Performing Arts

Nrityanjali Performing Arts Division specializes in Indian folk and classical dances under the aegis of Dr. Tushar Guha, a long standing veteran in the field of music, dance and dramatics. An exponent in Indian folk dances having done extensive research on them for over 30 years, he is a dancer, singer, lyricist, music composer, choreographer, playwright and actor and has to his credit more than 2500 shows in various spheres of stage activity.

On the other side Dr. Guha is also an eminent corporate trainer, psychologist and educationist and the personality development pioneer in India. Under his able guidance, Nrityanjali artistes have performed in more than 2500 programmes across the country for various corporate houses and socio - cultural events. Some of prestigious events are Indian History Congress, The Geet Ramayan, Inauguration of L & T plant, BHEL's cultural event, the International Fleet Review, IIT International Conferences, Lion's International fund raising and several others. With a simple approach through music, dance and dramatics, Nrityanjali has a universal appeal and it is through this medium that it hopes to achieve the goal of social service.

Nrityanjali imparts lessons in Indian dance, music and drama.It also presents and performs the same (dance, music, drama) and tries to reach out to people both Indians and foreigners enabling them to grasp the nuances of the Indian performing arts in its various forms and thus providing people with an enriching experience.

This division also organises Festivals of regional Music, Dance and Dramatics. Music and dance recitals for the inmates of orphanages, old age homes, underprivileged and the terminally ill are also performed regularly.

1) Nrityanjali imparts training in Indian folk, classical, western dances, the finer nuances of performing arts, for professional dance performances along with training in music and drama.

"SUNDAY CLASSES" is the spirit of Nrityanjali and the centre of activity. Training in folk dances, drama and dance dramas is an integral part of the Sunday Classes. Here people of all ages learn together varieties of art forms free of cost.The Sunday Classes through their methodical interaction motivate and develop self-confidence, team spirit, leadership qualities and selfless attitude.

Oratory, compering, stagecraft, dress designing, make-up, stage management, choreography, in-depth knowledge of the art (history, geography, music, costume etc.), event management and the art of communication are the other aspects of these classes.

People trained in this class form the core group for Nrityanjali's professional performnaces. Registrations are open for all from the age of 12 years and above. There is no upper age limit

2) Alankar and Visharad (Post graduate and graduate) Courses in Indian performing art forms of Bharata Natyam Dance, Kathak Dance, Vocal music, Harmonium are held regularly being affiliated to the University Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.

3) Courses in Hindustani Sangeet and Rabindra Sangeet (Tagore's compositions) are offered along with training in playing the casio and harmonium.

Regular interaction among the management, teachers, students and parents are maintained. University examinations are held in April-May and November-December every year. Outside students and other institutions are also affiliated to Nrityanjali for purposes of University examinations. Nrityanjali is the POST GRADUATE centre of the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. Diploma examinations are also conducted at Nrityanjali for regular upgradation.

Registrations are open for all from the age of 4 years onwards. There is no upper age limit

4) Nrityanjali is also a consultant and trainer to various educational institutes, social organisations and corporate houses, designing their cultural programmes of music, dance and drama, in addition to training the participants in dance, music and drama.

Organisations that have been affiliated to Nrityanjali :

• Kalanjali, Dombivli, India (Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi)
• Omkar, Dombivli, India (Bharatanatyam)
• Soman's Institute, Dombivli, India (Bharatanatyam)
• Chitra Thakar's Kathak institute, Mumbai, India
• Sucheta Pal's Academy of dance, Connecticut, USA (Western dance and Bollywood)
• Vishesh Bollywood Academy, Bilaspur, India (Music and Dance)
• Sharada Sangeet Vidyalaya, Mumbai, India (Hindustani Sangeet)
• Parab's Tabla classes, Mumbai, India (Tabla)
• Kalyani Srinivasan's Carnatic Sangeet Vidyalaya, Mumbai, India (Carnatic Sangeet)
• Damle's Bharatanatyam Academy, Mumbai, India (Bharatanatyam)

For consultancy in performing art programmes please click here

For affiliation with Nrityanjali and Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and for enrollments please click here

India is known for her diverse traditions, from which originates the folk art. Primarily, folk dances are based on religious and festive occasions. They also reflect the basic ways of life.

Folk dances are aimed at providing entertainment, where classical art form is not involved and which involves group participation. The dances are very rhythmic and the lyrics and music have the typical overtone of the specific locality, which is being represented.

