Introducing
SATTVA
the essence
Sattva, the essence, is a series of presentations led by ONNOI that features performances and educational demonstrations to highlight the bridge between collaborative fusion and traditional art.
Next episode:
January 8th, 2022
9:30 am CST (USA)
9 pm IST (INDIA)
EPISODE 1
A presentation featuring artists Kalpana Subbarao and Edith Niño of Ritmo Zindagi. Join us on our Youtube Channel as they discuss a fresh approach to an ancient, ongoing conversation between two distant cousins: Kathak and Flamenco.
Kathak, which originated in the Northwest region of India, is based on the art of storytelling. Through song, dance, musical, and percussive accompaniment it depicts stories central to Indian culture. Flamenco, which originated in the South of Spain (Andalucía), is the conversation between song, guitar, dance, and percussion. The folklore of India, located in the Asian continent, generated musical traditions that were exported by transient people to the countries of Europe and the Middle East. Traits in the language, vocal styles, and rhythmic patterns in Andalucía, Spain can be traced to the Punjab region in India.
Historically, as both forms spring from the same roots, there are both commonalities and differences in Kathak and Flamenco. As an example, the TeenTaal and Ek-Taal in Kathak correspond beautifully to Tangos and Bulerías in Flamenco.
Rhythm is life and a constant force of nature. As we partake in daily life, we join the synergy of the symphony of rhythms around us. Through our voices, instruments, and bodies we express rhythmic sounds that become expressions, words, sentences, language, song, and movement. We want to move our audiences with rhythmic combinations that awaken the senses and move the soul. Current times have masked our faces, but not our rhythmic connections and love for art. More than ever, we need to connect and enjoy our similarities as well as celebrate our differences. What better vehicle for finding common ground and joy than through the universal language of music and rhythm and a collaboration between Kathak and Flamenco?
We seek to bridge across the communities with our art forms that have so much in common while being unique to their own history and perspectives.
MEET THE ARTISTS
KALPANA SUBBARAO is an artist with over 20 years experience in Indian classical dance forms, Kathak and Bharatanatyam. As a 2018-2019 Artist in Residence for Dance Source Houston, she produced a collaborative show on Kathak-Flamenco with 7 other artists from Houston. In 2021, she extended this work with an original new piece titled Ritmo Zindagi that premiered at the Miller Outdoor Theater. She has been a solo artist at the Barnstorm Dance Festival. She is a certified Teaching Artist through Young Audiences of Houston/University of Houston. She studied Bharatanatyam in a traditional setting in India. A recipient of a 3-year scholarship from the Sangeet Nritya Academy, she holds the 1st rank in the Senior and Vidwat (Proficiency) exams. Currently, she practices Kathak and is a disciple of Pandit Sontosh Kumar Chatterjee for the past 9 years. She is a student of rhythm with Pandit Divyang Vakil for the past 2 years. In 2021, she completed a 15-day workshop on Navarasa Sadhana, a system of acting methodology for dancers, conducted by Guru G. Venu. She has performed in USA, India and Malaysia. She conceptualized, co-created, co-choreographed and directed an evening-length production of Kathak-Flamenco, A Celebration of Cultures. As a choreographer, she showcased her work, Beloved, at the Mind The Gap show in 2017. She was the lead choreographer for Kathak in Silambam Houston Dance Company’s production, Kāvya: Poetry in Motion staged at Miller Outdoor Theater (2018) and MATCH (2017) in Houston. Kalpana teaches Kathak for Silambam Houston at their Pearland location. She has a Master’s degree in Computer Science from University of Houston and has previously worked as an engineer.
EDITH NIÑO began her artistic training at Voces Blancas de Elisa Soteldo, Academia de Ballet Fanny Montiel and at the Conservatorio de Música under the direction of María Dolores García in Caracas, Venezuela. While studying ballet at the English Montessori School while residing in Madrid, she was exposed to flamenco arts and culture. She graduated from the Conservatorio de Música and joined La Coral de U.E. Universidad Simón Bolivar. She continued her flamenco training at the University of Houston with Antonia Perlacia and performed with Aires Flamenco and Soleá Dance. She also trained in Master Workshops and private lessons with flamenco figures such as Maestro Timo Lozano, Solangel Lali Calix, Concha Jareño, Fanny Ara, María Juncal and others. She performs and choreographs in collaborative works and productions.
