LIST OF BHARATANATYAM TAPES AVAILABLE

See Statement given below. You will not find such a collection anywhere.  One cannot imagine the effort, the long hours, and expenses that have gone into making this available to you. Quite recently, one of Yamini’s tape got misplaced so I tracked down the distributor to get it.  Guess what the rental rate for this 30 minute video was -- $95!  Only then did I realize how lucky you are to get these from me.  How good are these…..scroll down and read comments…

Readily Available items are indicated below with a tick ü. This is not a commercial site.  Items are not stocked; they are prepared as and when you order. Order by Email but you must give your full address and phone number and what you want all in one email.

üNatyadarshan Vol. 1: Natyasastra by Padma Subramanyam

 

Vol.1A Series of television shows on the Natyasastra Volume One by Dr. Padma Subramanyam Part A The Origin:  (1) Intro (2) Brief history of the Natyavedha (3) Poorvarangam (4) Bedhas: shiro (head) uruva (chest) pashwa (sides) kati (waist) (5) Paadhabedham, stanas and mandala (6) Adavu and Hasta and Nrityahastas (7) Cari and temples (8) Dances depicting Karanas 1-18 (9) Karanas 19-30 (10) class demonstration (11) credits. 

Vol. 1B Series of television shows on the Natyasastra Volume Two by Dr. Padma Subramanyam  Part B The Karanas: (1) Intro (2) credits (3) Dances depicting Karanas – continued (4) Thanjavur Karanas (5) Nrittastanas and Retchikas (6) Karans in action (7) Pindi (8) Meenakshi Kalyanam (9) Kathakali (10) Padhartha Abhinaya (11) Mukajha:  neck, eyes, eyelids, eyebrow, lips (12) The Stage; Sattvikka bhava; Krishna Arjuna in the battlefield (13) Natyadharmi and Lokadharmi; Meera bhajan. 

Vol. 1C Series of television shows on the Natyasastra Volume Three by Dr. Padma Subramanyam  Part C The Rasas:  (1) Intro (2) credits (3) Rasa – vibhava anubhava vyabichari (4) Navarasa repeated for emphasis (5) Rukmini vs Sita (6) Kannagi (7) film stars expressing (8) cultural zones (9) Pravritti (10) Kalidasa’s Shakuntala (11) Performance to western classic (12) Attaining Sidhi – Conclusion (13) Performance – Om Namachivaya.

                                                                         

 ORDER HERE ALL THREE VOLUMES IN DVD FORMAT FOR $65.

 

Natyadarshan Vol. 2:  Padhams

Right now this is available in VHS format for $15.  The 13 padhams are: Ariya paruvam, Nee poi azhaithu, Adhuvum solluval, Netrinth nerathilae, Megam vidum thoothu, Esanae enth yezhaikkirangu, Eppo varuvaaro, Thyagarajyam, Kaksara, Enemel, Yaen palli kondiraiyya, Avivaenaiyya, Enna thavam. Order 40+ padhams in a DVD for $40.

 

üNatyadarshan Vol. 3: Tillana

40 Plus Tillanas in 40 different ragams.  A very useful product for any dancer.  I first had 10-14 Tillanas in VHS format.  As I went through my collection, I was amazed to find many more.   To raise the number to 40 I included some of my own compositions at various Arangetrams. Performer are not identified –only the ragams.  Order DVD $40

 

Natyadarshan Vol. 4-9 only in VHS 

·        Vol 4 Swarnamukhi A live performance in London in the 80s. Also featured are dances by her sister Usha Rajendar. Released by Eurovideo. Only VHS Available now.$15  

·        Vol 5 Natya Mayuri A live performance of Sudha Chandiran, the dancer who lost her leg and still contributed to the dance world with her superb performances. Only VHS Available now.$15  

·        Vol 6 Nupoor A series of telecast shows by Hemamalini. Only VHS Available now..  $15  

