Kalamandir Dance Company is a contemporary ensemble that creates a new language by breaking through the boundaries of classical Indian Dance. Our movement vocabulary creates a reachable area for all people to participate and communicate. Instead of diminishing the foundation of our art, we look to investigate its potential. We are devoted to 'art for art's sake', and are driven by creativity, human emotions, and a desire to be released from the ordinary, the four walls of our daily existence.
Created in early 2009, Kalamandir Dance Co. is a new vision of Malabika Guha, director and teacher of the 22 years-running Kalamandir Kathak and Creative Dance school of NJ. Malabika wanted to bring together advanced dancers with a foundation in Indian Classical dances and use their capabilities to expand on original storylines and ideas.
The idea is simple: there is no particular style. However, a base of Indian Classical dance, whichever form it may be, will be present throughout the numbers. Off of that base, movement research and modern dance will take place, and a sea of possibilities will open up right in front of our eyes.
Musical influences include Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain, Ananda Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, Yanni, Bikram Ghosh, A.R. Rahman, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, jazz instrumentals, international instrumentals, hip hop instrumentals, etc. Any fusion music, or pure genre for that matter, is welcome. The idea is so that everything is based on Classical and moves outward from there. Whether it be costume, music, choreography, stage setting...anything: we must move forward from that core.
LOOKING FOR MALE AND FEMALE DANCERS FROM ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS TO JOIN THE 2010-2011 SEASON. INTERESTED? CONTACT KALAMANDIRDANCECO@GMAIL.COM!