Essence of Life is a performing art group based in Bangalore, established by Dega Deva Kumar Reddy in 2012 to promote teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti.[1]
 Essence of Life dance form | |
| Formation | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dega Deva Kumar Reddy |
| Purpose | Dance Group for Indian classical dance sharing teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti |
| Location |
|
Parent organization | The Pathless Land |
| Affiliations | Jiddu Krishnamurti |
Essence of Life is a synergy of five Indian classical dance forms - Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak and Mohiniyattam. The group organized several dance performances across India in the past decade.[2]
Naming
editThe name "Essence of Life" is inspired from Jiddu Krishnamurti's quote "Meditation is not a separate thing from life; it is the very essence of life, the very essence of daily living".[3]
Philosophy
editInspired by Jiddu Krishnamurti's teachings, Dega Deva Kumar Reddy conceptualized and produced 'Essence of Life'.[4] The dance form is based on basic human problems and emotions that Jiddu Krishnamurti often addressed in his talks and books - fear, suffering, jealousy, violence, hurt, love and death.[5]
Prominent artists from established music and dance traditions across India came together to communicate Krishnamurti's teachings through Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak and Mohiniyattam.[6]
Theme
editArt of Meditation
editDhyanasya Amukham - Introduction to Meditation Dhyanasya Puravrttam - Myths of Meditation Katham Jaagriti Jaayate - How does awareness come about Dhyana kala - The art of meditation Dhyanaartha kim yatharta maunam - What is true silence which leads to meditation
Essence of Life
editManovignaanam - Understanding our mind Bhayaatah svatantramah - Freedom from fear Samsayaa vina saadhyam kim jeevanam - Can we live without problem Kim saadyam pumsaam parivarthanam - Can human being change Rather saundaryam - Beauty of love
Finale
editThillana - Freedom from self
Dance form
editDance form | Ragam
edit- Bharatanatyam - Charukesi
- Kuchipudi - Surya & Huseni Kouns
- Kathak - Madhumad Sarang
- Odissi - Mishra Lavangi
- Mohiniyattam - Madhumad Sar
Artists and Musicians
editConcept
edit- Dega Deva Kumar Reddy, Conceptualized and produced
- B Aruna Sivarama Krishna, Conceptual designer and music composer
- Dr Thiagarajan, Sanskrit translation
Dancers
edit- Smitha Madhav[7] - Bharatanatyam
- Prateeksha Kashi - Kuchipudi
- Achuta Manasa – Kathak
- Pali Chandra - Kathak
- Masako Ono – Odissi
- Rashmi Menon – Mohiniyattam
Vocals
edit- Padma Vibhushan Hariharan
- Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar
- Pt. Raghunandan Panshikar, Lalitha Sharma
- Sooraj Santhosh, Saindhavi
- Varijashree Venugopal, Sangeetha
Instrumental
edit- Ustad Murad Ali Khan - Sarangi
- Bhuto & BV Balasai - Flute
- BV Raghavendra Rao - Violin
- Allam Durga Prasad - Gottuvadhyam
- Bhavani Prasad - Veena
- B Sivarama Krishna - Sitar
- Sarang - Sarod
- Balesh - Shehnai
- Shrikanth - Hawaii Guitar (Steel guitar)
- DA Srinivas - Mridangam
- Kesavan - Chanda, Idakka & Maddalam
- Venkatesh & B Ganesh Rao - Tabla
- Omkar & Jagadeesh - Pakhavaj
- Chandra Sekhar - Pakhavaj
- Manjunath - Percussion instrument
- DA Srinivas & Kesavan - Jathi
- Manjunath & Jagdeesh - Bhols
References
edit- ^ "Dance and philosophy on a stage". Deccan Herald. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ "Expressing 'Essence of Life' Unique Dance Performance enthralls". Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ "Discovering the essence of life". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ "Dega Dev Kumar Reddy - Dega Arts Founder at Essence of Life - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ Kumar, Ranee (16 May 2013). "Concretising the abstract". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ "The dance of life". mid-day. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ "Smitha Madhav talking about Dance & Music at Essence of Life - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.