- Darshana Jhaveri
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Darshana Jhaveri Born 1940 (age 70–71)
Mumbai, IndiaDarshana Jhaveri (Gujarati: દર્શના ઝવેરી) (born 1940), the youngest of the four Jhaveri sisters, is a leading Indian exponent of Manipuri dance, an Indian classical dance form.[1] She is a disciple of Guru Bipin Singh, and started performing on stage in 1958 along with her sisters.[2] She is one of the founder of the Manipuri Nartanalaya in 1972, which popularized Manipuri dance in India, and is currently headed by her, with centres at Mumbai, Kolkata and Imphal.[3][4]
Contents
Early life and training
Born and brought up in Mumbai in a Gujarati household. At the age of six she saw her elder sisters, Nayana and Ranjana, learn Manipuri dance from Guru Bipin Singh at their home, soon she too started learning the dance form, along with her sister Suverna.[1][5] Later, she learned the traditional Raslila dances from Sutradhari Kshetritombi Devi, the Nata Pung from Guru Meitei Tomba Singh and traditional Maibi Jagoi from Kumar Maibi.
Career
By 1950s, the Jhaveri sisters, Nayana, Ranjana, Suverna and Darshana had started performing together on stage all over India and abroad, and in 1956 were the first non-Manipuris to perform their dances at the Govindji Temple inside the royal palace of Imphal. Eventually the sisters established the Manipuri Nartanalaya with their Guru and Kalavati Devi in 1972, at Mumbai, Kolkata and Imphal,[1][6] and in time their name became synonymous to Manipuri dance.[7] Over the years, Darshana has published several books and articles on the dance and has assisted her guru during his lifetime, in teaching, research as well as in choreography, before taking on the mantle herself.[8]
Today, according to a noted dance critic Sunil Kothari, they are "responsible for bringing the temple tradition of Manipuri dance to the cities". Nayana died two decades ago and with Suverna unwell, Ranjana and Darshana continue to perform along with her Dance troupe and teach Manipuri dance.[9][10]
Awards and honors
Darshana Jhaveri received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Dance, Music and Drama.[11] She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2002.
Notes
- ^ a b c Ajith Kumar, P.K. (2 March 2007). "Dancer's mission". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/03/02/stories/2007030201000300.htm. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
- ^ "Subtle expressions: Darshana Jhaveri enthralled the audience with her Manipuri dance recital.". The Hindu. February 16, 2007. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2007/02/16/stories/2007021600810300.htm. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
- ^ "Illuminating show on dance choreography: It was a happy confluence of teachers and disciples as Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai, celebrated its Golden Jubilee.". The Hindu. November 21, 2003. http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/11/21/stories/2003112101220400.htm. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
- ^ Doshi, p. 43
- ^ "Learn a traditional art form: Darshana Jhaveri". The Times o f India. Jan 29, 2010. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Learn-a-traditional-art-form-Darshana-Jhaveri/articleshow/5513411.cms. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
- ^ Singha, p. 177
- ^ "Sisters in sync". India Today. February 13, 2008. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/4545/Simply%20Gujarati/Sisters+in+sync.html. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
- ^ Darshana Jhaveri
- ^ "DANCING QUEENS". India Today. January 16, 2008. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/3604/Simply%20Kolkata/Renewed+splendour.html. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
- ^ "Dance Listings: DOWNTOWN DANCE FESTIVAL". New York Times. August 24, 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/24/arts/dance/24dance.html?pagewanted=print. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
- ^ Dance Manipuri awardees Sangeet Natak Akademi website
References
- Singha, Rina; Reginald Massey (1967). Indian dances: their history and growth. Braziller.
- Doshi, Saryu (1989). Dances of Manipur: the classical tradition. Marg Publications. ISBN 8185026092.
External links
Categories:- Indian dancers
- Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Recipients of the Padma Shri
- People from Mumbai
- Living people
- Gujarati people
- 1940 births
- Dance instructors
- Indian classical choreographers
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