students speak

Samhita K- on Performing and training wing at Abhivyakti.

Performing in a group is always challenging. But being a solo performer and having many eyes watching you is an entirely different ball game itself. Apart from being united as a group, we at Abhivyakti are also trained professionally to succeed as individuals in terms of building confidence to face competition, the crowd and are motivated to excel in all fields of art.

By the blessings and the support of my Gurus, Vidushi. Manasi Raghunandan and Vid. S Raghunandan, I performed at BHEL on occasion of Kannada Rajyothsava celebration held on the 3^rd of January 2015. It was a wonderful start to the New Year and was really challenging to offer prayers to lord Jagannath, compere and also perform the Pallavi. Was truly joyous and a beautiful experience, representing Abhivyakti.

The performance was well received by the audience who appreciated the one and only classical dance of the evening.

My dream of giving a solo performance was given life only by the support of my beloved Gurus and my parents to whom I am forever indebted. I express my gratitude to them wholeheartedly.

Looking forward to a lot more from my institution in the days to come.

Samhita K, Jan 2015, Bangalore

2) Sinchana - On opportunities and ambiance at Abhivyakti and more...

This note is regarding the review or my experience in the dance academy ABHIVYAKTI. I have learnt a lot from here other than dance there are amny other things such as it may be the way we need to conduct ourself, ethics, discipine, getting togther with everyone,developing self confidence in speaking in crowd, over come stagefear and many more. ABHIVYAKTI is a center where i have learnt things which supports to fufill my dreams. "Let live your dreams" I understood this quote at Abhivyakti. There is lot more to be told about my experince:

· As I joined Abhivyakti I had the knowledge about Bharathnatyam but Odissi I had zero knowledge. I started my classes with the shubharambh of Odissi which was done by Mansi mam. At the start I felt Odissi uncomfortable and difficult but later I started to enjoy the classes.

· Raghu sir and Mansi mam decide to give me a chance in the program which was done at Nelmangala at this point I was still in the starting level but they both had confidence on me which in turn increased my confidence.

· Later I performed few more programmes in Bharathnatyam which made me very interesting and regular to classes. As we used to go to the performances all used to get to know each other more which would build a family environment in the class.

· There was an Odissi exam where i tok up Level 1 for which Mansi mam took extrta classes and trained as we were beginers in that form of dance.I tried my level best in the exam and so did the resultswer according to my performance.

· Mansi mam and Raghu sir took great efforts to call an expert to conduct our exam which was joyfull and informative.

· From the examinationI learnt where do i stand and how much should I work hard towards it.

· Raghu sir conducted the odissi clases in the absence of Mansi mam which was very useful to have a continuity.

· In the month of October ther was an Odissi workshop conducted by GURU BIJAY DAS . This workshop helped a lot in improving the dance style of Odissi. This session was very much informative and inspiring.

· After this workshop there was a gap for some days which made me lag behind in Odissi. But latr once the classes was started it went on good.

· During this time Mansi mam gave an opportuinty to perform Odissi dance in the ocassion of tribute festival of LATE PADMASHREE GURU GANGADHAR PRADHAN.With performing Mansi mam also gave an opportunity ti host the show. She believed in me and gave this opportunity from which I over came the fear of speaking infront of crowd.

· Apart from program perfprmed the clases were goin on as usual wher I have learnt a lot and I improved my stamina also. This credit goes to Raghu sir who makes time to train us whenever he is free.

· Even though I was new I felt I was in the Abhivyakti famliy from before.everyone made us feel comfortable.

· From all this opporutinty I am leaning alot and I wish that I will begetting opportunity like dis to showcase my talent.

I am very thankful to Mansi mam and Raghu sir who have supported in all ways it may be as an artist or as teacher or as family or as friend. They both have been a great inspiration and a good guide for me. I thank them whole heartedly for all the opportunities and their trust on me. Thank you mam and sir.

ABHIVYAKTI is an esteem center for which I am greatful that i am a part of itwhich not teaches dance but all the other required things.

THANK YOU Mansi mam and Raghu sir for makin m a part of Abhivyakti.

Sinchana K, Bangalore, Jan 2015

3) Vibha NB - Being a part of Abhibvyakti family and more...

I have been a part of Abhivyakthi for about a year now and my journey so far has been phenomenon. Raghu sir and Manasi ma'am have been great mentors to me and their dedication to the art form and their students is unbelievable.

Although, the Odissi teaching is completely different from that of Bhrathnatyam, both the dance lessons provided to the students are well planned and each student is given individual attention. New to the classic dance form or not, they know the right trick to bring out our inner artist. We don't just learn the art, but we learn to enjoy the art. In the end, that is what matters the most.

It is the right place for any aspiring artist, since Manasi ma'am and Raghu sir are both very passionate that it ignites a spark of passion in ourselves. Their support and the little push to move forward for young artists like myself is the type of motivation we really need.

Abhivyakthi has students from all age groups. From a seven-year-old to married, working women. Everyone are very welcoming and we get along well. Being a part of both Odissi and Bharathanatyam training has made my circle of fellow artists comparatively bigger. All of them are hard-working and talented. They play the roles of good friends and guides very well.

The opportunities given to us are immense! Sir and Ma'am want their students to improve as an artist and they do everything in their power to help us. They do not ask for perfection, but self-improvement. Every member of the team is given equal amount of opportunity for their hard-work and dedication.

My first program with Abhivyakthi was in the Vamshi Acadamy, trained under the wing of Raghu Sir. Our hard work really did pay off, because the performance went very well. Though Manasi ma'am was far off in Boroda, we got the equal amount of support from her as much as Raghu Sir.

In the month of November, Abhivyakthi hosted a Odissi workshop for the students to gear up. Sir, Bijay Das, an Odissi exponent from Bhubaneshwar trained the students for 10 days with certain traditional items of Odissi. Everyone benefited from this workshop, especially me. It was the right decision to take up the workshop, because my dancing has comparatively improved ever since.

Later, in the month of December, a tribute to Sri. Guru Gangadhar Pradhan was held, where we were given the opportunity to showcase what we learnt during the workshop and it was my first Odissi performance. It was an amazing experience to work along with the other students and perform the newly learnt form. I would like to thank both my Gurus for such a wonderful opportunity.

Abhivyakthi also hosted a Odissi exams for all the students. We not only worked on particals, but each one of us were given a set of assignments about the background of Odissi. This helped us not only to learn the dance, but also its true origin.

I certainly look forward to learn more from Raghu sir and Manasi ma'am. Abhivyakthi has become home and it feels good be home.

Sonia K, Bangalore Jan 2015

5) Sreya Riddhi Ban - On her experiences at Abhivyakti;

Rohini - on learning at Abhivyakti

Abhivyakti is wonderful place who really have passion for dance. My first time in Abhivyakti was nervous since i felt its too late too learn Bharatnatyam ,but Manasi ma'am gave me that boost saying its never too late to learn something.

Environment here is friendly and energetic , at the same time its disciplined & very dedicated institute. I always wait for weekends just to learn dance here. The best part of Abhivyakti is ,it gives a lots of opportunities for students to perform on various stages.

About Raghunandan sir,he is very passionate about dance and always believes in hard work. He is always there to motivate the students and push us a step ahead.

I feel great to be his student.

Rohini - Jan 2015, Bangalore