Dear Friends,
Padma Nrithyalaya Arts (Seremban) and Sutra Foundation were honoured to host a Mohiniyattam workshop by eminent danseuse and guru, Dr Neena Prasad at Sutra on 14 September (Sat), 2024.
Mohiniyattam, an Indian classical dance style originally for women, from the State of Kerala, is yet to have a strong foothold in Kuala Lumpur.
Though we have witnessed several performances of Mohiniyattam in Kuala Lumpur, we don’t as yet, have an institution teaching Mohiniyattam regularly, here.
Thanks to Guru Vinosree Shangkar of Padma Nrithyalaya Arts, Sutra was fortunate to have Neena Ji herself to give a most erudite exposition of the nritta and abhinaya techniques of this lyrical classical style. Neena Ji also spoke briefly on the consolidation of the teaching methodology and repertoire within Mohiniyattam pioneers.
Dr Neena Prasad, Sangeet Natak Awardee (Central Govt), trained In Mohiniyattam under Kalamandalam Suganthi and Kshemavathi. She is a versatile and accomplished artist versed in bharatanatyam, kuchipudi and kathakali having learnt from prominent gurus such as the late Adyar K Lakshman, Vempati Chinna Satyam and Vembayam Appuluttan, respectively. She eventually returned to her first love Mohiniyattam – as a dancer, academician and researcher.
Meeting Neena Ji at Sutra was for me a special occasion, having once learnt from the same bharatanatyam guru, Lakshman Sir. Neena Ji and I, had also performed on the same festival platforms on several occasions.
Dr Neena Prasad is founder of Bharathanjali Academy of Indian Dances in Thiruvananthapuram.
“My passion elevates my dance into an inward realm of meditation”Neena Prasad.
Ramli