namaste,
Indian culture today has a distinctive identity enlivened through the traditions of the Temple. The Indian dance forms associated with the evolution and development of the temple arts speak volumes of the great cultural endeavor. Indian dance forms as practiced today have captured global attention by raising awareness of the Indian character in all cultural perspectives around the world.
India offers a number of classical dance forms, each of which can be traced back to different parts of the country. Each shape represents the culture and spirit of a particular region or group of people. The most famous classical forms are BHARATANATYAM from Tamilnad, KATHAKALI and MOHINIYATTAM from Kerala, ODISSI from Orissa, KATHAK from Uttarpradesh, KUCHIPUDI from Andhrapradesh and MANIPURI from Manipur.
Dance forms were purposely nurtured in the sacred facilities of temples. The temple dance had a mission: to bring art to the people and convey a message to the masses. The monotony of common and elite life was shared equally in a temple facility. The true religion sanctified each element with a touch of beauty.
Art was an effective means of suggesting cosmic truth by touching the hearts of devotees through dance, music, sculpture, architecture, or a piece of jewelry, compared to the effect created by rigid ritual 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. After having great success in India, Sheetal has now moved to Los Angeles where she continues to share her tremendous knowledge of this dance. She has a diploma in dance from the most renowned dance institute in India called Nalanda University. She finished her Arangetram (the final mastery of Bharatnatyam) at the age of 16. She teaches at Canoga Park and also gives private lessons. Apart from dancing, she also teaches yoga and is an amazing henna tattoo artist.
Sheetal just put on a performance at California State University Northridge (CSUN) for their International Open Market Festival to spread more awareness of this graceful dance. This appeared in Sun Dial magazine – [http://sundial.csun.edu/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/11/21/4381fe76b3090]
Classes are located at the following locations:
1. Canoga Park, San Fernando Valley
2. Los Angeles, Culver City (Pico + La Brea) near Korea City, Hollywood
If you are looking to learn about this incredible form of dance or need an artist for a performance, please call us on the numbers below and we will be happy to assist you.
Blessings!