Ambalam Centre for Performing Arts ( R ) - ACPA
1A.Mangala Murthi, New 65, Old 24, First Main Road,
Shastrinagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020.
India Tel: +91-44-2446 1690 / 2446 4324.
Email:acpa.admin@gmail.com
Ambalam, Centre for Performing Arts - ACPA, formerly, the Naadaanta Academy of Dance and Music (R) is a registered Trust set up in 1989 by T.V. Ramprasadh and Indira Kadambi. In Malayalam, Ambalam means “Temple” and in Tamil, it means “Stage for performing arts” ACPA conducts intensive training in Bharatanatyam, Carnatic vocal music, Mridangam and Yoga for both beginners and advanced students.
ACPA offers following programmes
Regular training sessions through out the year, both for beginners and advanced.
Short term courses are also conducted for students from abroad and India. The duration of the short term course is generally 10 days and above.
Advanced training program is of an intensive nature and requires the trainee to show total dedication, motivation and hard work.
Online training in music (vocal and mridangam) through Cyber Shikshanam. This has benefited students in different parts of the world.
ACPA offers performances, workshops, lecture demonstrations and cultural exchange programs in India and other countries. Workshops in Bharatanatayam (Abhinaya, Nritta & Nattuvangam, Choreography), Classical vocal , Devotional music, Yoga and Mridangam.
For further details, contact acpa.admin@gmail.com
BHARATANATYAM - One of the oldest of the classical Indian dance forms originating in Tamilnadu, Bharatanatyam is also known as the fifth Veda. Bharatanatyam is usually accompanied by the Carnatic classical music. It has its inspirations from the sculptures of the ancient temples. Dance of mind & soul. It is extremely traditional and known for its grace, purity, tenderness, statuesque & sculpturesque poses. It uplifts the dancer and the beholder to a higher level of spiritual consciousness. The dancer is considered as a worshiper, worshiper of the Divine, an embodiment of beauty, charm and gracefulness.
The general interpretation for the name is BHAva(expression) + RAga (music) + TAla(rhythm) + NATYAM(dance) = Bharatanatyam. Students are generally advised to choose to learn Carnatic music and Yoga along with Bharatanatyam as they go together.
CARNAATIC VOCAL - Carnaatic music, referred to as Karnaataka Sangeetha in ancient scriptures, is not merely one of the world's most popular classical systems, it is one of the oldest systems of music in the world. Most scholars agree with the fact that the Vedhas were compiled between the period 4000 BC and 1000 BC. Saama Vedha the third of the Vedhas is believed to have laid the foundation for Indian classical music. The classification of Indian music into Carnaatic and Hindhusthaani music was first seen in the work Sangeetha Sudhaakara of Haripala Deva (1309 - 1312) where he acknowledges that with the Muslim invasions of North India in the 13th Century the music there got Persianised and he called it the Hindhusthaani Music and the music of the south,Karnaataka music, meaning traditional and old music.
There are a lot of differences in the two forms of the classical traditions of India, namely the Carnaatic and the Hindhusthaani. Differences exist in the classification of the Raagaa system and the Thaala system, the Carnaatic system having a much more evolved system and a much larger selection of Raagas and Thaalas. Again the importance given to compositions is very high in Carnaatic Music as compared to Hindusthaani music which uses some couplets just as a medium for expression. The composition in Carnaatic music are mostly spiritual in nature from a wide selection of seven Indian languages.
In Carnaatic Music there is a good balance between science and art ; creativity and re-creativity. It is melody based.
YOGA - Yoga as a world view combines both the philosophical and mundane. At a deeper level, it allows us to see the aesthetic in all aspects of life. To notice the melody and rhythms of life through dance and music requires a mind that is quiet and receptive. It requires a body that is flexible and alive. It also requires the coming together of the body, mind – emotion and thinking. This joining of all the aspects is yoga. Thus, yoga is a preparation as well as a goal for dance and music. It is a saadhya as well as siddhi.
MRIDANGAM - Mridangam is a double sided drum made of jack wood. It is rightly called the King of Percussion. The word "mridangam" is derived from the two Sanskrit words "Mrid" (clay or earth) and "Ang," (body). Early mridangams were indeed made of hardened clay. Over the years, the mridangam evolved to be made of different kinds of wood due to its increased durability, and today, its body is constructed from wood of the jackfruit tree. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Carnatic music ensemble. The system of talas (or taalams) in South Indian Carnatic music may be the most complex percussive rhythm system of any form of classical music.
The Faculty
Carnatic Vocal and Devotional music: T.V. Ramprasadh
Bharatanatyam: Indira Kadambi
Mridangam: Melakkaveri Balaji (senior performer and teacher of Mridangam)
Yoga: Shilpa Pandit (disciple of Guru Pattabhiram, who is the direct disciple of Swami Rama of the Himalayas)
Past works of ACPA
The Centre has organized workshops and lecture demonstrations by eminent artists in the field of dance and music.
The Centre has conducted festivals of music and dance "Parampara" featuring eminent artists and ‘Arohana‘ for upcoming artists.
Quotes on their teaching capabilities
Indira Kadambi What Students Say ?
....She offered an intensive dance camp for the senior students of Natyaanandha, deepening the skills and appreciation..... an accomplished and exacting teacher..... an excellent choreographer and singer............
Your grace strength and rhythm , coupled with your clear explanations inspired all members of the audience. We felt quite privileged to be able to observe the beautiful interaction between you and student, ..the mutual respect and admiration exchanged in your glances is unforgettable.
Indira Kadambi’s village students at Nrityagram, Bangalore where she taught What is really special about her commitment is that she has trained the children of the villages, surrounding Nrityagram..
Created a serene and uplifting mood.. clean lines and perfect footwork.. in complete control over the intricacies of Abhinaya. danced with confidence and composure.. marked with true devotional touch.
T.V.Ramprasadh
You handled the delicate balance between scholarship and performance in an exceptionally effective manner. Your remarks were well organized and your facility at demonstrating your points with live performance was especially effective.
Ramprasadh belongs to the new legion of musicians who are experts not only at demonstrating their art but also experts in analyzing the science of music.