Indian Classical Music Concert In Yerevan

CONCERT POSTER

To celebrate the mystic magic of Indian Classical Music, Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO (IAF) in cooperation with Embassy of India to Armenia organized an Indian Classical Mandolin Recital Concert on 9th October in Yerevan. The recital, which took place in the city’s famous Arno Babajanyan Concert hall, was performed by the World Renowned Mandolin Maestro Pandit Sugato Bhaduri (www.sugatobhaduri.com).  Pandit Bhaduri was also accompanied by Mr. Indranil Guha, who performed on the Tabla. 

Audience

The performance, which lasted a little less than two hours saw enthusiastic attendees from all walks of life, some from whom even remained standing for the entire program as the venue, which has a capacity of 300 people, was jam packed with many standing audience too.  

Audience

Tabla Accompanist Sri Indranil Guha

Mandolin Maestro Pandit Sugato Bhaduri 

The program was well orchestrated by IAF Secretary General Ms. Lusine Toroyan who on behalf of IAF President welcomed all participants, audience, and other stakeholders of the event. The concert was opened by H.E.  Dr.Suresh Babu, Ambassador of India to Armenia, who was the chief guest of the evening.  

  

Those in attendance were more than glad to be introduced to such enchanting Indian classical music. Many in Armenia know Indian music mainly through Bollywood, which unfortunately doesn’t depict the true richness of Indian Music to its viewers.

In just 1 hour and 45 minutes the two musicians rectified the misconceptions an average Armenian has for Indian music, thus introducing them to a new world of  true Indian classical music.

“This is the other side of Bollywood you have not yet listened to”, said Pundit Sugato Bhaduri while addressing his audience. 

Armine Sargsyan, who attended the program couldn't agree more. “Whatever we heard and experienced that evening was indeed the opposite of Bollywood music as, it was like trance”, she expressed in admiration. 

 

The event was well supported by Karma Indian Restaurant in Yerevan and 'Maharishi Vedic Center' Educational Foundation. 

 IAF thanks the Indian Embassy, Karma Indian Restaurant, Maharishi Vedic Center and all those who attended the event for making it a grand success. IAF look forward to different stakeholders for their cooperation in our future programs too.

Team IAF and performing artists  along with 
Hon. Ambassador of India in Armenia Dr. Suresh Babu

Bharatnatyam Dance Concert in Yerevan, Armenia

Bharatnatyam Exponent Ms. Revathi Ramachandran

On 29 September 2012 Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO’s members attended and participated in “A Bharatnatyam Dance Performance ” event performed by Bharatnatyam Dance Exponent Ms. Revathi Ramachandran. The performance took place at Arno Babajanyan  hall in Yerevan and was dedicated to the Celebration of the 20^th Anniversary of the establishment of the Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of Armenia. The organizers of the event are The Embassy of India in Yerevan, The Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia.

IAF representatives with the
Bharatnatyam Dance Group of Ms. Revathi Ramachandran

The event began with the inaugural address by Mr. Pankaj Saxena, Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of India in Armenia, who welcomed all participants from different diplomatic missions, organizations, universities etc. and expressed his gratitude to all organizers for such a beautiful initiative. Then Mr. Artur Poghosyan - Deputy Minister of Culture in  Armenia addressed the large audience present in hall and talked about the importance of Indo-Armenian cultural relations which have long celebrated history. He also reminded this event as a part of  celebration of “Indian Cultural Days” in Armenia form 28 September till 2 October. During these days Bharatnatyam Dance Group will also perform in Yerevan State Medical University and in Gyumri - the cultural capital of Armenia.

Charge De Affairs, Embassy of India, Mr. Pankaj Saxena
with the dance group

Bharatnatyam Dance Group from India was comprised of 5 members; Ms. Revathi  Ramachandran - dancer who was accompanied by  Ms. Korukkai Ramachandran Manasvini (Cymbals), Ms. Preethy – Maheshwar (Vocalist), Mr. Krishnamoorthy Venkatasubramanian (Mridangam) and Mr. Vasudevan Muruganandam (Violin), presented 7 dances (Invocation, Varnam, Suddhanrittam, Javali, Padam, Devaram and Tillana).  

Ms. Korukkai Ramachandran Manasvini  daughter and  student of Ms. Ramachandran accompanied with her Guru and mother to thrill the audience with their classical dance performances. It was a great performance to showcase the Indian spiritual and philosophical thought system where the expressions, the melody and the sound are in harmony with each other and emphasized the Union of Outer World with Inner World. 

Bharatnatyam is one of the ancient classical dances of India which are all based on “Natya Shastra” created by Bharat Muni. Bharatnatyam is also known as the fifth Veda or Natya Veda, a quintessence of four Vedas which were written thousands of years ago during Vedic Period. The word “Bharatnatyam” is composed of the terms, “Bha- Bhavam (means expression), Ra- Ragam (means music), Ta- Talam (means beat or rhythm) and Natyam (means dance). Bharatanatyam is a traditional dance-form known for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculpturesque poses. Today, it is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practiced by male and female dancers all over the world.

The philosophy behind this dance is to search the human soul and unite with the Supreme Being. Ms. Revathi Ramachandran is one of the best dancers who really feels and presents to public the meaning of these dances. Her artistic talent was discovered by the great Guru Mangudi Dorairaja Iyer, a Maestro of the Melattur style of Bharathanatyam, and the visionary who revived the Shuddha Nrittam style of Bharathanatyam to make it his principal legacy to his student, Revathi. Revathi gave a lot performances in various parts of India and around the world (USA, Canada, UK, France, Singapore, Rome,Malaysia and the latest is Armenia) receiving great appreciations for her performances. In 1987 she established Kala Sadhanalaya Dance school which grown up by size and talents who are the representatives of Bharatnatyam dances.

IAF Secretary General Ms. Lusine Toroyan addressing the audience

At the end of the event, IAF Secretary General  Ms. Lusine Toroyan on behalf of President Mr. Rananjay Anand and all IAF  members congratulated all organizers and  Bharatnatyam Dance Group for this great event. Ms. Lusine and IAF Vice President Mr. Karen Hovhannisyan presented Ms. Revathi with a Bouquet of flowers and Armenian Souvenirs to her dance group members as a symbol of gratitude on behalf of all IAF members.

IAF Secretary General Ms. Lusine Toroyan in a deep conversation
with Bharatnatyam exponent Ms. Revathi Ramachandran

All audience present in the event were spell-bound with the special dance performances. This evening was one more proof of strong Indo-Armenian relations.