Dr. Neena Prasad

Bharatnatyam dancer, Mohiniattam dancer, Kuchipudi dancer, Kathakali dancer

Biography

'Mohiniyattam, for me, epitomises the best exposition of lasya. With its gentle pace and rhythm, and the swaying movement, it recreates the gentle landscape of Kerala, the beautiful land of its birth.'

Through its rhythmic patterns, dressing style and unique features, Mohiniyattam is truly distinct and different from other dance forms of South India, and has become justly famous the world over.

I have been trained extensively in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Kathakali at the feet of renowned masters such as Adyar Lakshmanan, Vempatti Chinnasatyam and Vembayam Appukkuttan Pillay. After years of dedicated and arduous study, I returned to my first love, Mohiniyattam.

It involved another period of rigorous training under Kalamandalam Sugandhi and Kalamandalam Kshemavathi. I started to explore my research inquisitiveness as I joined simultaneously for my PhD at Rabindra Bharati University, West Bengal. Research became part of my living and this molded me further as a dancer and an academician. And this continues.

Also, I could conduct extensive research in Mohiniyattam. This made me to discover the roots of the tradition and build a bridge between the practices and the treatises. The academic exposure fine tuned the researcher in me. Thanks to all opportunities which came my way.

Mohiniyattam to me is a journey inward. Dance revealed to me the truth and cause of my existence. With my dance I touch the soul of nature, and it binds me to the cosmos. My passion elevates my dance to a realm of meditation.

PhD Summary of Dr. Neena Prasad:

'The concepts of Lasya and Tandava in the classical dances of South India : A detailed Study' is an in-depth examination of the various manifestation of lasya and tandava, the two fundamental and philosophical modes common to all classical dance forms in India. The study explored, how these twin concepts are aesthetically differentiated and synthesized in the South Indian dance such as Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi and Kathakali. The work looks at the concepts from the classical canons of Indian aesthetics beginning from Bharatha and other leading exponents of the Sound theory of the nine sentiments, or the Doctrine of Rasa.

Post Doctoral Fellowship

Dr Neena was awarded a Research Fellowship from the AHRB Research Center for Cross Cultural Music and Dance Performance, University of Surrey. UK. She worked on the theme: Post Colonial Identity Construction: The study explores the evolution of the protagonist, or ‘Nayika’ from the colonial period, to its present form in the post colonial context.

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Dr. Neena Prasad

Dancer Dr. Neena Prasad

Kuchipudi dancer Dr. Neena Pasad

Dr. Neena Pasad teaching

Dr. Neena Prasad

Dr. Neena Prasad performing

Career

Dr Neena Prasad believes that classical dances today, even while ventures new and contemporary themes in the performances, dancers need to bind firmly to the basic form and technique. The traditional recital experience enables and capacities a dancer to expand her repertoire further. Dr Neena holds this principle and hence she as a staunch disciplinarian, expanded the traditional repertoire choreographing many items.

Cholkettus- Arabhi, Sankirna jaati, jhampa, Gambhira Natai Misra jati triputa, Kedaram, chaturasra jati matya talam, Ritigowla, Ata talam, pancha nati, Ragamalika talamalika, thematic cholkettus as Panchabhootha cholkettu on Lord Shiva, Cholkettu embedded with Devi Kesadipadam in Ananda bhairaavi, Adi talam are some of her novel choreographies.

Jatiswaram- Kharaharapriya, misrachapu, Sarnga adi, Saveri misrachapu, Ragamalika talamalika

Padavarnams- Sa Para vivasa, (Mukhari adi), Rama ava akhila (sankarabharanam), Mathe ganga (Saveri ,adi), Sumasayaka (kapi roopakam), Sakhe Krishna on Droupathi (latangi, adi), assannmayallo (pantuvarali adi) on Kunti etc. are some of her traditional and thematic padavarnams.

Kritis, Padams keertanams and ashtapadis- more than twenty items in this group.

Thillana- Hamsanadam adi, Thilang roopakam, bihag adi, dhanasri adi, revathi adi, Amirthavarshini.

