Bharatanatyam on Christian Themes

Bharatanatyam on Christian Themes

...to name a few programs:

Peace Fest, February 2003

Shirani Rajan's performance at Peace Fest in Maryland. PeaceFest, the multi-cultural and interfaith event that "Promotes World Peace Through the Spirit of Oneness; transformative and powerful event to shift the consciousness in the direction of world peace; collective prayers and meditations for world peace led by spiritual leaders from the Native American, Christian, Buddhist, Hebrew, Islamic, Kemitic, Hindu, Bahia, Akan and Metaphysical Traditions.

New York Kristhuva Kovil, November 2002

KNS Sishyas and Seniors opened the show with 4 Christian items, and performed other classical and folk items along with other leading dance schools in New York.

Ecumenicon Conference, March 2001

Rani with a group of KNS students conducted a class on worship through dance for registered students on interfaith at the Conference held in Maryland.

Aadhi, July 2000

The commonality on creation myths from Egyptian, Greek, Hinduism and Judaism -- presented in celebration of KNS' 15^th anniversary. Although this program involved other cultures the climax on the 6-day creation and the rest on the 7^th day received the biggest applause.

Arangetram completely on Christian themes, November 1999

Shirani Rajan's arangetram was based completely on Christian themes. The padhavarnam (Ragam Shankarabaranam) was on Second Coming of Christ. Dasaniyamaha (meaning Ten Rules in Sanskrit) in the format of Dasavataram was based on the Ten Commandments.

Art Reach in Texas, June 1998

Rani and Shirani conducted lecture demo on Bharatanatyam for 300 dancers from around the world at a Art Reach program in Texas.

Annai Velankani at the National Shrine, May 1997

'Yesuvin Annaiye' a benefit performance when Annai Velankani statue was erected at the National Shrine.

First Troupe on Dance Tour. from right to left: Edwina Bhaskaran, Shirani Rajan, Shiny (Varghese) Roy, Sonali Isaac, Reshma Patchikara, Rashi Narain, Nancy Prem, Tina Mathew, and Nesi Williams
Bharatanatyam as a Sermon at the Evangelists' Retreat in NY, 1997

Several dance tours have been conducted in the east coast but this one needs a special mention. Normally Bharatanatyam on Christian themes are part of a social event at the end of the day's or weekend's activities. This one was at 11 a.m. Not knowing what to expect, we got ready to go on stage. They had a song service, scripture reading and prayer and instead of the sermon, KNS was asked to perform Bharatanatyam on Christian themes. It was divine experience.

Several dance tours in the East Coast

Yesu-Yesu-Yesu, January 1994

After ten years of operation, KNS took a new leap and the first Christian recital took place as a benefit performance for Maharashtra's earthquake victims. Generous contributions from the community made the event possible. (Hema Henry, Bhamini Prem, Pushpa Gnanasundram, Mathew from Philadelphia, Selvi Solomon from Michigan to mention a few.) Krishna-Krishna-Krishna portrays Krishna as a child, lover and god. The same idea was adapted to Yesu as a child, friend, and God.