EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY REPORT
2019 - 2020
AAMAD has been successfully organizing festivals & seminars for last two decade. These festivals & seminars had a mixed presence of veterans, new comers and renowned personalities who have won many accolades time and again. These & seminars have won rave reviews from the art critics and art connoisseurs.
March 2020
Regular Kathak dance classes of Foundation, Certificate, Diploma and Post Diploma were continued as per syllabus of Aamad. Quarterly Assessments for Students of Aamad. Aamad Kathak dance centre conceptualize the idea of regular assessments of their regular dance classes so that students will gain a better understanding of their rich culture and heritage of Kathak. These assessments motivated and encouraged the students to work hard to improve their short comings in practice and their result improved. The grades were provided to the parents of the students duly signed by their Guru.
1st February 2020
On 1st February 2020, Pratibha Vasantotsav Festival was organised by AAMAD Dance Centre and Kautilya Foundation shall celebrate ‘Srijan’ (creation) of a budding artist, the program was started with a solo dance by Nisha Kesari along with some senior and young dancers of AAMAD.
There was a performance by senior Kathak artist Dr. Rekha Mehra.The program was graced by the presence of senior Personalities like; Shri Rishi Vashisth, Director of CCRT,Smt. Sindhu Mishra, Deputy Secretary of Sahitya kala Parishad, Delhi and many more artists, Journalists and musicians;
28th & 29th January 2020
On 28th & 29th January 2020, Guru Rani Khanam on the behalf of AAMAD dance Centre, has participated as one of the speaker in ICCR's National Conference on 'Destination India' - Making India the Preferred Hub of Education held at Symbiosis International University, Pune. Discussion topic was Prospective in studies of Indian Knowledge Systems & Culture for the International students.
Prospective in studies of Indian Knowledge Systems & Culture for the International students.
20 January 2020
On 20 January 20, On the behalf of AAMAD dance Centre, Rani Khanam participated Meetiing at ICCR with its DG, DDG and all senior Gurus: Saroja vaidhynathan ji, Uma Sharma ji, Bharti Shivaji, Jaylaxmi Eshwar ji to discuss performing arts structure and its learning for the foreign students of ICCR.
April 2019 - March 2020
AAMAD has been successfully organizing festivals & seminars for last more than two decade. These festivals & seminars had a mixed presence of veterans, new comers and renowned personalities who have won many accolades time and again. These & seminars have won rave reviews from the art critics and art connoisseurs.
7th December 2019
On 7th December 2019, it is an honour for AAMAD and its artists to present Kathak and beautiful dancing aspects of Luchnow style in Deeksha - A Guru Shishya Paramparaa Festival ,organised by IGNCE under Kalaashram Institute, founded by Pt. Birju Maharaj ji , held on 7th December 2019. Deeksha to be revered & cherished - A Parampara of grace, virtuosity & excellence. Performances presented with love and respect to the Guru and the Art.
November 2019
AAMAD Dance Centre has presented Sufiana and Traditional Kathak performances on 30th November at Neemrana Fort, Rajasthan under their Classical dance & Music series
Regular Kathak dance classes of Foundation, Certificate, Diploma and Post Diploma were continued as per syllabus of Aamad. Quarterly Assessments for Students of Aamad.
On 23rd November 2019, AAMAD Dance Centre’s Artists Performed In Pt. Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande Festival At Mansour M.P. Which was Organised By MP Culture Ministry, Bhopal, M.P.
Rani Khanam was invited for the performance and workshops at Stockholm Sangeet Festival from 15 November to 18
November 2019
in Sweden. She has successfully conducted Kathak workshop with young talented dancers from all Europe & Korea. Stockholm Sangeet Festival is one of the excellent dance & Music festival in Europe.
17th November 2019
On 17th November 2019, the students of AAMAD Dance Centre were participated in the seminar for artists meet at Rajghat, the seminar was organaised by Sansakar Bharti.
15th November 2019
AAMAD is presented its new Dance production 'Suhni-Mehar Ballte’ at Kamani Auditorium, Mandi House, Organised by Sindhi Academy’s Varshik Sammam Samaroh 2019
12th November
2019 at Vrindavan Aamad Dance Centre has presented a Divine dance performance on the occasion of Bhagwat Geeta prasang by Great spiritual Guru Shri M at Vrindavan, U.P.
Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal for DHRUV Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme
23rd Oct 2019
From 13th to 23rd Oct 2019, As a one of the mentor, guru Rani Khanam was associated with 'DHRUV,' the Prime Minister Innovative Learning Programme, which was launched at the ISRO headquarter, organised by HRD Ministry.
The objective of DHRUV is to allow talented students realise their full potential and contribute to society. 30 gifted students in performing arts were selected to train under senior Gurus in their respective fields. The final presentation has taken place at Shri Fort Auditorium on 23rd Oct 2019.
August, 2019.
Press Reviews has been appeared in many leading newspapers like: HT, Pioneer in September about the AAMAD Dance Productions which was held at Mehrulli Monsoon Festival on 30th August, 2019.
The Mehrulli Monsoon Festival was organized to celebrate the joyous traditions of Saawan through performances at Jahaz Mehal, Mehruli, New Delhi by Delhi Tourism & Art and Culture Dept. Aamad Dance Centre’s artists performed Monsoon’-a Traditional composition based on Monsoon in Kathak Regular classes were conducted as per AAMAD syllabus. Theory Classes were conducted by Guru’s of Aamad and covered the following content:
• Focusing on Ideas about Natyashastra and its content.
• Teaching the History of the evolution of Kathak
14 August 2019
On 14 August 2019 at Habitat Centre, Stain Auditorium, Lodhi Road, AAMA Dance Centre’s artists has performed two Kathak dance presentations; Laygati & Yamuna Aarti in Sare Jahan Se Accha Dance Festival, organaised by Utsav organisation, New Delhi
On 13 August 2019 Lecture Demonstration for Spic Macay at Jaipuria School, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad
On 21 August 2019 Lecture Demonstration Spic Macay at St. Mark School, Janak Puri, New Delhi Guru Rani Khanam has performed with the AAMAD senior students Tanya Aggarwal and Shikha Sharma.
30 July 2019, A compilation of research work of Guru Rani Khanam, the founder secretary of AAMAD Dance Centre, on the subject of 'Study in Indo-Persian
Synthesis in Kathak dance of Lucknow gharana & Hindustani music', who has received the Senior Fellowship award for 2015 - 2016 from Ministry of Culture , Govt of India, has submitted her work to CCRT, New Delhi
28 July, 2019, Guru Rani Khanam views on the subject of ‘Why you must fall in love with yourself’ by Nona Walia appeared in Times of India with the title of Have an affair with yourself.
23 July, 2019 choreographed a successful Special Show of Ability in Disabilit (Divyang children from different part of our India ) at Parliament House Auditorium, Delhi with Honourable President of India, Vice President of India, Prime Minister of India & Speaker of Lok Sabha. Directed by Sindhu Bhagia Mishra, Choreography by Rani Khanam and Team Ritika Swati , Nikhat Aalam,Gulshan Batra (Batra Electricals) for providing Stage Lights & Sound System &Sundeep Dutta as Light Designer of the show
SUMMER BREAK from 15th June to 30th June.
June 3rd to 8th June, 2019
Summer Kathak workshop conduct for Spic Macay 7th international convention at JNU, Delhi with three eminent critics Smt. Leela Venkataraman, Smt.Manjari Sinha and shri Sunil Kothari who came to watch Kathak workshop.
So wonderful to met all together with galaxy of artists and Friends like Smt.Bharati Shivaji, Shri Wasifuddin Khan, Smt. Geetanjali Lal, Shri Jayarama Rao, Kavita Dwibedi and Sapna Kamal Sangra. There were three dance teachers Nisha Kesari, Shikha Sharma and Chavi Jain were assisted the workshop.
From 1 June to 10 June 2019, GAAMAD centre has conducted two workshops in the month of June 2019.
The 1st Workshops , & free Classes were conducted for differently abled artists to creat awareness about the disability in Arts for mass. Aamad Dance Centre conducts Free Workshops & Classes for differently abled artists & created awareness about their abilities amongst the general public at Purbasha Kali Mandir, Patparganj, Delhi. AAMAD has invited young talented physical disabled artists from Delhi to participate.
