The Celestial Dancers: Manipuri Dance on Australian Stage charts the momentous journey of the popularization of Manipur’s Hindu dances in Australia. Tradition has it that the people of Manipur, a northeastern state of India, are descended from the celestial gandharvas, dance and music blessed among them as a God’s gift. The intricately symbolic Hindu dances of Manipur in their original religious forms were virtually unseen and unknown outside India until an Australian impresario, Louise Lightfoot, brought them to the stage in the 1950s. Her experimental changes through a pioneering collaboration with dancers Rajkumar Priyagopal Singh and Ibetombi Devi modernized Manipuri dance for presentation on a global stage. This partnership moved Manipur’s Hindu dances from the sphere of ritualistic temple practice to a formalized stage art abroad. Amit Sarwal chronicles how this movement, as in the case of other prominent Indian classical dances and dancers, enabled both Manipuri dance and dancers to gain recognition worldwide. This book is ideal for anyone with an interest in Hindu temple dance, Manipur dance, cross-cultural collaborations and the globalizing of Indian Classical Dance. The Celestial Dancers is a comprehensive study of how an exceptional Hindu dance form developed on the global stage.

A distinguished dance critic offers an enchanting introduction to the art of ballet As much as we may enjoy Swan Lake or The Nutcracker, for many of us ballet is a foreign language. It communicates through movement, not words, and its history lies almost entirely abroad -- in Russia, Italy, and France. In Celestial Bodies, dance critic Laura Jacobs makes the foreign familiar, providing a lively, poetic, and uniquely accessible introduction to the world of classical dance. Combining history, interviews with dancers, technical definitions, descriptions of performances, and personal stories, Jacobs offers an intimate and passionate guide to watching ballet and understanding the central elements of choreography. Beautifully written and elegantly illustrated with original drawings, Celestial Bodies is essential reading for all lovers of this magnificent art form.

This collection of essays poses a series of questions revolving around nonsense, cacophony, queerness, race, and the dancing body. How can flamenco, as a diasporic complex of performance and communities of practice frictionally and critically bound to the complexities of Spanish history, illuminate theories of race and identity in performance? How can we posit, and argue for, genealogical relationships within and between genres across the vast expanses of the African—and Roma—diaspora? Neither are the essays presented here limited to flamenco, nor, consequently, are the responses to these questions reduced to this topic. What all the contributions here do share is the wish to come together, across disciplines and subject areas, within the academy and without, in the whirling, raucous, and messy spaces where the body is free—to celebrate its questioning, as well as the depths of the wisdom and knowledge it holds and sometimes reveals.

Enter the enchanting world of Starry Wishes and Moonlit Dreams, an engaging children's book that takes young readers on a magical journey through the wonders of the night. Join our young dream weavers as they explore mystical meadows, dance with fireflies, and embark on moonlit adventures. Each chapter unfolds a new realm of the imagination, weaving together the magic of bedtime and the beauty of the natural world. This whimsical picture book, filled with vibrant illustrations, sparks the imagination of children aged 3 to 8, offering a delightful mix of fantasy and bedtime comfort. From the bright constellations to the soft whispers of the night, "Starry Dreams and Moonlit Dreams" promises to become a cherished part of any bedtime routine. Discover the joy of celestial ballets, cosmic pirouettes and the promise of dreams that linger beneath the moonlit sky. This heartwarming story is perfect for parents and caregivers looking for a magical and imaginative bedtime experience. Let the moonlight guide you into a world where dreams come alive and the night promises endless adventures. Embrace the warmth of "Good Morning Sun" as a joyful end to the night, ushering in a new day full of endless possibilities. With themes of imagination, nature and the beauty of dreams, this book is an ideal addition to children's literature that will be cherished for years to come.

This book explores the synergy between yoga and dance, enhancing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It shows how yoga improves dancers' strength, flexibility, and focus, while dance adds creativity and fluidity to yoga. The spiritual essence of Odissi dance and the therapeutic benefits of both disciplines are also examined. Readers will discover how these practices promote a balanced, fulfilling life.

In the transcendent odyssey, "Soul's Symphony: Unveiling the Mysteries of Existence," Aria, guided by the Luminary Spirit, embarks on a celestial exploration that harmonizes the cosmic threads of existence. The narrative unfolds as Aria delves into the mystical revelations, uncovering the interconnected tapestry of celestial threads that compose the ethereal symphony of cosmic harmony. Throughout this soulful journey, Aria reflects on the existential mysteries, recognizing the transformative power of spiritual odyssey and the profound nature of her own existential reflection. The Luminary Spirit serves as a guide, helping her navigate the celestial landscapes and understand the cosmic dance that unfolds within the pages of her mystical narrative. The odyssey becomes a metaphor for the universal human experience—the recognition that, within the cosmic tapestry, Soul's Symphony holds the keys to unveiling the deeper mysteries of existence.

Nataraja, the dancing Siva sculpture, is perhaps the most well-known among all Hindu sculptures, and rightly so. It has evoked highly advanced discussions among scientists, philosophers, performing artists, art critics, art collectors, historians, archaeologists and mythologists. The Nataraja sculpture also occupies a pride of a place at CERN, the European Centre for Research in Particle Physics in Geneva. Siva, according to Hindu Mythology, was the very first dancer in the world. All dramaturgy and dance traditions emerge from Siva’s cosmic dance. Tandu, Siva’s disciple narrated the description of Siva’s dance to Bharata Muni and he is believed to have compiled the Natyasastra, the world’s first treatise on dramaturgy, dance and other performing arts. Scholars believe that the Natyasastra was written over a long period of time between the 2nd century BCE and 2nd century CE with contributions from various sages, with its foundation having been laid by Bharata Muni. Convergence between Hindu mythology, Natyasastra and Silpasastra was the natural outcome. Karnataka, and its temple architecture tradition, played a pioneering role in giving an artistic form to this convergence in its temple sculptures. Though this trend may have started earlier during 2nd and 3rd century CE, it started to take the center stage from the times of the Badami Chalukyas. Passing through various refinements between 5th and 10th centuries, it reached its peak with the Hoysala art. This book traces the history of temple sculpture evolution and development through the centuries by referring to the existing sculptural forms and the canonical literature that developed over time.