Nrityanjali specialises in folk dances from various states of India. For details please visit our Repertoire section.

For enrollments please click here

India has seven classical dance forms. They are Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, Odissi, Mohiniattam and Kuchipudi.

Nrityanjali offers performances in Kathak dance, Bharatnatyam dance and Kuchipudi dance.

Kathak dance belongs to the north of India and encompasses intricate footwork and pirouettes.

Bharatnatyam dance has its origin in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and is poetry in action. Basically a temple dance that specialises into "abhinaya" (expressions).

Kuchipudi dance is from the state of Andhra Pradesh. It has gained popularity in the post independence era. Mythological themes have remained the major content of the dance form as it developed during the Bhakti movement in the medieval period.

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Nrityanjali performs dance dramas based on social issues, written, composed and choreographed by Guru Dr. Tushar Guha. These dance dramas are range on a variety of themes like Victory of Good over evil, the Dilemma of a woman, Identity of a human being, Marriage and relationships, Advent of Shipping, Untouchability, Spirituality and Saints. Some of the dance dramas are Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Raag Ragini, Kalpana Lok, Kuhakini and Saagar.

The creative dances (non classical and non folk) designed to depict freedom and spontaneous expression are : "Om Shanti" , "Amantran" , " Aalap", "Archana", "Uphaar".

Nrityanjali has also performed and choreographed several dances and dance dramas based on Tagore's compositions in the Rabindrik style of dancing. Dance dramas Balmiki Protibha, Bhanushinger Padavali have received critical acclaim.

The plays written, scripted and directed by Dr. Tushar Guha are based on themes encompassing, comedy, satire and politics : Aatank, Hindustan Ki Kahani Ek Gaon Ki Zubaani and several others.

For enrollments please click here

Orchestra performances in Light music, Hindustani classical, Ghazalas as well Film music are a part of our performance repertoire.

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For Nrityanjali's complete Performing art repertoire please click here

Nrityanjali's Founder - Managing Director Dr. Tushar Guha's passion as an artiste took shape early when he started training in performing and fine arts since he was two and a half years old. He has trained in the basics of Indian Classical Dances of Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kathak at Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir at Kolkata while simultaneously pursuing dramatics and music under Guru Smt. Anima Roy. Being conferred the Best Child Actor Award by Mahabodhi Society was only an indication of the creativity which was to flower in abundance.

Tusharji's natural talent and potential made him emerge as a complete artiste-dancer, singer, choreographer, poet, lyricist, music composer, writer, playwright, director and actor. Pursuing Kathak and conducting indepth research on folk dances of rural India for 30 years, Tusharji successfully communicates the wealth of Indian folk dances of multiple states to the urban audience through his dance performances. The dances represent various states of India - Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Goa, Assam, Mizoram, to mention a few.

At the age of 15, he started Nrityanjali - the institute of music, dance, dramatics and personality developmentwhich has grown to be the premier institute of the country in performing arts and personality development. Nrityanjali artistes under his able choreography and direction have performed all over India for prestigious events and organizations like Kala Ghoda Festival, IIT International Conferences, INHS Asvini, BHEL, International Fleet Review and Doordarshan. Tusharji's compositions of dance dramas right from writing the script, composing the music and choreography, are exemplary in their content while showcasing his multiple features as a complete artiste. The compositions are extremely creative and popular, some of them having completed 100 shows. Kuhakini, Kalomegh, Buddham Sharanam Gacchami, Dulhan, Football, Kalapana Lok, Raag Raagini and Sagar have received critical acclaim for their unique features. His recent production is a 90 minutes dance drama SRI CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU. The dance drama is scripted, choreographed by Dr. Tushar Guha. He also plays the lead for the same.

Having performed in more than 2500 shows as a dancer, actor, choreographer Dr. Guha has received the Best Dancer Award, by Lions International. As humble as he is, Guru Tushar Guha is distinctive in that he imparts his art to his students at Nrityanjali, free of cost, without expecting any monetary returns.

He says "During my time, a male dancer was looked down upon. But I loved dance, worshipped the art form and against all odds I pursued it. When I look back I feel that if I had succumbed to the pressures then I could never have done the work I am doing today. It is important to continue with the work you love with dedication. Money is only consequential."

