Special Summer - KNS Boys Session starting July 20th to September 4th by Guru Rani and Sishya Jonathan

Ages 7-13 - limited space – here’s your big chance!

Kalairani Natya Saalai (KNS) Inc.

Indian Dance School

·        Established in 1984.  Untiringly serving the community for 20 years.  Hundreds professionally trained in this school.  Indian culture appreciated.

·        Non-Profit – 501 (c)3 status -  Yes, with a track record of innumerable free benefit performances we are classified as a non-profit tax-exempt organization.

·        Member of the International Dance Council, Greece/France.

·        Dance Center for Degree Courses – Affiliated with University in South India.

·        Guru Rani has choreographed and staged 400+ classical dances.  In 2004 alone we had 96 performances.  Periodically check www.ranidevi.com/events.htm

·        Text Box: Join KNS Today Tel: 301-439-7264 Email: kns@ranidevi.com 1909 Wooded Way, Adelphi, MD 20783 We are 2 miles from University of Maryland, College Park -- One minute from exit 28A on 495 -- A block away from the new Hindu Temple on Riggs Road. From the beltway: take 28A New Hampshire White Oak; right at first light Elton Road; end of the road, make a left on Wooded Way; 4th corner house on your right. From DC or Langley Park: take New Hampshire Avenue towards White Oak; pass Adelphi Road, beltway bridge, make a right on Elton Road (if you have gone to Powder Mill Road, you have gone too far) end of the road, make a left on Wooded Way; 4th corner house on your right. From Silver Spring/Wheaton: Take New Hampshire Avenue, pass Sears, pass golf, immediately after Hillandale Shopping Center, make a left on Elton Road; end of the road, make a left on Wooded Way; 4th corner house on your right. From Beltsville: Come straight on Powder Mill Road, at the light it becomes Riggs Road; 3rd right is Wooded Way; come down a block and 1909 is on your left. From University of Maryland: take Adelphi Road; right on Riggs Road; after the beltway bridge and the new Hindu temple, turn left on Wooded Way; come down a block and 1909 is on your left. Arangetrams & Sishyas  (www.ranidevi.com/Sishyas.htm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Ten Reasons why KNS is so Unique

1.    Degree – affiliated with a University in South India, as of Feb.2005 KNS offers BFA (Bachelor in Fine Arts) and MFA (Masters in Fine Arts) in Bharatanatyam -- so dance is not just fun but academic!

 

 

2.    Arangetrams  - Regular Arangetrams are conducted with live orchestra.  www.ranidevi.com/Sishyas.htm

 

3.    Graduation  - with a  well-defined curriculum, KNS leads the students to achieve a goal in Bharatanatyam.  After 4 levels of training, students graduate from KNS, equivalent to a Diploma Course – recognized by a reputable University in South India.

4.    Accelerated – if you are an over-achiever, a quick grasper, and over 12 years old, you don’t have to go through 4-6 years to graduate, you can take double sessions and finish within 2-3 years. Age no bar.  Language no bar.  Click & Sample a few. Oh, btw, Guru Rani doesn’t go by the clock. Group lessons are hour long - but sessions can easily go for 1.5 hrs or more.

 

5.    Children – KNS is a cultural school where children 4 yrs and above join and learn basics and fun dances.  Occasionally, there may be a child prodigy like Rachel Prem. Emphasis is given to Patriotism.  Children learn about India, the National Anthem, etc. and develop an admiration for their motherland.

6.    Patriotic Songs - Bharatanatyam is not limited to only traditional dances.  A number of dances on patriotism are taught and staged.

 

 

 

7.         Folk & Hindi dances – Bharatanatyam from South India is based on Carnatic music.  Here in KNS, a number of Hindi dances are performed using good classical steps.  Students perform filmy dances as well.  Recently KNS students performed ‘dolarey’ and ‘kaaheched’ and won prizes at competition.

8.           Christian – Bharatanatyam is based on Hindu mythology, but since 1994 (ten years after KNS was established) we have been performing PURE Classical to Christian themes.  Pic: recent performance for Christian Musicfest.

