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Dec 29, 2004
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Bharatanatyam Presentation - Lakeview Public Library
Meenakshi Ganesan and the Kalaanjali students presented a 1-hour Bharatanatyam
concert at the Madison Public Library - Lakeview Branch on the special occasion of Christmas
celebration. The event was very well received by the largest audience that the library had
ever hosted as of that day. Top
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Dec 9, 2004
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Interfaith Awareness Week - Wisconsin State Captiol
On behalf of the American Hindu Association (AHA), Meenakshi performed
Bharatanatyam items to inaugurate the cultural programs at the Interfaith Awareness Week
celebrations held at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Top
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Nov 20, 2004
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Inaugural event - Greater Milwaukee Tamizh Sangam
The Greater Milwaukeee Tamizh Sangam (GMTS) invited the Kalaanjali dancers to perform at their inaugural event
held on the occasion of Diwali. The Kalaanjali students performed a traditional
Bharatanatyam item as well as a Bharatanatyam fusion item. Top
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Nov 19, 2004
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Y World Celebrations
The YMCA invited the Kalaanjali dancers to perform at the Y World Celebrations. It was the
first time ever that Bharatanatyam has been performed at a Y World Celebration.
Kalaanjali students presented 1/2 hour of Bharatanatyam dances,
starting with a traditional invocation, followed by several Bharatanatyam items and concluding
with a mangalam. Top
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Nov 13, 2004
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Diwali Celebration - American Hindu Association
The Kalaanjali students presented several Bharatanatyam items including
a fast paced Mallari and a depiction of the mythological story of
Lord Krishna as a child. Top
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Nov 10, 2004
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Diwali Celebration - Indian Graduate Students Association
By invitation, the students of the Kalaanjali School of Dance & Music performed a
Bharatanatyam item at the Indian Graduate Students Association's (IGSA) 2004 Diwali
Celeberations held at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Top
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Nov 7, 2004
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Diwali Celebration - Association of Indians in America
Students of the Kalaanjali School of Dance & Music presented several Bharatanatyam
items at the annual Diwali celebration organized by the Association of Indians in
America (AIA). Top
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Nov 7, 2004
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Navarasa - Middleton Public Library
Meenakshi Ganesan and students of the Kalaanjali School of Dance & Music presented a
90-minute Bharatanatyam concert on the theme of Navarasa, which are the
9 rasas (i.e. "mood", "sentiment", "feeling", or "emotion") prescribed in the Natyashastras. The 9 rasas
are Shringaara (love), Haasya (laughter), Karuna (compassion), Roudra (anger), Veera (courage),
Bhayaanaka (fear), Bheebhatsya (disgust), Adbutha (wonder), and Shaanta (tranquility). The Navarasa theme
was depicted using numerous stories and was presented by students of ages spreading across several decades.
The performance was very well received and was attended by
100+ members. Top
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Nov 06, 2004
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IndUS Celebration
Meenakshi was invited as a guest artist by the Fox Valley IndUS association and Univeristy of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
for their annual IndUS Celebration. Meenakshi presented a creative Bharatanatyam
performance on the theme of 'Architecture of India'. Top
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Oct 31, 2004
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Friendship Force of Wisconsin
Kalaanjali students presented a Bharatanatyam performance for the
Friendship Force of Wisconsin in Verona at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Top
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Oct 23, 2004
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Dassera Celebration - American Hindu Association
The Kalaanjali students presented two Bharatanatyam items - an
invocation dance and a Devi Sthuthi - for the annual Dassera celeberations held by
American Hindu Association. Top
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Oct 23, 2004
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Edgerton Performing Arts Center
By invitation from the Call For Peace Dance and Drum Company, Meenakshi presented an
Indian Folk Dance at the Edgerton Performing Arts Center in Edgerton,
Wisconsin. On this occasion, the Call For Peace Dance and Drum Company presented the Humanitarian
award to President Jimmy Carter. Top
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Oct 10, 2004
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Sauk City Sesquicentennial Celebrations
By invitation from the Call For Peace Dance and Drum Company, Meenakshi presented a Bharatanatyam
dance at the River Arts Performing Center, on the occassion of the
Sauk City Sesquicentennial Celebrations. The performers received a
standing ovation from the audience. Top
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Oct 3, 2004
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Fitchburg Community Center
Meenakshi and the Kalaanjali students presented a 90 minute showcase on Bharatanatyam dance and the ballet 'Priyam Bharatham' at the Fitchburg Community center.
For this special event, Kalaanjali has invited guest artist Gayatri Subramanian, a Bharatanatyam dancer since
20+ years, who performed several items together with Meenakshi. The event was very well received and attended by 100+ American
and Indian audience members.Top
Venue: The Fitchburg Community Center, 5510 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI. (608) 270-4290
Click here for a map to this venue, courtesy of MapQuest.
Cost: Free!
