Anthara Centre for performing arts is focused on imparting, coaching, teaching and performing the art of dance, music, yoga and drama to eligible students of all ages.
Courses offered :
Anthara believes in teaching Bharatnatyam alongside music, Yoga and theory. Students are encouraged from basic levels right upto concert stage to participate in discussions presentations and performances. They are trained in posture, rhythm, dramatic expression and event management skills. Breathing techniques are taught while they learn the basic steps and they learn to put steps together to construct a small composition. Chanting of slokas and stories related to dance items are taught and discussed as part of learning.
• Practicals: Bharatnatyam is taught emphasizing the basic warm up exercises, stretches and techniques. The core movements called Adavus and Korvai are analysed and taught.
• Theory: Theory of the dance style including slokas, verses from treatise on dance and evolution of this art form is taught. Courses offered
• Abhinaya: Miming skills called Mukha Abhinaya and the use of body language and hand gesture is taught to the student
• Tala: Talam or the rhythmic component is taught in detail for every level with exercises. These include a structured programme that is both an intensive course by itself or as part of the Bharatnatyam training. Courses offered
• Yoga: Every art form draws its inspiration from other disciplines. Dance is closely associated with yoga and Anthara offers classes in yoga to train students to help correct posture, balance and breathing. They are trained to help become better dancers and a better human being.
• Music: Music is another discipline close to dance. It is considered as a twin art of dance. A dancer trained in music will be musically in tune with the composition he or she is performing. Music gives an idea of the varied natures of compositions in various languages and regions of the country. Anthara offers a structured program in music leading to an evaluation through exams.
Acharyas
Dr.Sreelatha Vinod
Sreelatha Vinod features prominently among the finest Bharatanatyam dancers of her generation today. She is a consummate artist, a vibrant performer and a gifted, creative & delightful choreographer. Her dance combines the tradition bound purity of her Gurus, ‘The Dhananjayans’ as well as an infectious and disarming joy in the inner realm of the art. Sreelatha is a much sought-after performer. As an empaneled artist with the ICCR, she works on her own solo concerts across the world as well as her lecture demonstrations and working sessions for artists, teachers, and dancers. Awards bestowed on her include the Satya Lasya Sundaram from Bharathanjali Trust, Nadana Swaroopa Mammani from Thygaraja Swami Sabha, Natya Shree from KaladarpanaKerala and Natya Kala Ratna - Trinity Arts Festival – Chennai to name a few. In addition to her contribution as a performer she serves as Founder-President of Prayathnam a dance forum for Bharatanatyam artistes and teachers that now has branches in Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Pondicherry. Besides this, she is a guest lecturer for the MA program at Madras University and also fulfills guest examiner duties for Kalakshetra - Chennai. She has completed her doctoral studies in the field of Bharatanatyam at the Tamil University,
Thanjavur .
Smt. Athena Madhu
Athena Madhu, a senior teacher at anthara and sister in law of Dr.Sreelatha Vinod. She holds a master degree in Bharathanatyam in addition to the PG Diploma from her almamater, Kalakshetra. She has won accolades and awards from many institutions and sabhas, notable of which are Natyarangam and Kalakshetra. She is dedicated teacher with a combination of enthusiasm and excellence.