Lecture Demonstration on Kathakali Dance
Organized by Omkarananda Institute of Management and Technology (OIMT), Muni-ki-Reti, Rishikesh, in Collaboration with SPICMACAY, on 15th September 2013

From time to time programmes of Indian Classical Dance and Music by professional artists from all parts of India are conducted for the students of Omkarananda Institute of Management and Technology (OIMT) in Collaboration with SPICMACAY (Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth).

In the afternoon of 15th September 2013 a lecture demonstration of Kathakali, the Classical Dance of Kerala, was organized in the Auditorium of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam Inter-College (OSN), Muni-ki-Reti, Rishikesh, in which a great number of OIMT students along with OIMT lecturers and also some OSN students, along with their teachers, took part.

For this event two Kathakali dancers, three musicians and one make-up artist had arrived.

Lighting of Deepas by honourable OSN Principal, Col. Sachdeva, and honourable Shrimati Indu Gautam, Assistant Professor, OIMT.

The programme started with the lighting of Deepas.

Then the main performing artist, Kalamandalam Amaljit, who has received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Central Sangeet Academy, gave a very long lecture-demonstration of Kathakali dance, showing and explaining different facial expressions, including eye-movements, different hand-gestures, steps and some short stories through dance, accompanied by his musicians.

Towards the end of the programme Amaljit's fellow artist appeared on the stage, fully dressed in the most elaborate typical Kathakali costume and make-up, which is very complicated and takes several hours preparation by a trained make-up artist.

When he appeared on the stage and did some dance-movements to a Shloka, dedicated to Lord Shiva, he got a lot of applause from the audience.

The main artist, Shri Amaljit, encouraged some OIMT students, to come on the stage, where he taught them a few typical Kathakali steps and movements.

Kalamandalam Amaljit demonstrating Kathakali dance accompanied by his musicians.

Another artist performs dance in a typical, elaborate Kathakali dress.

Young OIMT students show interest in this special art form from the South, which originated in Kerala.

General Secretary of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, Kumari Somashekhari,
is offering a shawl to the famous artist Kalamandalam Amaljit.

Kalamandalam Amaljit in conversation with Somashekhari.

Apurva Trivedi, Assistant Professor OIMT, guides the audience through the highly artistic function.
In the background one can see Shri I.D. Joshi, Member of Management Committee OIMT,
who is honouring one of the musicians.

This Indian Classical Dance performance and lecture demonstration was very well received by all the OIMT students and others who watched this event.

Among the important guests were Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, Col. D.L. Sachdeva, Principal Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam Inter-College, Shri I.D. Joshi, Member of Management Committee OIMT and Shrimati Indu Gautam, Assistant Professor OIMT.

To reward the artist for his excellent presentation, Kumari Somashekhari offered him a beautiful shawl.

The programme was anchored by Shri Apurva Trivedi, Assistant Professor OIMT.