ARPANA SCHOOL
OF DANCE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS IN CALIFORNIA
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 The year 2007 was a momentous one - the 25th year since Arpana opened its doors. Through its diverse teaching programs, performances and presentations of visiting artistes, Arpana has contributed to the enhancement of the cultural landscape of the Southland. In September, that contribution by Ramya was acknowledged by Arts Orange County, the local arts agency, with the Helene Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award that "recognizes an individual artist who, through the practice of his or her discipline, has brought attention to Orange County through the regional, national or international recognition of his/her work; has trained or inspired others in the art form; or through a lifetime of involvement in his/her discipline, has enhanced the quality of life in Orange County." Ramya and the ADC also received many letters of recognition/citations from the California State Senate, the county of Los Angeles, the cities of Irvine and Anaheim and the LA Dance Resource Center.
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| Jathilayasaram |
Bho Shambo |
Classic Arpana 25, a journey through a quarter of a century of the school/dance was presented by 25 students and very well received by a sold out audience at the prestigious Barclay Theatre. Excerpts from past productions - Ganga…life as a river, Pancha Bhootam, Celluloid Classics, Sangam - many rhythms, one beat and Maya Manusha were featured. LA based Kinnara Taiko with whom ADC first collaborated in 1998, joined in this presentation and then accompanied the Company on the India tour. Fourteen ADC dancers - including Ahila Gulasekaram, Kinnara Taiko and Ramya performed in 6 cities in India - Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Kochi, Kottayam and Bangalore. Most of the performances brought awareness of the status of Indian dance in the US and more importantly raised monies for charitable causes. The first ADC visit to India in over a decade, the performers were overwhelmed by the generous response of the audiences as well as the press - print, TV, radio. Another highlight was Ramya's first solo performance in Chennai, India in 7 years. This was aptly dedicated to her Guru Swamimalai Rajaratnam, who passed away 13 years ago.
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Mahabalipuram tour |
The young Mexican American students of the International Academy of Dance, Santa Ana who studied under Ramya joined the students of the Arpana School at the recital Samarpan, also held at the Barclay. The ADC continued performing at festivals and events throughout the Southland. Under the OCPAC's, Arts Connect and Arts Teach programs, Ramya shared her art through assemblies and workshops at schools and libraries.
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