·        Vol 7 Top Dancers A compilation of dances of a few top dancers: Alamervalli (33 mins) Swarnamukhi (32 mins) Chitra Visweswaran (22 mins) Padma Subramanyam (28 mins) Sujatha Srinivasan (23 mins) and others (total 3 hours).  Only VHS Available now..  $15 

·        Vol 8 Shanti Krishna.  Complete rectial.  Only VHS Available now.$15

 

üNatyadarshan Vol. 10:  ‘Shivae’ (Male Dancers)

This is in honor of Late Venkatachalapathy (my guru in 1991). He did most of the Nattuvangam for Hemamalini’s dances. A noted dancer both in Bharatanatyam and Kuchupudi. A few years ago he had a very small accident at a traffic light. He drove his two wheeler for help but was denied medical assistance for one reason or the other, so he drove back many miles to his home in Thirvanmayur, bleeding all the way. He was then rushed to the GH where he died on his way. A very unfortunate incident and a great loss to the dance field. Included are dances by Dhananjayans and other artists from around the world.  Footage you will never see anywhere else in the world.  Instead of making this into two part of 2 hours which will cost you $50, due to time constraint, this comes with 4 hours.  Order DVD $30.

 

With the revival of Bharatanatyam and the establishment of Kalekshetra in 1930, Tamil Cinema had a major role in paving the way for the so-called forbidden art form to penetrate into society.  Being used to modern technology, as much as we may have a distaste to these Black and White movies, a dance lover cannot deny the influence these movies had on Bharatanatyam.  With over 6K Tamil tapes in my collection, I have spent several hours and reviewed, scrutinized, selected about 200+ such movies and compiled some of these  – definitely a dancer’s delight!

 

üNatyadarshan Vol. 11:  Dances by Natya Peroli Padmini & Vijayantimala

45 Dances of Natya Peroli Padmini & Vijayntimala from Tamil and Hindi films.   Not only am I an ardent fan, in March 199I Smt. Padmini Ramachandiran graced KNS’ first graduation by being the Chief Guest.  I don’t believe there is a website for her;  I probably will do one soon. The second half of Vijayantimala’s dances begins with an Allarippu from the film ‘New Delhi’ and included in this exclusive collection is a recent stage performance of Swathi Thirunal’s Nacherahegore – indeed a rare footage! Order 45 dances 4 hours DVD $25.

 

üNatyadarshan Vol. 12:  YESTERYEARS Classics from the Silver Screen

Kamala, E.V. Saroja, Vijayalaxmi and others

If you have ever seen eyebrows dance – it must be E. V. Saroja’s!  Do you recall the abhinaya of Kamala?  How about the swastika paadhabedham in L. Vijayalaxmi’s dance?  These great dancers added a new dimension to Bharatanatyam itself at a time when cinema was used to create public awareness and elevated the art form to heights.  It is simply nostalgic to watch these dances in films.  While the cine field in the 50s raved about Padmini and Vijayanti, I was a great fan of E. V. Saroja. Her moves in filmy dances were simply remarkable. This collection begins with an instructional demo by Kamala and includes many dances by others, some of them whose names we do not know. Almost every movie had the hero and heroine attend a show where the curtains opened to display Bharatanatyam.Their names we do not know, but they performed Bharatanatyam in films without any adulteration and watching these dances will show you how the trend has changed, watching them will give a clear vision how Bharatanatyam was used in the silver screen then and why some of us cannot bear to see dances in films today.  It has taken me several months to compile this together.  More than 45 dances. 5+ hours.  Order DVD $35.