 

 

9.    Creativity – in KNS creativity knows no bounds.  We danced on the National float and won 3rd prize amidst 80 contestants. We performed ‘Aadhi’ on creation myths. Recently for the 20th Anniversary, we presented Rudyard Kipling’s classic THE JUNGLE BOOK in Bharatanatyam style.  Senior students are challenged with choreography!

10.           Dance Tours – from 1994 to present, from New York to Houston, and this year to Atlanta,  dance tour is a prominent feature of the institution; KNS Seniors frequently travel and present concerts as benefit performances or fund-raising shows.

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KNS Profiles

Jocelyn – one of the three KNS’ first graduate in 1991, finished her Masters, became a teacher, got married, but had the urge to continue Bharatanatyam and do the Arangetram, came back to KNS after 12 years and finished her Arangetram Nov 2002 with the prestigious musicians from India who had accompanied world renowned dancer/actress Shobana.

 

Kathy – graduated from KNS and finished her Masters, is in the teaching profession, and with the encouragement of her husband, has come back to KNS to do her Arangetram.  She had a lead role in The Jungle Book, Nov. 2004.

Only proves that there is no CEILING in Bharatanatyam!

 

Radhika Seen here is a student who took lessons under Natya Peroli Padmini Ramachandiran 13 years ago in NY, now a graduate of UMCP (only 10 mins from where we are) within 5 months with intensive training she performed a Shabdam with Seniors at the Shiva Vishnu Temple and in 2 years graduated from KNS.  A software professional who plans to go for Medicine, now awaits her Arangetram.

 

Wimalkantha Sisters from Sri Lanka – with a passion for dance, they waited years to join KNS, but when they did they went into an accelerated program and graduated within 2-3 years.  They continue to take lead roles in KNS presentations.

 

Elena from Russia had planned to go to India and wanted to learn the culture and art but she had only 4 months to do that.  She came to KNS and within that 4 months, in an accelerated program, was able to learn the basics plus a few traditional items.  She performed at the Independence Day celebration, Aug. 2004.

 

Anitha from Chennai came to USA in 2003, within weeks she joined KNS and was exposed to Bharatanatyam for the first time.  But her grasping ability was good, her (Anga-hasta) lines were impeccable that within one year (unbelievable but true) she was able to take lead roles.  She starred as Shanti in The Jungle Book and performed a Tillana, a dance of third level.

 

Rachel Prem – you have to see to believe this child prodigy perform.  She joined KNS at age 6 like many others, but with exceptional talent and guidance from her (Bharatanatyam) mother, she leaped to an adorable level.  She was recipient of the KNS award and starred as boy Mougli in The Jungle Book.  At a time when all of us were disturbed with Tsunami, her patriotic performance of ‘Tamizha Tamizha’ at the recent Tamil Sangam program was remarkable; some ladies came back stage hugged her to say they were deeply touched and cried as they saw the patriotic expression by this little girl!

Mona & Sudha - Age no bar! Mona started at a very young age, then studies got in her way and she discontinued; now after College, rejoined KNS. Although she is doing Masters in Philadelphia, she attends dance class every weekend, and awaits her dance graduation next year. Sudha had a love for classical dance, but did not have the opportunity and time; now after college and a software career woman, she freshly joined KNS, started from adavus and is now in the Madhya level.

 

Mona was interested only in filmy dances but she is now a serious classical Bharatanatayam student.  How come?  Here’s what she says:  "I always enjoyed doing film songs and choreographing them in my basement with a few of my friends. I then realized that without having classical training you do not have the proper posture, stamina, and clean moves to make a hindi dance look good. It is like trying to do Algebra without knowing what two plus two is. You have to start from the basics. I am very glad I came to this realization quickly."

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KNS serves you

In Seven ways ...

1.                 Learn 

2.                 We Perform for You

3.                 Christian Fundraising

4.                 ‘Just a Glimpse’ program for schools

5.                 Crash Course (only for dancers)

6.                 Dance on DVD

7.                  Natyadarshan for Serious Dance Lovers

1LEARN

-- Make Bharatanatyam your life-time achievement -- Join KNS today

All Ages. Start as early as 4 years. Till the age of 10 KNS is more of a cultural school. Along with fun dances and even classical items, students learn slokas, Bharatanatyam words and meanings, history and origin of this dance form, all about India, the National Anthem etc. Seen below are five and six year olds performing Mallari at the 2002 showcase.

