(Image source from: Thiruchengottu Ardhanareeswarar "Kuravanji" Dance Drama in Phoenix)

Natya Nrutyalaya is all geared up to present the Gracious Historical Dance Drama, "Kuravanji" Dance, on 16 January 2016 (Saturday) at ‘Chandler Center For The Arts in Phoenix, Arizona, at 5 PM, as a fund raising event for the ‘Chennai flood relief’.

The program is the proud presentation of the first Bharathanatyam Dance Drama from Natya Nrutyalaya’s Shrilakshmi Sathengiri’s Dance Students. Enthusiasts are invited to enjoy the 17th Century "Kuravanji" Dance, and donate generously for the support of a good cause. Through a non-profit organization, iServe Foundation all the charitable contributions would be donated in support of Chennai flood relief’.

Kuravanji Dance of 17th Century

Kuravanji dance is a dance form performed in Tamil Nadu, India, and a cross over dance from Andhra Pradesh. The word "Kura" refers to the tribe 'Kuruvas' or 'Chenchus'. The men who belong to these tribes were the nomadic hunters from AP, while the women are reputed fortune-tellers. The word "Anji" refers to adavus, meaning traditional dances. The dance form is even known as kuram and kuluva natakam.

The 17th century dance form has its own identity. King Rajaraja Chola was the earliest supporter of Kuravanji dance. He built a huge platform at Thanjavur for holding Kuravanji performances at the time of annual feast, Kuravanji Medai. Kuravanjis were performed regularly in temples. As the prohibition of the dancing of devadasis in Temples began, the practice of Kuravanjis performances began to decline gradually.

Also Read:Kuravanji Dance Drama

Details of the event

Event: Thiruchengottu Ardhanareeswarar "Kuravanji" Dance Drama
Organizer: NATYA NRUTYALAYA
Date: Saturday, 16 January 2016, 5:00 PM
Venue: "Chandler Center For The Arts" – Hal Bogle Theatre
Contact Details:
Murthy Venkateswaran - 623-337-0860
Prakash Sathengeri - 602-394-0261
Shankar Kalyanam - 480-221-8360

-Sumana