The 2nd Abhinaya Workshop was conducted by Guru Smt. Sindhu Mishra ji :
“Abhinaya Workshop” at its Centre. Smt. Sindhu Mishra ji who is renowned Bharatanatyam dancer & Guru, has successfully conducted the workshop. Apart from Aamad students, there were many students and individual dancers from outside has participated in the workshop.
From 6 to 11 May, 2019, Rani Khanam was invited to conduct Kathak Kendra, New Delhi Annual exams as an one of the examiner with full swing. With eminent & legendary examiners Guru Nandini Singh Ji Guru Ravi Gangani ji, Gurus Abhimanyu Lal , Guru Subhash Chandra , Guru Ashok Bhattacharya and Sonia gupta all together.
The 1st Workshops , & free Classes were conducted for differently abled artists to creat awareness about the disability in Arts for mass. Aamad Dance Centre conducts Free Workshops & Classes for differently abled artists & created awareness about their abilities amongst the general public at Purbasha Kali Mandir, Patparganj, Delhi. AAMAD has invited young talented physical disabled artists from Delhi to participate.
The 2nd Abhinaya Workshop was conducted by Guru Smt. Sindhu Mishra ji :
On 18 and 19 May 2019
The Annual examination of AAMAD Dance Center held on 18 & 19 May 2019 (Saturday & Sunday) at its centre. Ms. Kavita Thakur and Ms. Sonia gupta (A senior Kathak dancers) were invited as a examiners.
On 11th June 2019, Guru Rani Khanam was invited in the selection of young dancers for CCRT Scholarship from all over India.
On 18th of April, 2019, "Magic India- Ramayan " An Inclusive show based on the epic Ramayan with Russian-Indian collaboration between KOVCHEG ( Artem Moiseenko) , Aamad Dance Centre founded by renowned Kathak Dancer and composer- Guru Rani Khanam , Regional Administration of Primorye-Vladivostok-Russian Federation, The Consulate General of India in Vladivostok together with ICCR was organized at Vladivostok Circus on the 18th of April, both abled and differently abled artists from Russia and Aamad Dance centre participated including Nisha Kesari , Ridhima Singh Shikha Sharma Akanksha Gairola Sonu Gupta . The show was a huge success, it was greatly appreciated and received wide coverage in the russian media, All the artists received standing ovation by the full house. On 18 April 2019, there were Nine (9) senior students of 'Aamad Dance Center' performed at the Vladivostok State Circus in Vladivostok, Russia . Choreographed and presented "Magic India - Ramayan" an Inclusive integrated show based on the epic Ramayan. ; The name of the AAMAD artists are; Akansha Gaiorola, Shikha Sharma, Ridhima Singh, Nisha Kesari, Amir Khan, Chetan, Sonu Gupta, Manoj Kumar, Sunil Kumar and the choreography has been done by guru Rani Khanam.
Ramayan with Russian artists, it was an Indian collaboration at Vladivostok Russia on 18th of April, 2019. The Abled & Differently abled students from AAMAD Dance Centre, India and Primorye Vladivostok Russian Federation, Russia has participated together. The festival was organised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) with the collaboration of Kovcheg Artom Moiseenko, Regional Administer of Primorye Vladivostok Russian Federation & the Consulate General of India. The program was appreciated & received wide coverage in the Russian Media. All the artists received standing ovation by the full house.
On 18th April 2019, Guru Rani Khanam has choreographed and presented a very spl. Prog 'Divya Kala Shakti, Witnessing Ability in Disability' along with 173 differently able young artists from all over India has participated and performed at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, AAMAD’s students also performed had a wonderful experience to be a part of this mega Production.
MARCH 2019
Regular Kathak dance classes of Foundation, Certificate, Diploma and Post Diploma courses were continued as per syllabus of Aamad.
On 29th March 2019 Rani Khanam along with AAMAD dance Centre’s artists performed in Spic Macay’s Convention concert at IIT College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
MARCH 2019
Regular Kathak dance classes of Foundation, Certificate, Diploma and Post Diploma courses were continued as per syllabus of Aamad.
On 29th March 2019 Rani Khanam along with AAMAD dance Centre’s artists performed in Spic Macay’s Convention concert at IIT College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
From 13 March to 17 March 2019
AAMAD Centre’s artists were invited by Ministry of Culture, India to give their elegant Kathak dance performance in 'Festival of India’ dance & Music Festival at Doha, Qatar. There were 3 major performances in Qatar for Qatar residents and south Asian communities. The tour started from 13 March 2019 to 17th March 2019. Tour was organised by Indian Cultural Centre at Doha- Qatar and Ministry of Culture, India. It was as part of India Qatar Cultural Year.