Papers Presented

* 'Changambuzha- Beyond Poetry', Kendra Sahitya Akademi

* Tandava in Mohiniyattam – Samavesh & Aseema Trust Chennai

* Diaspora and Indian Performing Arts for UGC – SAP, Institute of English, Center for Canadian Studies, University of Kerala

* Are Classical Dance Forms on the Decline? – A Traditionalist's View (Paper presented for Guru Gopinath Natana Kala Gramam, A National Seminar)

* The Nayikas of Swati Thirunal, for Sangeetha Bharathi

* Art and Society, Annual Gathering of Artistes, Kaladarpanam

* Dance, Music and Literature-their mutual relationship with Painting and other Plastic Arts –An Interdisciplinary Approach, Kalagramam

* Music, Dance and Literature-Comparative Literature Society

* Mohiniyattam - Kerala Calling, Regular Journal of Public Relations Department, Kerala

* Frequent writer in several contemporary Journals and Research publications

* Art and Society, Annual Gathering of Artistes, Kaladarpana

* Dance, Music and Literature-their mutual relationship with Painting and other Plastic Arts –An Interdisciplinary Approach, Kalagramam

* Music, Dance and Literature-Comparative Literature Society

* Mohiniyattam - Kerala Calling, Thiruvananthapuram

Professional Memberships

Member of the Governing Council of Kerala Kalamandalam (Apex Center of Kerala Dance and Theatre) (2005)

Member of Jury, Appellate Committee, Kerala State Youth Festival

Nominated to the Senate, Kerala University

Member of Jury, Swaralaya Annual Award Committee,2003

Additional Professional Activities

Member, Expert Committee and Governing Body, constituted by

Government of Kerala for converting Kerala Kalamandalam to a Deemed University

Expert in Jury Committee, for awarding research scholarships and fellowships (Department of Culture, Government of India)

Member, Board of Visual Arts, University of Kerala

Chairperson, Board of Examination PG and Degree, Mohiniyattam, M.G.University

Guest Faculty for Art and Culture, Kerala Institute for Travel and Tourism Studies, Thiruvananthapuram

Faculty for Performing Arts, International Centre for Kerala Studies, University of Kerala

Dr Neena Prasad has graced the most distinguished stages, performing Mohiniyattam recitals and specially choreographed works across the country and abroad. Here is a selection of her performances:

* International

Festival of India,in Japan

Banweol Art Centre, Pocheon city, South Korea

Festival of India, Russia,and St Petersburgh ( Bolshoi Theatre)

Festival of Kerala,Qatar.

Mudra Fine Arts ,Singpore

Evora Festival Orientale, Portugal

Les Orientales, St. Florent Veil, France

Musee Guimet, Paris, France

India Festival, Switzerland

India Festival, Bonn, Cologne and Frankfurt

* National

Swathi Thirunal 200th birth anniversary special prog- New Delhi & Tvpm,2013

Epic Women,Kartik Fine Arts, 2013

Kinkini Mahotsav, 2013,Bangalore

Sare Jahan Se Acha,August,2012,New Delhi

Nrityabharati Festival,March,2012,New Delhi

Heritage Concert I C C R Bangaluru,2012

Konark Dance Festival, dec, 2011

Inter National Festival for Sacred Arts, New Delhi 2011

Dhauli Festival Orissa,2011

National Center for Performing Arts, Mumbai, 2010

Parampara Festival, New Delhi, 2009

Madras Music Academy, 2001,2009

Elephanta Dance Festival, 2008

Nritya Sangam Festival of Dance, Sangeet Natak Akademy Dance Festival, Lucknow, 2006

National Festival for New Choreography, Impresario India, New Delhi, 2006

International Dance Alliance 20th Anniversary Celebrations Dance Festival, Chennai, 2006

