Painted heroines come alive in ‘The Heroines of Raja Ravi Verma, a unique and enthralling bharatanatyam dance production by Apsaras Arts, Singapore’s renowned dance company.
Raja Ravi Verma (1848 – 1906) was a painter from the princely state of Travancore who achieved recognition and acclaim for his depiction of scenes from the great Hindu epics – The Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
This dance showcase explores the emotions as depicted in Raja Ravi Varma’s 14 well-known paintings of Sita, Bhoomadevi, Damayanthi, Radha, Shakuntala and Yasodha. Known for their beauty, the lives of these heroines were filled with romance, love and tragedy. Each enactment is staged with appropriate poetry from various genres and meticulously designed costumes, reflecting the style of the paintings itself. Be mesmerized as their stories come to life, from their easels, to speak to you through dance.
This unique dance production will feature senior Singapore dance artistes – Roshni Pillai, Sabanitha Shanmugasundram, Lalitha Ramani along with the senior core members of the Apsaras Arts dance company. Artistic Direction will be provided by Singapore's Cultural Medallion recipient Neila Sathyalingam, Concept, Music, Choreography Design by Singapore's Young Artiste award recipient Aravinth Kumarasamy and Choreography by India's Kalaimamani award recipient, Parvathy Ravi Ghantasala.
The Heroines of Raja Ravi Varma was first presented at the Esplanade Singapore in January 2012 with 2 sell-out shows and recently presented in Chennai, India on 12th January 2013 for a full-house audience.
Apsaras Arts will stage this unique and spectacular production at the Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel, at 7pm, February 16, 2013. Former President, Mr S R Nathan will attend as Guest of Honour. Donor tickets priced at $200, $100 & $50 are available at the Association and at Apsaras Arts.
The Singapore Indian Association’s Sports Development Fund
This dance performance is the Association’s inaugural fund raising initiative for its Sports Development Fund. A target of $200,000 has been set for its fund raising efforts in 2013.
The Sports Development Fund will be mainly used towards organizing major sports events ’for the promotion of key sports such as cricket, hockey and the introduction other non-traditional sports and games at the Association. In addition the funds will be helpful in its plans to establish sports outreach programs with grassroots organizations and self-help groups such as SINDA. The funds will also be made available for the conservation and improvement of its sports infrastructure, the procurement of related sporting equipment to meet coaching/training requirements. A significant part of the fund will be available for youth development with the aim of ensuring that the Association produces a continuous stream of excellent sportsmen available for national and international level competitions.
ABOUT APSARAS ARTS
With over three decades of prolific local international productions, Apsaras Arts has grown into a dance company that has gained recognition in Indian dance-theatre, enjoying successful performances worldwide. Apsaras Arts Through creative innovations and bold collaborations, aspires to instill awareness of Indian dance forms in Singapore, maintain the best standards of performance and cultivate an interest in the rich heritage and traditions of Indian Arts.
Apsaras Arts was founded in Singapore in 1977 by Shri S Sathyalingam and Smt Neila Sathyalingam of Kalakshetra, India. With an initial student strength of about 20 dance students, Apsaras Arts has expanded in size and significance. Several senior dancers of Apsaras Arts have branched out to form their own dance institutions both under the name of Apsaras Arts and in their own names, in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, France and the United States.
Since 2007, Apsaras Arts has emerged as a premier professional performing company, focusing on creating new works at international and national festivals, corporate events and during its seasonal performances.
About The Singapore Indian Association
The Singapore Indian Association was established in 1923 with the objective of promoting the social, physical, intellectual, cultural and the general welfare of its members. When it was formed, the Association projected itself as a pan-Indian, rather than narrowly ethnic, language, religion, caste or region-based organization. Since then it has evolved into one of the premier social and recreational Club in Singapore.
While the Association was founded in 1923, its clubhouse was only completed in the 1950s. It is located at the historic Balestier Plain in Singapore, which has acquired formal heritage status for its concentration of a cluster of community associations and sports clubs, such as the Indian Association. Located about 6 km from the city centre, the Singapore Indian Association stands as a prominent landmark along the Balestier Road, commanding a panoramic view of one of the most picturesque playing fields in Singapore.
In keeping with its early political leanings, the foundation stone of the clubhouse was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru on 18 June 1950.
Since its beginning, the Association has been extremely active in Singapore’s sports scene. Sports in which the Association is active in include cricket, tennis, hockey, football and billiards. Many of its members and sportspeople also went on to represent Singapore in regional and international tournaments.
The Association currently has 1,200 members comprising of Life Members, Life Associate, Ordinary Members, Associate Members, Lady Ordinary, Lady Associate, Sporting and Junior. Corporate and Term Membership was introduced in May 2003.
For more information on the association, visit our website at http://www.sg-ia.org/v1/
Event Details:
The Heroines of RAJA RAVI VARMA : The Painted Heroins come alive
A Dance Spectacular by Apsaras Arts Presented by the Singapore Indian Association
In Aid of the Singapore Indian Association’s Sports Development Fund
Place : Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel, Singapore.
Date : 16th Feb 2013, (Saturday)
Time : 7:00 PM ( Guests to be seated by 6:45 PM)
Donor Tickets: $200, $100, $50
Tickets Available at:
Singapore Indian Association 69, Balestier Road S329677: Tel +65 6291 2556
APSARAS Arts, GOOOMAN Centre S439053 : Tel +65 6573 5866
Ref: PRESS Release SIA