The main artists were Rani Khanam, Meha Jha, Shikha Sharma, Ridhima Singh, Tanya Sehgal, Tanya Aggarwal, Saumya Kohli and Shubangee Goel. The group has performed at Katara, Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al Thani, ICC Ashoka Hall in Doha / Qatar. The artists have presented the traditional dance composition and Sufiana Composition. The program was based on digital recording.
March 2019
On 19th March 2019, AAMAD Dance Centre celebrated ‘HOLI MILAN’ at Shipra Krishna Azure, Basement - Big Hall Plot No. 7, Kaushambi, UP. All the students, Rasikas, Senior Dancers, Gurus and media person have attend the festival.
AAMAD has invited senior artists like Smt. Rekha Mehra a senior Kathak exponent, , Sanjukta Gat (Vocalist)from Pune to perform. There were few dance presentation by AAMAD’s Guru, Teachers and students. Tabla was accompanied by Ust. Naushad Ahmed and Harmonium by Zoheb Hasan.
On 13th March 2019, at Varanaisi, the Benaras club has organised an evening of ‘Sufiana’ Ruhaniyat Ki Ore dance festival. AAMAD Dance Centre’s artists and students at Varanasi.The program was organised by Benaras Club, Varanasi, U.P.
On 2nd March, 2019, Aamad artists performed in Tatva 2019 Dance & Music Festival at Jammu. The program was organised by J & K Spic Macay .
On 23rd Feb, 2019, AAMAD Artists has performed at Bulandsehar in Dance & Music Festival, UP. AAMAD Artists & Senior students like; Shikha Sharma, Ridhima Singh, Tanya Sehgal, Nisha Kesari, Soumya Kohli, Abhipriya Sharma, Lawanya gupta, Shubhangee Goyal and Jhalak Singh Performed with Rani Khanam.
For 26th January 2019, Guru Rani Khanam was invited one of the expert committee member, at India gate for the selection of School Children dance performance for Republic Day Parade,2019
On 22nd February 2019, Prasar Bharati team came to our AAMAD Centre, on the behalf of AAMAD centre, we gave the Good wishes for their upcoming 2nd international Asian Broadcasting TV Dance festival. In the 1st ABU international TV Dance Festival, AAMAD’s choreographic work 'Andaz E Raqs' was selected & performed by the students, there were many other artists came from 13 countries and were participated in this festival in 2017
On 12th February 2019, AAMAD Centre’s artists were Participated in ‘Prayagraj Khumb Mela’ 2019 organised by North Centre Zone Cultural Centre NCZCC, Allahabad. We have presented our new production' which was well received by audience and Media.
Review in the Samikhsya by Smt. Leela Venkataraman …….. "Far away from the exhibitionistic Kathak one is generally treated to, Rani Khanam’s Kathak with the Lucknow ‘andaz’ revels in underplayed artistry- seen in both the Surdas composition “Nachata Sudhanda Sreenandananda” followed by Yamunashtakam. It was Kathak without any attempt at showing off one’s skill. And Khanam quietly weaves in all the aspects of technique in Nritta like Thata, Tukra, Chal, Kavit, Gat, Paran, etc with Chakkars and tatkar in the group .
Review in Narthak by Shri Sunil Kothari ……..From Delhi, the renowned dancer Rani Khanam, a senior disciple of Pandit Birju Maharaj, represented nazakat, delicacy and khubsurati, beauty of Lucknow gharana, with her well trained dancers. She wove in intra forms of tode, tukde, amad, paran taking palta and decorated the dance with graceful movements highlighting the beauty of Lucknow gharana. The poetry of Surdas found a felicitous expression in her abhinaya and dancing of her troupe. Rani Khanam is a name to reckon with in the world of Kathak. Her own choreography of Sufi saint poets has won her international reputation and unqualified success for expanding the boundaries of Kathak repertoire. Equally at ease with Braj literature as with Islamic literature, she is a link between religions that aim at oneness
Regular Kathak dance classes of Foundation, Certificate, Diploma and Post Diploma were continued as per syllabus of Aamad.