Mamallapuram Dance Festival, Chennai, 2005-06

State Formation Day Celebrations, Dehradun, 2005

State Formation Day Celebration, Dehradun

Muperum Festival, Tamilnadu Eyal isai natakamanram

Mudra Festival, Thiruvananthapuram – 2005

Ellora Festival, Ellora – 2004

Ananya Festival, New Delhi – 2004

Chhand Festival, Bhopal – 2004

Swaralaya Festival, Palakkad – 2004

International Buddhist Conclave, New Delhi–2004

World Social Forum, Mumbai-2004

Kalidas Festival, Nagpur–2003

India Habitat Centre, New Delhi–2003

Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur–2003

Malabar Mahotsav, Calicut–2003

Kinkini Mahotsav, Bangalore–2003

India International Centre, New Delhi–2002

Swaralaya, New Delhi–2002

Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai–2002

The Madras Music Academy, Chennai–2001

Nishagandhi Dance Festival, Thiruvananthapuram–2001

Mamallapuram Dance Festival, Chennai–2000

Swarnotsav, Kendra Sangeet Natak Academy,Ahmedabad–2000

National Festival of Mohiniyattam, Mumbai-2000 (List is only illustrative)

* Nritta Sahityam - National seminar inauguration and Lecture and Demonstration on the topic-:

Narthakiyude Sameepanavum Aavishkkaaravum (The literature of Mohiniyattam- A Dancer's Approach and Presentation) Date :4th March 2014

Venue : Kerlaa varma college, Trichur

Mohiniyattam recital at Neyyattinkara Krishna Swaami Kshetram

Mohiniyattam recital Date : 4th April 2014

Venue : Kolkatta, I C C R Auditorium

Mohiniyattam Workshop Date : 3rd Week April 2014

Venue : Kasaragod

Touring with Spic Macay Date : 27th Jan 2014

Venue : Kerala chapter in North Kerala

Kalavardhini Date : 12th Jan 2014

Venue : Madras Music Academy

Mohiniyattam Concert Date : 4th Jan 2014

Venue : Madras Music Academy

Mohiniyattam concert for Kalakshetra Festival Date : 28th Dec 2013

Venue : Chennai

Samavesh Date : 22nd Dec 2013

Venue : Bangalore

Murajapam Date : 18th Dec 2013

Venue : Padmanabha Swamy Temple

Scholar in Residence (work shop) Date : 11th, 12th, 13th November 2013

Venue : Govt RLV college, Thrippoonithura

Mayilpeeli Award Date : 12th Oct 2013

Venue : Kannoor

Mohiniyattam Kutcheri concert by Sougandhika Center for Mohiniyattam Date : 18th Sep 2013

Venue : Nishagandhi Auditorium

Dance Festival Date : 29th May 2013

Venue : Habitat Center , New Delhi

Sougandhika Center for Mohiniyattam running Mohiniyattam Intensive camp Date : May 1st - 10th 2013

Venue : Thiruvananthapuram

Dance Festival Date : 26th April

Venue : Raangavilasam Palace, Thiruvananthapuram

Dance Festival

Date : April 18th- 24th

Venue : Spic Macay, Circuit Tour, Bangalore, Karnataka.

Performance of swati Kritis, commemorating Maharaja Swati Thirunal's 200th birthday

Date : 16th April 2013

Dance Festival Date : 6th, 7th April 2013

Venue : Mudhra Fine Arts, Singapore

Dance Festival Date : 10th February 2013

Venue : Gouri Creations at Palakkad

Kinkini Festival Date : 29th January 2013

Venue : Bangalore

Epic Women - Soorpanakha Date : 21st December 2012

Venue : Kartik Fine Arts, Chennai

Programs

Dr. Neena Prasad presents Mohiniyattam recital

Mohiniyattam, for Neena Prasad, epitomises the best exposition of lasya. With its gentle pace and rhythm, and the swaying movement, it recreates the gentle landscape of Kerala, the beautiful land of its birth. Through its rhythmic patterns, dressing style and unique features, Mohiniyattam is truly distinct and different from other dance forms of South India, and has become justly famous the world over.

Awards & Achievements

After her MA in English Literature, she was awarded PhD from Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta, for her thesis on 'The concepts of Lasya and Tandava in the classical dances of South India-A detailed Study'.