Tushar ji is a multidimensional person. While being an artiste he is also a Counsellor to numerous Corporate Houses, Organizations, Government and private Educational institutions as well as Educational Departments of various states. While pursuing the Arts, Tusharji completed his Masters in Economics. He created history in 2000 when he became the first doctorate in the world in Personality Development, USA having written on "Utilising the elements of Performing Arts & Psychology in Day to Day Life".

Guha ji says, "It is difficult for people to understand how I can be involved with the corporates, education, be a counselor, work with children and also be a performing artiste. Dance has given me so much. It has brought out the best in me and made me possible."

Golden Jubilee of Geet Ramayan from Maharashtra, India

Lezim – Ganpati Aradhana from Maharashtra, India

Dance Drama Buddham Sharanam Gachchami - Gori chalke

Dance Drama Buddham Sharanam Gachchami - Raghuvar

Folk Dance from Uttaranchal - Garhwali

Indian Classical Dance – Kathak

Dance from West Bengal – Anando Loke

Dance Drama Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Dance of the Goan people – Goa

Nrityanjali : Dr. Tushar Guha and Dr. Anonna Guha in the documentary on Folk dances Kauthik  a cultural journey

CONCEPT:

The Dance Drama is Conceptualised by Dr. Tushar Guha, with authenticated informations from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrata and Shri Shri Prema Dhama Deva Stotram led by Shripad Bhudev Prabhu, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is a dance drama of around 88 minutes based on the life of Shree Chaitanya born in 1486 AD.

The dance drama depicts the need for re-incarnation of Lord Shri Krishna as Nimai (later Chaitanya) and how the message of love and peace spread through his simple ways of life, his knowledge and his compassion. The entire theme has a musical treatment that is so endearing to the heart and soul.

Scenewise Explanation

Commencing with the background voice over of the chaotic social life of the 15th century, the scene opens with the prayer of Advaita Acharya Prabhu being answered and the birth of Nimai - the incarnation of Lord Shri Krishna. Nimai is born to Pt. Jagannath Mishra and Sachidevi in Nawadeepdham, Bengal on 4th february 1486. The dance drama progeresses with the different phases of Nimai's life - childhood, youth, His first marriage to Laxmipriya, his visit to East Bengal for Sankirtan and death of Laxmipriya till interval. The second half sees Nimai as a teacher of sanskrit, His second marriage to Vishnupriya, His famous debate with Pt. Keshav Kashmiri and the dream of Pt. Keshav that Nimai is Shri Krishna himself. Nimai's sankirtan spreads far and wide and He welcomes even the unsocial elements. Finally Nimai leaves home to take Sanyas and as Shree Chaitanya spreads the message of love and peace.

Treatment of Music

The music is composed and directed by Pt. Ronu Majumdar. The Bengali feel has strictly been retained yet creative music has been incorporated to give a very colourful visual dimension. The songs belong typically to that era and are common household tunes of every Bengali. "Jay Jay Gour Chandrer" - a prominent vaishnav chant, has been specially composed by Pt. Ronu Majumdar "Laglo Harir Luter bahar" is a prayer song sung during Krishna Aradhana. "Byakul Hoye" is a famous song of Tagore applied very effectively to suit the need of the scene. "Bhajo Gaurango" has been associated to Shree Chaitanya since the last 500 years "Hari Bol" is now famous among all sects of Krishna consciousness. Intrinsic pieces of music have been composed to highlight various situations and moods and the entire composition leads towards a crescendo in the finale

Concept, Script, Direction and Choreography : Dr. Tushar Guha
Music Composer : Pt. Ronu Majumdar
Music Arranger : Shri Durga Prasad Majumdar
Research and Compilation : Shri Sandeep Chakrabarty

CONCEPT:

Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education

• INHS Asvini
• T. S. Chanakya
• Maharashtra Judicial Academy & Indian Mediation Centre
• Wallem Shipmanagement Limited, Hongkong.
• HSBC
• Cynamide Agro Ltd
• Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
• Shipping Corporation of India Limited.
• Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation - MTDC
• Kala Ghoda Arts Fest
• IIT, Mumbai
• Guru Nanak Mission School
• Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd. - BHEL
• Green fields
• Manba Finance
• Lions International Group
• Rotary Club International
• Children's Academy group of schools
• National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
• Ministry of Cultural Affairs

Nrityanjali Dance Festival - Season 2 Report click here