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The Living Tree. Meet some of the key participants in CCA's forthcoming production... Music Director: V.S.Narasimhan A very well known Western classical musician in Chennai and is also trained in Indian classical music, both south and north Indian. He is part of a string quartet and is their lead violinist. He has, for several years worked with music directors Ilayaraja and A.R.Rehman. He is a much sought after recording artist. He is a very sensitive musician who also understands how to compose for and work with a large orchestra. He clearly understands the music that is required to make this production especially entertaining and exciting.

G. Narendra A captivating dancer, he began his classical dance training in Karnataka and then joined Kalakshetra, where he completed his advanced training. A powerful, yet wonderfully graceful and sensitive dancer, he has performed key roles in several of Kalakshetra's products including the Festival of India in Germany. He joined the faculty of Bharata Kalanjali and has had leading roles in many of their productions. He was critically acclaimed for his dramatic portrayal of Shiva in CCA's lyrical ballet, Jaya Jaya Devi. He played the role of Sher Khan in the multi-cultural production, Jungle Book. He performed with Leela Samson in her production Spanda, in India and Russia. He assisted Jothi Raghavan in choreographing her multimedia production, Kanya. He choreographed several passages for the CCA production, Abhyaasa. He also continues to conduct the annual CCA summer dance workshop in Cleveland.

Mahalakshmi Mahalakshmi hails from a family steeped in dance; daughter of the Kameswarans, well respected BharataNatyam gurus. Her early training was under Guru Vazhuvoor Ramiah Pillai. She underwent advanced training in BharataNatyam at Kalakshetra. She has toured both in India and abroad with Kalakshetra, performing in several of their ballets, and with Bharata Kalanjali. Among her notable performances are her expressive portrayals as Manthra in Sita Rama Katha and as Uma in Jaya Jaya Devi. She also performed in CCA's Jungle Book and Abhyaasa and in Leela Samson's production, Spanda. She is a beautifully elegant dancer with a flair for expressive dance.

C. A. Joy C. A. Joy, trained at Kalakshetra, is a gifted actor and dancer. He has played lead roles in Kalakshetra ballets. He has also performed with reputed choreographers like the Dhananjayans, Leela Samson and Lakshmi Vishvanathan. He played the role of Mowgli in the national tour of the Jungle Book and performed in Abhyaasa. Joy is a graduate in English Literature and holds a Diploma in Computer Science. He has also trained in Christian theology. He has undergone intensive training in Fashion Design and has worked for the AVM Studios in Chennai.

M.S. Hariharan Initiated into BharataNatyam at a very young age by Shrimati Kalamandalam, Chandrika, Hariharan obtained a merit scholarship that enabled him to graduate from Kalakshetra. He underwent intensive training under the expert guidance of the Dhananjayans where he also gained experience as a teacher. He has learnt the basics of Kathakali from Kalamandalam Krishnakumar. Recognised early by the Tamilnadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram in 1992-93 he had his debut at verious prestigious cultural organisations and has participated in major dance productions such as the "Jungle Book" under Dhananjayans apart from other productions of Bharatha Kalanjali. Hariharan has also been leading his own troupe ABINAYA at various places in south India.

Thiruchelvam Thiruchelvam holds a diploma in dance and has trained at Kalakshetra. A professional dancer for many years Thiruchelvam has toured with different dance productions in the U.S. and other countries. He toured with the "Lakshmi Prabhavam" ballet in N.America and won appreciation for his athletic dancing in the role of Kakasura, the bird. Thiruchelvam is also trained in folk and martial styles of dance and is a popular guest artist with various dance companies.

Krishnakshi Sharma Hailing from Assam, Krishnakshi has learned BharataNatyam at Kalakshetra. She also studied Manipuri dance and Kathak at the Bhatkande University, Lucknow. She is continuing her advanced training in BharataNatyam under the Dhananjayans. She has performed in several of their productions including "Mahabharatam" which toured the United States in 1999.

Deepa Narayanan A disciple of the Dhananjayans, Deepa has been a regular performer at Bharata Kalanajali, the Dhananjayans school of dance. In addition to being a part of their home productions, Deepa has performed with other distinguished choreographers. In 1991, she had the privilege of participating in Chakra, an Indo US cultural exchange programme. She has also performed for the International Dance Alliance, Chennai Doordarshan Kendra and the Navarathri Festival at the Mariamman Temple in Bangkok. Deepa is a committed dancer and active member of the Dhananjayans' Bharata Kalanjali.

Anusha Natarajan Starting at the tender age of four, Anusha had her initial training under Smt. Rajalakshmi Vekateswar and Sri. Khagenranath Barman at Calcutta. She had her Arangetram at eight years, and is currently under the tutelage of the Dhananjayans. Anusha has performed for several prestigious organisations and has won acclaim not only in India but Singapore, Switzerland and Bangkok as well.

T.B. Unnikrishnan Unnikrishnan had his initial training in BharataNatyam under the tutelage of Guru. Smt. Kalamandalam Kshemavathy, and had his Arangetram when he was just 13. He graduated from Kalakshetra, and has also studied other forms of classical Indian dance. He has performed in Germany and various states in India. Currently, he is performing under the expert guidance of the Dhananjayan's.

K.P.Karvarnan Karvarnan had his initial training in BharataNatyam under the tutelage of Guru. Vinayachandran before his formal training at Kalakshetra. He had his Arangetram at 14 years. He has performed under the eminent dancers such as Dhananjayans, Dr.Vijayanthimala Bali, Ms.Anita Ratnam, Ms.Lakshmi Vishwanathan, besides participating in art festivals and performances in India and abroad.

M.Suhasini Initiated into BharataNatyam at a very young age, Suhasini is an alumini of Kalakshetra. She has participated in dance drama productions like Choodamani Pradanam, Kannappar, Keeravanji, Kurmavatharam and folk dances of India through Kalakshetra. She was one of the members of the cultural troupe Aradana sent by the South Zone culture, Chennai to Reunion and Mauritius Islands. She is presently under the tutelage of Prof.C.V Chandrasekar and Mrs. Nirmala Natarajan.

Roopa Vishwanathan Initiated into BharatNatyam at the age of nine she had her initial training at Kalakshetra. She was trained under the tutelage of Prof. Krishnaveni privately and is currently learning under the dancer couple, M.S.Hariharan and Smt. Prameela Hariharan - disciples of the Dhananjayans. She participated in IDA '97 and IDA '98 and in the picturisation of the A.R. Rehman's song "Vande Mataram". She has performed for the International Dance Alliance,Chennai, and with Jothi Raghavan in the US. in her multi media production, Kanya. Most recently, she toured Sri Lanka in Lakshmi Viswanathan's productions, Banyan Tree and Yatra.

Lavanya Lavanya assets a dancing experience of 17 years with a few years under the expert guidance of the Dhananjayans. She has performed in troupes such as the Trio Sisters and Mahalakshmi Natyalaya wherein she has choreographed a dance drama "Pancha Nayika". She has also performed in "Ramanatakam" with her Guru Shri. Dhananjayan. Her experience includes touring Bahrain with Bharatha Kalanjali. She has performed before the President of India as well as the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.

Watch for dates and places of Living Tree's spring 2001 tour. CCA plans an exciting dance festival / conference in September 2001. Watch for details.

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