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Sep 18, 2004
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Overture Center - Grand Opening Ceremony, Madison, WI
Meenakshi was invited to collaborate with the Call For Peace Dance and Drum Company
and represent Indian dance and culture at the Grand Opening Ceremony
of The Overture Center in Madison, WI. Top
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Sep 18, 2004
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India Day - Association of Indians in America (AIA), Madison, WI
The Kalaanjali students presented four Bharatanatyam dances at this annual India Day
event organized by the Association of Indians in America. Top
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Sep 11, 2004
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"Kids for Peace" - Children's Museum, Madison, WI
Meenakshi and the Kalaanjali dancers presented a 1/2 hour Bharatanatyam program at
the Madison Children's Museum. The concert commenced with a traditional prayer, included
several Bharatanatyam dances, and ended with a brisk Thillana by Meenakshi. The Kalaanjali
students also presented a Bharatanatyam dance as part of the Call for Peace Dance &
Drum Academy's "The Next Generation". Top
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Sep 5, 2004
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"Krishna Leela" - Hindu Temple of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
On the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami celebration at the Hindu
Temple of Wisconsin, Meenakshi and numerous Kalaanjali students presented a
one-hour Bharatanatyam concert titled "Krishna Leela". The choreographies were on items
depicting the life, acts and roles of Lord Krishna. The performace was attended by 300+ audience
members, who appreciated the performances with a final standing ovation.
Top
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Aug 28, 2004
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Raksha Bandhan Celebration - American Hindu Association (AHA), Madison, WI
Kalaanjali students presented three traditional Bharatanatyam dances and a special ballet
choreographed for the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Top
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Aug 24, 2004
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"Bharatam" - Verona Senior Center
Meenakshi and numerous Kalaanjali students presented a 1-hour themic Bharatanatyam and semi-classical
dance presentation called "Bharatam" at the Verona Senior Center. The program was very well received
by the audience which included local seniors - both American as well as Indian. Top
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Aug 21, 2004
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Bharatanatyam Performance - Hindu Spiritual Wedding, Madison, WI
Meenakshi and Kalaanjali student Shivanthi Mahendran presented 1/2 hour of
traditional Bharatanatyam dances at a Hindu spiritual wedding ceremony held at the Memorial Union.
Some of the choreographed items were specifically selected for the event of the wedding, and depicted
the theme of pure and unconditional love that must endure in a couple. Top
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Jun 6, 2004
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Race Unity Day, Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison, WI
Meenakshi will be presenting an invocatory Bharatanatyam
padam on Lord Ganesha, which will be followed by a traditional Bharatanatyam Mallari by
Kalaanjali students on the occasion of Race Unity
Day, an annual rally to promote awareness and cooperation between people of different
races. Top
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May 22, 2004
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"Shivoham" concert, Hyde Center For Yoga and the Vedic Arts, Ridgeway, WI
Tickets: $15/person
Meenakshi presented a 1 hour traditional Bharatanatyam concert
as a tribute to Lord Shiva. The themic classical presentation is named "Shivoham" in praise
of the Lord Shiva who is deep within each of us. All the choreographed Bharatanatyam dances were on
musical compositions depicting the various characteristics and nature of Lord Shiva. Top
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May 11, 2004
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"One Spirit , Many Dancers", WAAODA conference, Madison, WI
Meenakshi represented India in a multi-cultural dance concert and
presented about 30 minutes of traditional Bharatanatyam dances (several Abhinaya padams, Nritta
padams, and a Thillana) at the 38th Annual Conference of the Wisconsin Association on Alcohol and Other Drug
Abuse conference (WAAODA). The Bharatanatyam dances were appreciated with a standing
ovation by the audience. Top
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May 8, 2004
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Mother's Day Celebration, Association of Indians in America (AIA), Madison, WI
Kalaanjali students presented several dances at the
annual Mother's Day function organized by the AIA. The students presented a wide variety
of dances beginning from a traditional Bharatanatyam invocation (Ganesha Sthuthi), to a lyricless creative
fusion dance depicting grace, envy, rage and peace which was followed by
the well received 16-member 'Priyam Bharatham' Ballet on the theme of Unity in India, and a specially choreographed
Bharatanatyam dance on 'Krishna Nee Begane' chosen on this occasion as a tribute to the great mother
Yashoda and and her son Lord Krishna. See Photos
& additional details at the AIA website. Top
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May 7, 2004
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"Dancing Through Time", Morphy Hall, Madison, WI
Meenakshi presented a short Bharatanatyam concert of about 30 minutes
representing India as part of a program of dances and music from several cultures and generations.