üNewNatyadarshan Vol. 13:  CONTEMPORARY SILVER SCREEN CLASSICS by

Revathi, Shobana, Suganya, Banupriya, Swarnamalya, Amla, Hemamalini, Jailalitha, Jaichitra, Manju Bargavi, Sudha Chandiran and many others

A priced collection of dances by these contemporary artists from telecasts and from films.  Included is Revathi’s performance with blind dancers – a rare and noble performance which (although may lack clarity) is a must for any dance lovers.  From Venira Aadai Nirmala to Jailalitha and Jaichitra, many are included in this collection.  If you are a serious dancer, then surely you will want to get this because after the 70s there has not been any good classical numbers in the movies.  In fact, they are simply intolerable!  It has taken several months to put this compilation together.  And don’t think the contents are only from films, there are a number of stage performances as well. Also, items are not repeated.  For example, Revathi dancing with blind dancers is given in Natyadarshan Vol.18 Top Dancers; similarly, Shobana’s dances given in this volume is not the same as in Natyadarshan Vol. 20.  In this package I have included a Tillana where Shobana taught my students just over night and performed with them the next day. This compilation of Contemporary dancers comes in three volumes:  Vol. One:  Revathi, Shobana, Amla, Suhasini, Lakshmi, and many others (4 hours 44 dances $25)  Vol. Two:  Suganya, Banupriya, Swarnamalya, etc. – mostly stage performances.  (4 hours 50+ dances $35)  Vol. Three:  Hemamalini, Jaichitra, Jailalitha, Jayapradha, Sridevi, Monisha, Aishwarya, etc. (4 hours 40+ dances $25).   Order All three volumes comes to you as a set package for $75.

 

Natyadarshan Vol. 14 – for sale

Vol 14A: RENGAPARIMALANAM (Understanding the Stage) KNS Sishyas (post Arangetram students of Kalairani Natya Saalai):  Tina Mathew, Reshma Pachikara, Shirani Rajan, Rashi Narain, Jocelyn Watson and Jennifer Flaubert -- have put together this DVD for the beginners. Includes a practice session using the music from the Adavu(s) cd by Ushanthini Sripathmanathan, Australia. Hopefully, a sequence of RENGA-PREVASHAM (entering the stage) RENGA-PRAJVALANAM (polishing the stage) will also be released soon. 

Vol 14B: BEGINNERS PRACTICE DVD  In Bharatanatyam there are four styles:  Thanjavur, Pandanallur, Vazhavoor, Kalekshetra.  Certain basic steps are different.  Here in KNS the students are trained with steps from all styles.  For this purpose, the practice DVD for Beginners contains other styles.  It also includes practice sessions where the student can play the DVD and practice along with the aid.  This has not only benefited the student but educated the parents as well.  Exclusively for KNS students only.

Vol 14C: ANJALI  KNS’ exclusive Anjali items.  Although they are all Pushpanjali, they are given different names for easy identification.  This DVD begins with an television interview where Rani explains the basics of Bharatanatyam.  Some of the Anjali items are:  Mallari, Vandanam, Pushpanjali, Talalayam,  Nrittavandanam, Nrityanjali, Nadraja Anjali, Shivanjali, Poorvarangam, Nrityasthuthi, Mudranjali. 

Vol 14D: PADHAVARNAM  KNS has so far staged more than 12 padhavarnams at different shows and arangetrams.  It begins with ‘Annaiyai maravenadi’ in Abhogi ragam staged in 1990 to ‘Entha mayakaariyo’ in Useni ragam staged in 2003.  Also included are the varnams taught by Guru Shobana at the workshops she conducted for KNS. 
These are compiled together in a DVD for $65. 

  

Natyadarshan Vol. 15:  ‘Jai Hind’ Patriotic dances performed by KNS

This DVD is a compilation of the various patriotic dances that were exclusively choreographed and staged by Guru Rani through her dance school and dance company.  Rare songs with unique choreography performed by small children and pros at Arangetrams and special recitals:  dances on Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, etc. Sure to evoke patriotism!  DVD $25

 

Natyadarshan Vol. 16:  SHABDAMS

This DVD will contain more than 40 gouvthvms, shabdams and padhams.  Order DVD for $35

 

üNatyadarshan Vol. 17:  Padma Subramanyam & Chitra Visweswaran

These are live performances that cannot be found anywhere.  I don’t even know how I got these.  I was delighted to see them mixed with a whole lot of other movie tapes.  Definitely a dancer’s delight.  3 hours .  Order DVD $30.