IRMA LA PALOMA delivers cante with sincerity and passion. Born of Spanish descent in Havana, Cuba, she began her flamenco training wiht Spain’s Olga Bustamante at Concepción Arenal and with Maria Asela Bermúdez at Escuela de Baile Monterroso y Antas e Ulla. She performed flamenco and Spanish regional dances in Havana’s Centtro Gallego and Teatro Garcia Lorca. Her family later established residence in Madrid, where she was further embraced by her heritage. Her love of poetry and lyrics led her to concentrated study of cante and dance accompaniment. Irma has trained, performed and enjoyed collaborating with renouwned artists in the disciplines of flamenco. In 2017, she performed selections from Manuel de Falla’s “El Amor Brujo” with the Helena Symphony Orchestra in Montana. She also composed and recorded vocals in Cafe Khytaro’s “Distrancia.” Her original work, “El Corazón Manda” was recorded and performed in Kathak
JEREMÍAS GARCÍA is a classically trained guitarist and composer who has made a successful transition to flamenco. Originally self-taught, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Guitar Performance at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi under the mentorship of Phili Hii and a Master’s Degree from Southern Methodist University-Dallas wehre he studied with Robert Guthrie. He toured the US and released two albums of original works, García y Reyna’s “Baile del Sol” and Cafe Khytaro’s “Distancia.” He received flamenco guitar instruction from Master Guitarist Juan Serrano and other prominent “tocaores.” He has accompanied renowned flamenco artists. In 2017 he composed “Suite Andaluz” for orchestra and flamenco which debuted in Montana under the conductoship of Allan R. Scott, performed byt he Helena Symphony and Solero Flamenco. He teaches private lessons and guitar workshops while keeping a busy performance schedule as soloist and with Solero Flamenco.
SHYAMA MISHRA, a high school teacher by profession, is also a versatile singer covering genres ranging from Rabindrasangeet (songs of Tagore) and Indian classical to Western. Shyama has been formally training in Hindustani classical, and Rabindra Sangeet since she was 4 and is a graduate in both courses. She has released 2 albums since 2014, both on songs of Tagore. Besides her degrees in music Shyama has masters degrees in English and in Communication and teaches 11th grade English in Katy ISD.
JASON ZINN is a disciple of Pandit Shantilal Shah, and has been playing the Tabla since 2007. As a student of Hindustani Classical Music, he learned in the traditional Guru Shishya Parampara, living directly with his Guru for 9 years. Jason regularly performs as an accompanist for Kathak dance, vocal, and instrumental concerts throughout Texas. Most notably, he performed in the play Bhopal in 2014, and has performed with the Sangeet Millennium Ensemble in Dallas, TX.
ABHISHEK BALAKRISHNAN is a Carnatic (South Indian classical) violinist under the guidance of violin-vocal virtuoso Delhi Sri P. Sunder Rajan. Abhishek regularly performs around the USA and India as a violin accompanist and soloist. He has received the Lalgudi Jayaraman Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, India and has recently performed in Cambridge University, England. Abhishek had his initial training under various gurus including Sri Vittal Ramamurthy and Smt. Rajarajeshwary Bhat as well as Sri Mahesh K. Iyer and Kalaimamani Smt. Usha Rajagopalan. He currently lives in Houston, TX, and is involved in performing, organizing, and teaching music.
SANGEETA MONDAL completed master degree in music (Rabindra Sangeet), from the renowned institute of Rabindra Sangeet, VISVA-BHARATI, Santiniketan. She was trained in both classical and Rabindra sangeet in Sangeet Bhavana (School of Music) at Santiniketan (Year 2007-2011). She took lessons from artists including Dilip Das (classical) and Dr. Swastika Mukhopadhyay (Rabindra Sangeet). In 2011, She received a Scholarship in Light Classical Music from Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi. Currently she is under the tutelage of noted Rabindra Sangeet exponent and Guru Shreya Guhathakurta.
ANDRÉS FÉLIX was tuned to flamenco music at an early age. He enjoys playing flamenco guitar and cajón. Andrés received guitar instruction from Jeremy García and in workshops at the Festival Flamenco de Albuquerque. He also received instruction from the late Maestro Timo Lozano and enjoyed the Houston Spanish and Flamenco Festival workshops with the Enrique el Peru and Chris Howard. Andrés is a natural musician and accompanist.