The Indian Classical Music and Dance Group
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

The Indian Classical Music and Dance Group - established during the Winter 2003 semester by students at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is a registered non-profit student organization. The group aims to enrich the Indian classical music and dance talent in the community, and to draw interest from a wide spectrum of audiences in classical Indian art forms. The group also intends to raise funds for charitable causes by using Indian art forms as mediums. For information, please email icmd.contact@umich.edu .


Indian Classical Music
Indian classical music is nearly three thousand years old. Indigenous music styles and schools evolved and developed in different regions of the country, by blending ritualistic and folk music. The semantic divide between the two styles - Hindustani and Carnatic - originated during the time of the “Sangeetaratnakara” of Sharangadeva (1210-1247AD). This bifurcation was later enhanced by influences from the Mid-East. The divided styles were described for the first time as “Hindustani” and “Carnatic” by Haripaladeva in his text  “Sangeetasudhakara” (1312AD). The fundamental elements of both styles are raag (melody) and taal (rhythm). Both Hindustani and Carnatic music follow a melodic line and employ a drone (tanpura) with the help of one or two notes against the melody. Both the styles use definite scales to define a raga but the raga can be rendered in distinctively different fashions. Carnatic music follows the Melakarta concept to categorize ragas while Hindustani music uses the concept of Thaats. In Hindustani music, a taal is made up of a number of matras or beats. A unique set of bols (patterns) define each taal. There are a number of taals including daadra, teentaal, deepchandi, jat, and kaharvaa. In Carnatic music, there are 7 core taalas - Dhruva, Matya, Rupaka, Jhampa, Triputa, Ata, and Eka. All Carnatic taalas are derived from these sapta talas. Hindustani compositions include Dhrupads, Khayals, Tappas, Taranas and Thumris while Carnatic compositions include Varnams, Kritis, Javalis, Swarajathis, Viruttams and Tillanas.


Indian Classical Dance
Indian philosophy and theology associate the Divine with every aspect of Life. Krishna and the Gopis, Rama and Sita, Shiva and Parvati, and the multitude of the Divine manifestations are ever present in stories and art, not as remote abstractions, but as Divine 'people'. The Indian fondness for personifying abstract principles implies that the abstract truth is accessible to individuals so that they may become identified with the Divine. Art, especially dance, consequently does not constitute a form of entertainment, but an expression of spiritual energy in worldly terms. In Indian classical dance forms, the dancer represents a vehicle for the realization of a higher spiritual goal. A number of Indian classical dance forms exist, each of which can be traced to different parts of the country. Each form represents the culture and ethos of a particular region or a group of people. The most popular classical styles seen on the Indian stage are Bharatanatyam of Tamil Nadu, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam of Kerala, Odissi of Orissa, Kathak of Uttar Pradesh, Kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh and Manipuri of Manipur. Besides these, there are several semi-classical styles that contribute to the plethora of Indian dance forms.


OUR PERFORMANCES

1. Indian Students' Association , Ann Arbor, Michigan - Holi (March 29, 2003)

    Pictures: 1


2. Pampa Kannada Koota, Southfield, Michigan - Ugadi Celebration (April 26, 2003)
  
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3. Thyagraja Aradhana, Flint, Michigan (May 17, 2003)

    The contribution of Saint Thyagaraja, one of the Trinities of Carnatic music, has been immense not only through his compositions but also through his Shishya (Disciple) Parampara , which has preserved and enriched the tradition of Carnatic classical music. Thyagaraja's compositions are rich in devotional and philosophical content. They are noted for their superior structure and apt choice of ragas and words. The world of Carnatic music owes a lot to Saint Thyagaraja for the treasure that he has bestowed. As a mark of respect and thanksgiving to the Saint, Carnatic musicians pay their reverence to the Saint by singing the Pancharatna (five jewel ) krithis.
   
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4. Swaranjali, Ann Arbor, Michigan (August 15, 2003)
   
    Event Brochure (PDF)

    Pictures: 1


5. Persian Students' Association, Ann Arbor, Michigan - Persian Culture (October 3, 2003)

    Event Brochure (PDF)

    Pictures: 1     2


6. Kalakriti, Ann Arbor, Michigan (November 15, 2003)

    Event Brochure (PDF)

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7. Indian Students' Association, Ann Arbor, Michigan - Diwali (November 21, 2003)

    Pictures: 1


8. PROVIDES Charity Cultural Show, Ann Arbor, Michigan (February 7, 2004)

    PROVIDES is a student organization that is dedicated to alleviating world hunger. They organize a series of fundraisers to raise money for children around the world. One of these fundraisers was the Music and Culture Festival held on February 7, 2004.

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9. Singapore and Malaysian Students' Associations - Cultural Show, Ann Arbor, Michigan (February 13, 2004)

    Pictures: 1     2


10.Asha For Education , Ann Arbor, Michigan - Umang Tarang (February 14, 2004)

     Event Brochure (PDF)    Cover     Inside

     Pictures: 1     2


11. Raagamaalika, Ann Arbor, Michigan (March 28, 2004)
   
      Event Brochure (PDF)

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12. US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency), Ann Arbor, Michigan - Asia-Pacific, American Islander Month (May 4, 2004)
   
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13. Thyagraja Aradhana, Flint, Michigan (May 22, 2004)

      Pictures: 1


14. Pampa Kannada Koota, Southfield, Michigan -  Concert with Sangeeta Katti (June 19, 2004)
  
    Pictures: 1      2


15. Tarangini, Ann Arbor, Michigan (October 30, 2004) - HTML Links are Currently Inactive
   
      Event Brochure (PDF)

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16. Geetanjali, Ann Arbor, Michigan (March 18, 2005)
   
      Event Brochure (DOC)

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17. Natyanjali, Ann Arbor, Michigan (March 26, 2005)
   
      Event Brochure (PDF)

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18. Rhythms and Roots, Ann Arbor, Michigan (April 14, 2005)
   
      Pictures: 1