 

üNewNatyadarshan Vol. 18:  Top Dancers

A compilation of top dancers – just like volume 7 (VHS which is now not available) but in DVD.  Four Hours $45.  Contents:  Dhananyans, Anita Ratnam, Sudharani Ragupathy, Shobana, Leela Samson, Shoba Natarajan, padmini Durairajan, Ambajam Krishnan, Ratnakumari, Natyanjali blind dancers from Bangalore. DVD 4 hrs. $45

 

üNewNatyadarshan Vol. 19:  NAVARASA

Contents:  Chitra’s Navarasa on Krishna; Sudharani’s Varnam; Bharathiyarin Navarasam (where works of the famous poet Bharathiyar was adapted to fit the nine rasas) by KNS; Padmini’s film dance; full length concert on Navarasa.  DVD format.  $35

 

 

üNatyadarshan Vol. 20:  Shobana

This DVD contains performances and Interviews from various occasions.  The greatest dancer of our times!  You have to see to believe. You have to experience her teaching. And her excellent sense of talam!  Watch her perform with her troupe in USA during October and November of 2003. Take a minute and visit her site at www.shobana.org.  2 hours of rare footage of stage performances that you cannot get anywhere in the world. Instead of making this into two part of 2 hours that will cost you $50,  due to time constraint, this comes with 4 hours. Order DVD $35.

 

 

 

Statement Bharatanatyam, after its revival in 1933, is now 70 years old. While Smt. Rukmini Arundale and Shri Krishna Iyer were responsible in bringing this art to society, cinema in the 50s and 60s played a major role in arousing an awareness and interest by the public and giving this art form its dignity. As a child, I lived near a theatre (owned by my houseowner) in Bangalore and my favorite pastime was to run and watch these dances on big screen (for free). As I became a serious student of Bharatanatyam I also realized how precious it is to keep one's choreography within its fold. It is only now in the 90s that gurus started opening doors to widen the horizon of this dance form. In 1991 when Kalapeetham was started I was one of the first students to sit with all the noted artists to learn Nattuvangam under Guru Seetharama Sharma. I am a slave to Bharatanatyam. It is a devotion to me  --  My main purpose in life. What I graciously received I would humbly like to give to others. Even though many noted dancers have stayed with me I have not in anyway exploited my privilege. Even my own students are not allowed to keep my choreography. I profoundly respect other artists. However, these dance tapes are from television programs already released to the public. It is listed here only as a service to promote this ancient art form I have spent (unimaginable) several hours in compiling these volumes.  I pay people in Chennai and other places to record and send them to me.  I don’t even know what has copyright  and what does not. This is my humble contribution to the dance field, to dance lovers and I humbly request you to view it with the same intentions.

If you are an artist, contact us. 301-439-7264 or ranidevikns@yahoo.com. If you are a store or commercial in any way, please don't even try.

                                    Nanri, untiringly serving the community, Guru Rani

So now, what is the procedure to get these?

 

Make the payment and send an email to ranidevikns@yahoo.com giving (a) your full name, address and telephone number;  (b) brief description about yourself and the purpose of getting these valuables – remember these are only for dance gurus, dance performers and serious dance lovers; (c) exactly which ones you wish to have – please use the volume number and its title.  Emails without the above information will be ignored.

 

Since this is not a commercial entity, and is provided as a service, please wait patiently for Rani to prepare these for you.

