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Sri Ram Madhurya: A Unique Kathak-Katha-Kutcheri by Sunil Sunkara & Vanitha Suresh
The Statesman
|January 11, 2025
Brahma Gana Sabha witnessed the premiere of "Sri Ram Madhurya" on 3 January this year, during their Marghazi Dance Festival.
This groundbreaking production seamlessly blended the classical traditions of Kathak and Carnatic music with literature in various languages, exploring the nuanced emotions of love between Ram and Sita.
Sunil Sunkara, a Kathak artist and scholar, recipient of the Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, led the performance. Known for his extensive research on the temple traditions of dance in India, Sunil has earned the Nritya Nipun from Bhatkhande Sangit Vidyapith, Lucknow, and an MA in Kathak (awarded the Acharya Parvatikumar Gold Medal) from Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek. Trained under Gurus Renu Sharma, Saswati Sen, and the legendary Pt Birju Maharaj at Kalashram, Sunil is currently pursuing his PhD at the Sri Sri Centre for Advanced Research in Kathak under Puru Dadheech and Vibha Dadheech. As the Dance Academic Head of the World Forum for Art and Culture (WFAC), under the aegis of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji, Sunil is celebrated for his storytelling prowess in Kathak, where he revives lesser-known characters and narratives.
Collaborating with Sunil was Vanitha Suresh, a renowned musician, educator, and arts promoter from the USA. A disciple of Sangeet Samrat Chitravina N Ravikiran and Acharya Pitaamaha Chitravina Narasimhan, Vanitha has performed extensively in India and abroad. She is the founding director of SciArt Services, Melharmony Foundation, and Arohana Arts Academy, and is known for curating interdisciplinary collaborations and ensemble events.
Exploring Ram Madhurya Bhakti
This story is from the January 11, 2025 edition of The Statesman.
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