Attendance - The dance Annual of India, covers a year (1st Jan-31st Dec) in perspective, and has been serving the cause of dance, history and heritage, garnering for itself a prominent place on the book shelves of Universities and art Institutions the world over.
Edited, compiled and published by the renowned dance historian and writer, Ashish Mohan Khokar; Attendance is a Hardbound edition in colour, Art-paper, that brings the many worlds of Indian dance into our lives.
Attendance turns 16 this year
Renowned dancer, choreographer, scholar and writer, Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant who was invited by attendance to be the Guest Editor, for the 16th edition; has chosen to dedicate this annual issue, to the composite and combined classical dance traditions of the Telugu people.
The issue, titled 'Telugu Traditions' , is a comprehensive compilation and curation, that spans, Telugu dance traditions in its myriad manifestations, through the fading voices of nonagenarian Gurus, coursing through the vision of extraordinary performers and teachers, across nearly a century, who have written with their ankle bells, the history, of Telugu Yakshagana, Kuchipudi, Andhra Natyam, Vilasini Natyam and Perini, which have their origins in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A host of articles, interviews, personal memoirs, books, research articles, and write¬ups reconstruct the creative journey of the many extraordinary artistes, and encompasses the warp and weft of Telugu Classical Dance Traditions.
The scope of the Annual is large : with nearly 55 articles, under 15 sub headings, covering 10 scholarly articles under Overview, 6 artistes share their unique bond with their respective Gurus, 6 leading artistes invite us into their personal journeys, through individual memoirs and interviews, 2 articles that cover the sweep of Telugu literature that informs so much of the aural firmament of most south Indian dance forms, 8 in depth articles on repertoire., covering Sabdams, Bhamakalapam, Golla Kalapam, Yakshagana, Simhanandini etc; 6 pathbreakers holding the Kuchipudi flag aloft overseas, alongside features of senior performers and teachers in India (7 artistes), male dancers making a mark (9 dancers),rising stars (5 dancers), generation next (5 artistes), as well as 2 young children who we think will be the future of the art form.
I have also chosen to look at dance on celluloid (5 articles) Shankarabharanam, K Viswanath, Ghantasala, Gurus and dance choreographers for the silver screen, the iconic Bapu Bommalu that highlights the Navarasa, as well as some of our much sought after music composers.
And of the beautiful and grand spaces created by some of our much revered art lovers who also happen to be bureaucrats (3)
A Kuchipudi stamp released in 1975,and the Guinness attempt, also find space
The 16th edition of Attendance, encompass the warp and weft of Telugu Dance Traditions dance
The national Release of the 220 page, multi colour book, beautifully designed by Pratima Sagar, is scheduled on 22nd July 2014
Sri IYR Krishna Rao The Hon'ble Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, has kindly consented to release of 1st copy of attendance 2014 - Telugu Traditions , on Tuesday the 22nd of July 2014 at 7 pm at NTR Kala Mandiram ,PS Telugu University, Public Gardens Road, Hyderabad
Renowned poet and litterateur, Dr Rallabandi Kavita Prasad, Director Culture and Tourism, Government of Telangana, will receive the first copy, in the august presence of Senior Gurus and artistes
A cultural Programme will also feature a short montage of 15 years of attendance and Kuchipudi Vandana by disciples of Deepika Reddy
Copies can be had by becoming members of Dance History Society.
Copies can also be purchased (Price Rs 1000/-)
For further details: www.attendance-jndia.com ;
[email protected]
Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant, is celebrated as one of India's most eminent and renowned classical dancers
Performing in the two classical styles of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, Ananda, imbues to the technique and grammar of her dance, a sparkling quality that bristles with life.
Dancing with joy, Ananda, has polished her art to a fine pitch, where, the rigor of her training, her dedication and commitment meet a finely tuned intellect that effortlessly bridges traditional structures with contemporary inputs.
Engaging in every aspect of dance, Ananda, is a prolific solo and ensemble performer, a much loved teacher and Guru , a critically acclaimed and brilliant choreographer, and is a sought after motivational and leadership speaker and writer. Her curatorial acumen has seen her presenting highly acclaimed dance festivals and conferences
As the Artistic Director of Shankarananda Kalakshetra , Ananda leads an acclaimed ensemble, besides training and presenting the next generation of Bharatanatyam artists Ananda has been conferred the "Padma Shri" in 2007 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar for Bharatanatyam in 2009, the Kalaratna from the Government of AP in2008 and the Kalaimamani from the Govt of Tamil Nadu in 2002
A TED speaker in 2009, Ananda's TED talk is much viewed and highly ranked . A senior officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service, Ananda is currently posted in Hyderabad.
Prof.Ashish Mohan Khokar is a reputed dance historian, biographer, critic and author of over 40 books on Indian arts and culture. He is the curator and custodian of India's largest dance archives built by his late father, the pioneering scholar Prof. Mohan Khokar.
He has helped bridge the gap between tradition and contemporary dance cultures of India. He has done this with dignity and integrity, maintaining the highest standards of our shastric discipline.
Shri Khokar has served govt, of India in many capacities, nationally and internationally. He has also mentored many youngsters and instituted awards and internships that help them, in their artistic journey . He also helped revive male solo dancing.
His films on dance, discourses and critiques through 35 years of in depth writings, as the TIMES OF INDIA dance critic in Delhi and Bangalore and editing publishing of India's only yearbook on dance - attendance- have contributed significantly to our understanding and appreciation of the dance heritage and history.
He is internationally hailed as the gold standard in dance writing and documentation, and in conceptualising, and publishing over the last 16 years, India's unique yearbook on dance.
