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Independent Scholars' Evenings
2002 Events
Annual International Dinner
Commencing the 7th Year for The Independent Scholars’ Evenings“LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI – THE NEW MILLENNIUM”
initial reading from The Institute’s manuscripts.
and
A SOLO PERFORMANCE Of KATHAK:
CLASSICAL DANCE FROM NORTH INDIA
By PRASHANT SHAH
Guest performer, visiting Chicago from Europe and Asia.
September 19th. 2002
"The Virtues of Intolerance." Dr. David Hill, professor of philosophy, Augustana. Rock Island. Illinois.7.00 p.m. The Moline Club.
September 12th, 2002
6:00pm Cocktails and Hors d’Oeuvres6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Presentation
at
The Moline Club
513 16th Street
Moline, Illinois, 61265
RSVP (309) 762-8547
Dinner and performance is $ 35.00 Per person
The performance only is $15.00 per person
Attendance at dinner is not necessary for attendance of the presentation.
The Independent Scholars’ Evenings
1530 5th AvenueMoline, Illinois, 61265 www.qcinstitute.org
Prashant Shah:
Born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India Prashant Shah has trained in the Classical Kathak dance for the past 20 years under the guidance of the famous Kathak dancer – Choreographer Smt. Kumudini Lakhia. He has given a number of performances in the major cities in U.S.A.; U.S.S.R.; China, U.K., Netherlands, Brasil, France, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, Morocco and India.
Prashant brings to his dance a sense of precision as well as dynamism through his immense strength. His style is are combination of aesthetics as also virtuosity.
Prashant has worked with the Sitar maestro Pt. Ravi Shankar in his dance ballet “Ghanashyam” which toured India extensively in 1990. Additionally, Prashant has worked with the famous Kathak Guru Shri Birju Maharaj. His association with his Guru Smt. Kumudini Lakhia.......
“Between birth and death, life moves on, but it is the teacher (Guru) who moulds this world, making it a better place to live in…….”
After spending over five decades in the Kathak dance world, the renowned Kathak exponent and choreographer Smt. Kumudini Lakhia has successfully introduced and implemented a new direction in the Kathak dance form deepening the texture of Kathak. The freshness of her work stems from the exploration of vertical and horizontal lines with an emphasis on body contours and dynamic formations. She has exposed the flexibility and versatility of Kathak. In addition, her subtle and meticulous taste for costumes and lighting has invigorated the face of Kathak. She used the Kathak vocabulary within which she had found all that she needed to “tell the story of today, whicle not forsaking the old soul”. It was a constant exploration of body language, which had to be relevant ‘sociologically, aesthetically and economically.’
I have been really fortunate and blessed to be her disciple for the last 20 years. She has not only imparted to me her knowledge and discipline of Kathak technique but has also opened my mind to explore beyond technique, which makes the dance an artistic and aesthetic experience for both the dancer and the audience.
Brief History of Kathak Nritya (dance):
Kathak is one of the leading forms of Indian classical dance. This ancient art of India derived it’s name “Kathak” from “Katha”, the art of storytelling. The Kathak dancers were excellent narrators and storytellers, and they interpreted incidence from the great epics with gestures and music. Through an aesthetically exquisite and continuously evolving style, these storytellers of the past combined dance and music and became the protagonists of the modern Kathak dance.
Like many aspects of the cultural life of northern India, Kathak developed through various phases of Indian social, religious and political history, thus reflecting their diverse impact. During the Hindu period, this performing art of north India was nurtured in temples for the glory of God. The dancers were mainly Brahmins and were held in high esteem. Kathak dance suffused mainly with Vaishnava philosophy and the Radha-Krishna theme, passed through a period of renaissance and for some time became a powerful vehicle of entertainment for the Mogul courts. As a result of fusion of Indo-Mogul culture, Kathak emerged into a new form of dance. Though the basic graces of the old form were retained, a new format and a new idiom inevitably came to be added. The Moguls brought their Persian art introducing the geometrical patterns and designs music and dancing with special emphasis on footwork and intricate rhythmic patterns. During this period, however, Kathak became a favorite royal past time. and a source of entertainment for rich and aristocrats, thus falling into disrepute, particularly for women.
The British showed little interest in Indian dance and music. Kathak was no exception. Maharaj Bindadin, the greatest of Kathak gurus, provided the much needed integration of Hindu and Mogul influences in this dance form, and Kathak became a truly representative classical dance form. The post-independence or modern Kathak is a mixture of both the temple dance and the court dance. Kathak has north Indian classical music as its cultural counterpart. The rhythmic patterns and several other common areas for these two art forms have reinforced each other.