The concert was organized by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies and well received and
appreciated by the audience. The event concluded with a panel discussion involving the main
artists from the various cultures. Top
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May 1, 2004
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Celebrate Madison, Monona Terrace, Madison, WI
Meenakshi and the Kalaanjali students
presented three traditional Bharatanatyam performances (two Padams and a Pushpaanjali) at the opening ceremony of the annual Celeberate
Madison program in collaboration with the Call For Peace Dance and Drum Company. The Celebrate Madison
function is an annual event that celebrates the increasing diversity in the Madison community and is
attended by hundreds of people from various countries and cultures. Top
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Apr 29, 2004
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NCOLCTL 2004 Conference Inauguration, Madison, WI
Meenakshi presented several traditional Bharatanatyam dances to
represent India during the inauguration of the 2004 Annual Conference of the National Council of
Less Commonly Taught Languges (NCOLCTL) organized in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin -
Madison. Also performing in the inauguration were dance professionals from other countries and
cultures. Top
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Apr 25, 2004
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AIA 2004 Graduation Banquet, Madison, WI
Meenakshi presented a couple traditional Bharatanatyam dances at the opening
of the 2004 AIA graduation banquet,
attended by Senator Jon Erpenbach, several 2004 lifetime achievement and community service award winners,
many well respected and active community members, and graduating seniors and their families. The Bharatanatyam dances
depicted the birth of the Natyavedam and concluded with a fast-paced traditional Bharatanatyam Thillana. See
photos & additional details.
The Madison Times weekly newspaper featured an
article about this
AIA banquet. Top
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Apr 24, 2004
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New Year's Celebration, Wisconsin Tamizh Sangam (WITS), Madison, WI
Kalaanjali students presented 'Ganesha Sthuthi' - a Bharatanatyam invocatory
dance which was followed by a dance ballet titled 'Priyam Bharatham' depicting the dances from south, north
and all over India in unity and in praise of our motherland. The ballet choreography included 16 students
of varying ages and received a lot of praise and appreciation from the audience. Top
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Apr 24, 2004
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Art Fair, Netherwood Knoll Elementary School, Oregon, WI
Meenakshi and a Kalaanjali student
presented several traditional Bharatanatyam dances and a semi-classical dance. Top
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Apr 17, 2004
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Asian Heritage Month Celebration, UW-Oshkosh, WI
Duration & Venue: 1.5 hours, at the Fredric March Experimental Theatre, UW-Oshkosh
Meenakshi and Kalaanjali students
presented a comprehensive dance program on the occasion of celebrating Asian Heritage Month at UW-Oshkosh.
The program primarily consisted of Bharatanatyam dances depicting Lord Ganesha and Lord Krishna, and
also featured were a semi-classical dance, a classical-folk dance, and Bharatanatyam fusion dance.
The Advance-Titan featured an article about this program. Top
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Apr 03, 2004
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"Krishna Leela" - a Bharatanatyam presentation on the life, roles and acts of Lord Krishna
Duration & Venue: 1 hour, at the
Alisha Ashman Public Library
Meenakshi and Kalaanjali students
presented a one-hour Bharatanatyam dance concert titled 'Krishna Leela', depicting Lord Krishna in
various roles and stages of life, including that of a naughty child being nurtured by his loving mother Yashoda, as a mischevious
child stealing and eating butter, as a brave and young child killing the poisonous serpant and dancing on its head,
as a teenager mesmerizing the girls with the music from his flute, as a protector coming to the rescue of
queen Draupadi, and as a spiritually enlightened guru preaching the Bhagavad Gita (one of the Holy Hindu scriptures)
to Arjuna. The event concluded with a traditional concert-ending Bharatanatyam Thillana performance. Top
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Feb 29, 2004
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Purandara Dasa Day, Kanada Sangam, Mumbai, India
Meenakshi and other students of Guru Smt. Padmini Radhakrishnan gave a Bharatanatyam presentation
on the beautiful compositions of Saint Purandaradasa. Top
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Jan 31, 2004
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Saraswati Puja, Bengali Association of Madison (BAM), WI
Meenakshi performed a traditional Bharatanatyam item choreographed specifically
for this event, depicting the beauty of Goddess Saraswati. This was followed by a semi-classical performance by
a Kalaanjali student on Lord Krishna. Top
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Jan 18, 2004
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Pongal Celebration, Wisconsin Tamizh Sangam (WITS), Madison, WI
Meenakshi and Kalaanjali students
performed traditional Bharatanatyam items as well as semi-classical items. Top
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Jan 17, 2004
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Semi-classical performance
A Kalaanjali student performed a semi-classical item at a social
Indian gathering. Top
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Jan 16, 2004
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Pongal Celebration, American Hindu Association (AHA), Madison, WI
A Kalaanjali student performed a semi-classical dance on Lord
Krishna. Top
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Jan 6, 2004
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School presentation on Bharatanatyam
With guidance from Meenakshi, a Kalaanjali student
prepared and presented a lecture demonstration on Bharatanatyam as a systematic, efficient, and powerful form of
expression via dance. The student gets an A grade for this presentation. Top
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