff Kennett. RSVP July 23. Donation $250 per couple. For bookings contact Arun Sharma on 0412 183 157.

2010 Celebrate India Festival

22 August from 5-9pm at OCA Pavilion, St Patrick’s College, 1431 Sturt St, Ballarat VIC 3000. Organised by Ballarat Indian Association Inc., the festival is dedicated to Indian arts, culture and food. Limited tickets. Contact Mukul Hatwal on mobile 0403 875 838 or e-mail mhatwal@mysoul. com.au for more information.

“I want everyone to participate in this amazingly creative and fulfilling process and I want to promote Tamil and Indian culture through this beautiful art form” Shantha