Read what others have to say – only a few have been displayed here:

·               Thousands of parnam.  It is absolutely right that we will not be able to have such a large collection of your real hard work of many many years.  Thankyou so much for being so generous. Devinder, CA (3 Sep 05)
·               Thank you so much for your efforts.. it really helps all of us who love , teach and perform this art form. Yours is a great dedication to follow. --      Sapna, TX (1 Sep 05)
·               Thanks a lot for your efforts and your dedication in putting this all together for barathanatyam fans like us Kala, (1 Sep 05)

·        I watched Yesteryears…you have a wonderful collection and your compilation is great. – Geetha, Michigan (1 Dec. 04)

·        Thanks for your unique service again – Reshma (1 Sep 04)

·        I'm enjoying all the goodies you sent…I love the tape and you did a WONDERFUL job Rani. --  Lesandra (18 June 04)

·        Thank you so much for all your hard work. – Athiswari (16 June 04)

·        These tapes are to be used as a means of remedying this and gain a deeper understanding of this art form. I do appreciate that these tapes are not meant for commercial use - the intention is purely to open up a wider vista for these youngsters. I hope this clears up any reservations you have regarding possible commercial use of these tapes. …Finally, I must tell your venture is indeed a fine contribution for Bharatnayam transcending national and political barriers. With best wishes,                                                                    --Thomas, UK (12 Jan 04)

                                                                                                                                          —Meera, Florida (Jan 3, 2004)

                                                                                                                                                                                 -- Kanchana, Toronto (Dec, 2003)

                                                                                                                    --  Shalini, UK (28 Dec 2003)

DANCE MOVIES

  1. Abhinanadana (Telugu)
  2. Annamayya (Telugu)
  3. Chandralekha (Tamil) '50s Starring T. R. Rajakumari. Super group dance.
  4. Devasuram (Malayalam) best of Mohanlal and Revathy
  5. Esaikku Oru Kovil (Tamil) '80s Music based movie.
  6. Kamaladalam (Malayalam)
  7. Kinara (Hindi) '70s. Starring Hemamalini and Jeetendar, where a dancer becomes blind.
  8. Konjum Salangai (Tamil) '60s Starring Kamala Lakshman, Savitiri, Gemini Ganesh.
  9. Mayuri (Tamil) Another legendary movie of the '80s where Sudha Chandiran plays her own role as the dancer who loses her leg in an accident.
  10. Megha Sandesham (Telugu)
  11. Moghamul (Tamil) music based; good songs, but no dance value.
  12. Mughal-E-Azaam (Hindi)
  13. Naam Eruvar (Tamil) '50s Starring Kamala Lakshman. Many Barathiyar songs.
  14. Natya Bhairavi (Telugu-Tamil) '80s. Dance based.
  15. Pakeezah (Hindi)
  16. Rajashilpi (Malayalam) '90s. Dance based.
  17. Salangai Oli (Tamil) '90s Starring Kamalhassan Jayapradha Manjubargavi. One of its kind in Cinema industry.
  18. Salangaiyil Oru Sangeetham (Telugu-Tamil) '90s Starring Banupriya and Mohan. Portrays a dancer caught in emotions.
  19. Sangamam (Tamil) 2000. Although dance based, the movie has no dance value.
  20. Sangeetha Saamraat (Telugu) '80s. Music based.
  21. Sankarabaranam (Telugu-Tamil) '80s. Music based.
  22. Sapthapadi (Telugu)
  23. Swarnakamalam (Telugu) Late '80s. Starring Banupriya and Venkatesh.
  24. Tillana Mohanambal (Tamil) '60s. Starring Sivaji as the Nadaswara vidwan and Natya Peroli Padmini as the dancer. A legendary movie.
  25. Umra Jaon (Hindi)
  26. Vethala Ulagam (Tamil) ‘50s with dances by Kamala, Padmini, Lalitha. 

FOR KALAIRANI NATYA SAALAI, THE DANCE SCHOOL CLICK HERE.

FOR THE GURU CLICK HERE

FOR A LIST OF BHAKTI (DEVOTIONAL) MOVIES CLICK HERE.

FOR BHARATANATYAM TO CHRISTIAN THEMES CLICK HERE

FOR TAMIL VIDEOS CLICK HERE.   

FOR THE HOME PAGE CLICK HERE.