There are three main ‘houses’ traditionally called “Gharanas” in Kathak - Jaipur Gharana, Lucknow Gharana, and Benaras Gharana, each having its own characteristics and peculiarities. Kathak today has regained its old glory, its rightful place amongst the classical arts of India and has inspired a number of artist. Kathak has contributed to the modern cultural renaissance in India, and deservingly is one of the most popular classical performing art forms in India.
September 26th
“String Quartet #1” Joanie Johnson.1st. 2 movements of her original composition.
Joanie Johnson teaches upper strings and string method at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa and is part of the orchestra of the Quad City Symphony.
October 3rd
“Grassroots movements” Vince ThomasVince Thomas has retired as Director of Project Now and has started.
“Grassroots” an organization involved with grassroots movements.
October 10th
“The Virtues of Intolerance.” David Hill – repeat presentation by request.David Hill is professor of Philosophy at Augustana and specializes on the History of Science. He will be reading his original essay.
October 17th
"A reading from current as-yet-unpublished works and commentary on pop culture and media.'' Sean Leary.October 24th
“His Poetry” Dale HaakeRecitations from his original poetry.
Dale Haake is an attorney with the firm of Katz, Huntoon and Feiweger specializing in immigration law and bankruptcy. He received a national award.
November 14th
“Altered States of Consciousness in Early Christianity.” Ritva WilliamsRitva Williams is a professor in Religion at Augustana and will be reading from her work on a chapter on ‘Prophets’ from a book-proposal titled “ Stewards, Prophets and Keepers of the Word.”
October 31st
no event……….Holiday………….Our 7th. year… 2002 – 2003
The Independent Scholars’ EveningsA non-profit free-standing public forum.
We continue… as before….on second floor of The Moline Club building. 513 16th. Street, Downtown Moline, every Thursday evening at 7. 00 p.m. during the scholastic year.
Our Fall semester continues till the 1st. week of December, 2002. Until then, the forum is open every Thursday, at 7.00. Presentations will be posted on the building window on 1530 5th. Ave. downtown Moline address and on our web site: www.qcinstitute.org.
Independent scholars face serious challenges and you can, as interested co-learners, assist by offering your responses and suggestions and by helping create a supportive atmosphere.
Your presence makes the difference…….
A rundown of highlighted work achieved so far:
Kathleen Lawless Cox finished her book “Maeve” and has successfully circulated it in the community. Her essay “ God-Bothering” has sparked original essays in response by David Hill and Roald Tweet. Her ideas expressed in “Artists inspiring Artists” have been read in the community.
David Hill has finished his book “The Sword of the Nazarene” and has sent it for publication. His “Logos” program teaching the history of science to undergraduates is still being continued at Augustana. He has begun the second book which is now under way. His essay: “The Virtues of Intolerance” is ready for presentation.
Joan Johnson is composing a quartet : “String Quartet # 1” part of which will be presented during the fall session and again later on in the year. Tom Moran essays “Am a Text?” and “Lifelong learning for the authentic and healthy life” have been circulated.
Ritva Williams “A Spirit That is Holy”-excerpts from a chapter was completed and submitted for the book “Handbook of Social Sciences in Early Christianity”. Independent scholars face serious challenges. Please congratulate them on their success and on their achieving their accomplishment.
Due to the expenses of running The Institute, we will not be able to send mailings every month as before and will try and send them out as frequently as possible.
Just note that the “Evenings” are held every Thursday even when no program title is pre-announced. We keep a schedule that is somewhat flexible. This is to accommodate the impromptu work of the Independent Scholars. A supportive core group will be regularly present. A presentation event will be provided. Please keep checking our website.
You may call 309-762-9202 for further information or email us at institute@qconline.com.
Thanks to you …and all…..for your support in creating the atmosphere for creativity Enjoy the new Institute year.
From the Core Group.
2002 Spring Session
March 7th
Dick Stahl. Poet Laureate of the Quad Cities will read his current poetry and writings.March 14th
Jamal Tayh : “All You Wanted To Know About Islam But Were Afraid To Ask.”March 21st
“God-Bothering” original essay by David Hill. Inspired by the essay written by Kathleen Lawless Cox.April 4th
Poet : at the Bettendorf Public Library.April 11th
Free Form. Open evening.April 18th
Free Form. Open evening.April 25th
“Tolkein” the man and the author of “The Lord of the Rings”Dr. Lars Scott, Augustana Dept. of Scandinavian Studies. Essay and discussion.
