A study of Bharatanatyam is how the brain processes spatial informationAs we move about in space, the brain keeps track of information related to a specific location or geography. Come join me on April 19, 2024 as I talk about how Bharatanatyam may be a way to understand how the brain processes spatial information. In the study of Bharatanatyam is included "Navasandhi" literally "nine directions" - each "sandhi" (direction) is associated with a specific deity, raga (melody), and color. This project is supported by a 2023-24 CUNY Dance Initiative grant. Guidance and inspiration: Vanitha Jayan and Smt. Maheshwari Nagarajan, Nritya Kala Kendra, Ahmedabad
Music: Sri Jayan Nair, Nritya Kala Kendra, Ahmedabad Natuvangam: Manjari Nair Mridangam Manav Nair Flute Rajendran Nair Pushpanjali: Ragam (melody): Nattai Talam (rhythm): Adi
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A study of Bharatanatyam is a study of movementA study of Bharatanatyam is a study how the brain initiates, sustains, terminates, and perceives movement! A thillana, for example, is a combination of subtle movements of the eyes called saccades, to big sweeping movements that cover lateral distance! Saṃbhūya is supported by a 2023-24 CUNY Dance Initiative grant.On April 19, 2024, I a presenting Saṃbhūya: Understanding the Brain through Dance. Saṃbhūya" is a Sanskrit word that means “through joint effort”. Through this project, I will articulate how the sciences and the arts are complementary ways of appreciating the world around us! [Ragam: Behag; Talam: Aadi; Composer and Choreographer: Smt. Maheshwari Nagarajan, Nritya Kala Kendra; Vocals: Jayan Nair; Guidance and inspiration: Vanitha Jayan]. A big thanks to Manjari Krishna and Manav for beautiful music! The study of patterns in Bharatanatyam and neuroscience A point of intersection between the the systematic study of the arts and the sciences is the analysis of patterns. Patterns are all around us, and manifest as regularity in design. Nature is full of patterns, e.g. the orchid flowering in my garden. Dance and science give us an opportunity to appreciate and even generate patterns! In the short video below, movement patterns are strung together as part of a piece called a Jatiswaram. The space is the beautiful (and spacious) theatre at Aaron Davis Hall at The City College. On April 19, 2024, I will present Saṃbhūya: Understanding the Brain through Dance. Saṃbhūya" is a Sanskrit word that means “through joint effort”. Through this project, I will articulate how the sciences and the arts are complementary ways of appreciating the world around us. How do you engage with patterns in your scientific and artistic practice? Piece: Ragamalika Jatiswaram (Ragam Ragamalika, Talam Misrachapu)
Music: Sri. Jayan Nair (Nritya Kala Kendra, Ahmedabad) Choreography inspiration: Smt. Maheshwari Nagarajan and Smt. Vanitha Jayan (Nritya Kala Kendra, Ahmedabad). Saṃbhūya is created with the support of a 2023-24 CUNY Dance Initiative Residency at The City College. Save the date for Saṃbhūya on April 19, 2024:![]() April 19, 2024: Saṃbhūya "Understanding the Brain through Dance: A Bharatanatyam Recital Saṃbhūya" is a Sanskrit word that means “through joint effort”. Through this project, I will articulate how the sciences and the arts are complementary ways of appreciating the world around us. Through aspects of Bharatanatyam, Saṃbhūya will present how the sciences and the arts can provide a united, holistic continuum for human understanding and bring people together. This event is open to all. Saṃbhūya is created with the support of a 2023-24 CUNY Dance Initiative Residency at The City College. This event was covered in the news outlet Harlem World as well. The feeling of wonder as a commonality between the sciences and the arts![]() Continuing the humanistic exploration of science and linking it to artistic disciplines, the feeling of wonder is something that connects these disciplines in many profound ways. At the beginning of my doctoral work, I remember attending a Society for Neuroscience (SfN) conference, and listening to a lecture on how experiences change the brain in a physical way. I went on to study this process of synaptic plasticity in epilepsy, and the feeling of amazement of these physical, observable changes in the brain continued to be a source of inspiration. In Bharatanatyam too, we evoke and portray the sense of wonder or awe through the rasa (emotion) called adbhuta. In my creative aging sessions, we talk about things that have caused wonder, and the responses include witnessing the birth of a child or a grandchild, seeing the ocean or the Grand Canyon for the first time, the realization that red and blue make purple, and even (seemingly) mundane experiences such as waking up each morning! How does the sense of wonder manifest in your scientific and artistic lives?! Another response was "the devoted, tender love of a ferocious animal for its children is awesome. Like a lioness for her cubs.." Is instinct wonderful? |
About SlokaMy name is Sloka. I am a neuroscientist and Bharatanatyam dancer; you can find more about me here. Archives
December 2024
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