(action picture - not posed)

[Beginners: Tuesdays 6 pm]

All Races. Our classes consist of students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Trinidad etc. 95% of them were born in America and some have never been to India. The Gazette December issue carried an article on students from Guyana and Trinidad who chose Bharatanatyam as the highest link to their ancestor's culture. See KNS Album.

Lost touch .. Wish to continue... If you took lessons many years ago and completely lost touch, we are here to renew. [Call us to chalk out a schedule for you.]

Not so serious about classical -- then join a group that does the basic steps and lighter type of dances (some classical numbers, cultural, folk and filmy dances.) Groups performing Rangde and Silsila (Devadas) on Dec 15, 2002.

(action pictures - not posed)

[Sundays 4 p.m. & Wednesdays 7:30 p.m.]

2WE PERFORM FOR YOU

Do you have an event where you wish to include professional dances? Contact us. Solo or Group performances. Almost every week KNS is performing somewhere. (left) Shiva Vishnu Temple February 2003; solo performance at PEACE-FEST February 2003.

(action pictures - not posed)

   3CHRISTIAN FUND RAISING

Looking for a fund raising event.. For past benefit performances and dance tours see KNS History KNS is the only dance school that does dance tours for Christian organizations. Make your fund raising a meaningful event. Contact 301-439-7264 or email kns@ranidevi.com.

Christianizing this dance form

4JUST A GLIMPSE

A special package for schools specially designed for non-Indians. A one-hour, ten-day event at Elementary, Middle and High schools. Along with 40 minutes of dance moves, where the students will perform as a group, 20 minutes on 3 or 4 special activities such as (1) wearing saree (2) mehndi - palm designs (3) rangoli/kolam unique designs using dots on the floor (4) the art of fabric dyeing (5) sequins (6) making a garland with paper flowers (7) puppetry (8) masks & myths (9) learn to write your name in Indian languages (10) cooking a roti etc.

 5CRASH COURSE - for a one time event

Never taken lessons before .. but you want to dance for an upcoming event.

Get three more and form a group size (minimum 4) and take 6 sessions. Special price & Special timings.

NEW - a session for young boys (12 and under) Filmy dances [timings to be fixed]

NEW - Indian Dance Aerobics -- Ladies Special – Why go to the Gym?  Workout to music that you enjoy the most! [timings to be fixed] 

6KNS on DVD In a span of 18 years, we have more than 400 dances and performances. We are now beginning to put them down in DVDs.

BEGINNERS – ADAVUS – now available.  Call Guru Rani 301-439-7264 or email kns@ranidevi.com

 7Dance Videos The only place you can get Bharatanatyam tapes.  Not Commercial.  Only for Dance Gurus and serious dance lovers.  Click here for details or go to www.ranidevi.com/dancetapes.htm

1.                 Natyasastra by Padma Subramanyam – DVD $65

2.                 Padhams VHS $15 (out of stock)

3.                 Tillana DVD $40

4.                 Swarnamukhi VHS $15

5.                 Natyamayuri Sudha Chandiran VHS $15

6.                 Hema Malini’s Nupoor VHS $15

7.                 Top Dancers VHS $15 (out of stock)

8.                 Shanti Krishna VHS $15

9.                 Instructions from Experts VHS $18

10.             ‘Shivae’ dances by Male dancers DVD $30

11.             Padmini & Vyjantimala DVD $25

12.             Yesteryears – Kamala Lakshman, E. V. Saroja, L. Vijayalaxmi DVD $35

13.             Contemporary Artists (under construction)

14.             KNS

15.             Jaihind – patriotic dances by KNS (under construction)

16.             Shabdam (under construction)

17.             Padma Subramanyam & Chitra Visweswaran DVD $30

18.             Top Dancers DVD  (under construction)

19.             Navarasam DVD (under construction)

20.             Shobana DVD $35

21.             Takadimita DVD (under construction)

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