On 5th February, 2019
Aamad Kathak Dance Centre has presented its two new dance productions on 5thFebruary 2019 at supported by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India at stein Auditorium, Habitat Centre, Delhi.
Choreography done by Guru Rani Khanam, Lights by Sandeep Dutta, Introduction by Rani Khanam, Sets by Mohan Singh Rawat, Music by Imran Khan & Shuheb Hasan., Videography by Ashwani Chopra and Photos by Prasad Siddhanthi.
In Wajid Ali Shah dance Production, the choreography was based on Nawab WajidAli shah’s great compositions, Thumri, Ghazal and creations in Kathak. Kathak classical dance attained new heights of popularity and glory under Last Nawab of Awadh ‘Wajid Ali Shah’s expert guidance and lavish patronage.
Ghazal
The first choreography based on Wajid Ali Shah’s Ghazals and couplets , which were exclusively about "earthly love" (ishq-e-majazi), but many of them can be interpreted in either context, Divine Love (ishq-e-haqiqi) and can be viewed in a spiritual context, with the Beloved being a metaphor for God or the poet's spiritual master. Dancers performed first Thumri which was based on Radha Krishna love and other the second Thumri was based on Wajid Ali Shah most famous and poignant Thumri “Babul Mora Naihar Chchoo to Jay”, in which Nawab expressed his innermost feeling during his last days in Kolkatta (Calcutta).
Gatnikas The second choreography was based on Wajid Ali shah’s book ‘Musunmi-Ba-Banni - on Kathak dance, which highlights his masterful amalgam of Indian and Persian culture. The dancers has presented few gatnikas out of 36 types of Rahas, were all set in Taal Teentaal & Roopak taal with colourful names including Mor-Chchatr, Ghunghat, Salami, Mor Pankhi, Husn, Adda, Fariyaadi, Peshwaj etc.
RAHAS
The third choreography was based on Rahas. It is a kind of group performance in which Wajld Ali Shah blended the classical Kathak and Ras folk dance of braj. In it group dancing was performed and the dance contained a sustained theme depicted by various mudras and bhav. The choreography played a very important part in these Items. Amad-o Raf, Ghumta. Gardlsh-o Bramarl. Tukra, all these technicalities were integrated in Rahas. The difference was that Gats in Kathak were danced in to and fro movements while, in this, the Gats were danced by going about in circles (halgas) and semi-circles in consonance with the original concept of Ras.
2nd Production;
Zikir & Noor - the Divine Grace A Kathak dance performance is all about an expression of mystical poetry from Sufism / Zikir (Assam), Hamd, Mankabad. Sufism / Bhakti go beyond religion, it’s a direct connect with the creator in the quest for personal enlightenment and self-realization, transcending churches, temples, mosques and their rituals. The legend Kathak Guru Smt. Manju Shree Chetterji and senior photographer Shri Avinash Pasricha given flowers to the artists at the end of the programme.
On 3rd February, 2019 at Spic Macay Convention program at Patna. Rani Khanam and Shikha Sharma with Kiran Seth (Founder-Spic Macay) and Vivek Sinha (Coordinator).The performance was accompanied by Naushad Ahmed, Shuheb Hasan and Nasir Khan.
On 1st February 2019, a solo performance presented by guru Rani Khanam for ‘Naad Nartan’ organisation at Triveni Kala Sangam auditorium, New Delhi., The festival was dedicated to Late guru Tirath Ram Azad ji. Legend Smt. Urmila Nagar ji has grace the festival and given flowers to the artists. The accompanist were ,Naushad Ahmed, Nasir Khan, Shuheb Hasan and Shikha Sharma.
On January 15, 2019, AAMAD Dance Centre has celebrated its 22nd edition of Annual Kathak Dance Festival 'ANTARANG' at Shri Ram Centre Auditorium, Safadar Hashmi Marg, New Delhi at 5 PM.The festival concept was to express of various emotions and vibrant Kathak traditional performance of an in-depth journey through Guru Shishya Prampara with International Artist & upcoming Kathak dancers.
The annual Festival provides opportunity for its senior and young students to present their training of Kathak on professional platform. Festival had a privilege to have renowned Guru Janaki Petric from New York, who performed Kathak in This festival. There were many senior most & renowned Gurus & artists, who grace the festival with their presence.