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Flamenco

Dance and music

DAMARU

Indian classical music-dance group - Kathak (CZ)

The group Damaru stems from the tradition of the north Indian temple dance kathak but delicately re shapes it in a new creative manner. Experts consider kathak to be the only Indian classical dance in which even the Indian artists can use new choreography. Damaru has been founded upon the ancient principles of north Indian classical ragas. The musical part of the performance is enriched in some of its parts with several other instruments and colours (including didgeridoo and overtone singing) and even modern sampling technology.

Ivana Hessová – kathak She graduated from the Theatre Academy of Arts. With Tujú, an alternative group, she performed both in CZ and abroad (Mexico, New York, Denmark, Austria, Poland etc.) In 1992 Ivana Hessová started to work for the Montreurs D'Images Theatre in Switzerland where she studied kathak dance, classical ceremonial dance of northern India, under the guidance of French professor Nathalie Rapallie. In 1992 in Geneva, Switzerland, she became a disciple of the Indian master of kathak Mata Prasad Mishra. In 1997 she undertook a study trip to India. The following year she participated as an actress and dancer in Draupadí, a highly challenging performance focusing on the vedic myth Mahabharata launched by Montreurs D'Images Theatre together with Mr. M. P. Mishra. On completing her Indian studies in February 2001 at guru Nirupama Rajendra in Bangalore (Lucknow Gharana) and in June 2001 at guru Mata Prasad Mishra in Benares (Baranas Gharana) she worked as stage director and dancer in the performance entitled Indian Inspiration. Since 1995 she teaches Indian dance kathak, leads a dance studio and summer school project.

Anežka Hessová – kathak In 1991 she accompanied her mother to Switzerland, there she studied French at a private Waldorf school and contemporary dance under the guidance of Mrs Monique Decosterd. She also took part in many theatre projects of Theatre Montreurs d'Images. In 1998 she took up the study of Kathak Indian dance as a disciple of guru Mata Prasad Mishra, she continued her training in Prague and in 2001 she travelled to India to improve her kathak dance skills in Bangalore and in Benares in the classes of guru Nirupama Rajendra and Mata Prasad Mishra. As a dancer she takes part in the "Indian Inspiration" performance. She also co-operates with the theatre group NUN and with Bohnicka theatre company.

Elena Kubičková
E. Kubičková studied classical violin under Prof. Gita Morenová from Prague Conservatory. Then, she played for several years with a chamber string orchestra. She was educated in Indian music by violinist and musicologist Prof. Dr. Smarajit Chakravorty; in Varanasi, India, she studied at Dr. V. Balaji - singer and violinist, professor at Banaras Hindu University and at the sitar player Jibendra Goswamí. She plays the esraj since 1990. Together with other musicians she released two CDs. Music pieces from one of them were used in Igor Chaun`s film trilogy "Cesta do Indie" (Journey to India). She co-operated with guitarist Petr Korbelář (CD - Sankirna). She takes part in various festivals, e.g. Boskovice, Frýdek Místek, Lipnice, Alternativa (Theatre Archa). She also performed in Poland and in Italy.

Tomáš Reindl studied the percussion in Pilsen conservatory and later continued in private lessons at Prof. Kympl (Conservatory of J.J.) and at jazz percussionist Ivan Audes, he also took part at the summer workshop Berklee School of Music in Perugia (Italy). Since 1998 he devotes himself to playing the tabla and the Indian classical music. The basics of tabla playing were disclosed to him by tablist Emil Heyrovský. In 2001 he travelled to Benares, India, to become the disciple of the outstanding tablist and dancer Mata Prasad Mishra. He performed together with Kumura band at several festivals and concerts (e.g. Festival of the Light of Rainbow 2000, performance with Iva Bitová in Boskovice 2000, Klenová, Day for India, Boskovice 2002).