The Nritarutya Dance Collective
Nritarutya: (Nritya – dance, taru – tree) semantically refers to a dancing tree.The Nritarutya Dance Trust is a self funded Indian Contemporary dance company based in Bangalore, India.In a span of 9 years, since it was founded in 2000, the group has been touring worldwide, primarily with artistic director Mayuri Upadhya, driven by associate directors – Sathyanarayan B.G, Madhuri Upadhya, Geetha Ballal and Umesh.B Naidu. It is empanelled with the ICCR - Indian Council for Cultural Relations. It describes itself as "A group of young dancers from diverse backgrounds of dance and martial arts on a journey together, exploring new avenues while staying rooted in the traditional."
Their performances have long been characterized by a strong thematic element, with an Indian essence. Their company artists are trained in movement disciplines like Indian classical dance, martial arts, yoga, folk dance, cinematic dance, modern dance and acrobatics.
Nritarutya has presented its work at several international venues and participated in festivals like the Golden Jubilee year celebrations of FTII, Pune - 2010, SAMA Festival, Newcastle Gateshead (organised by GemArts GemArts website, PCS & Kalapremi) - 2008, International Birmingham dance festival - 2008, World Performing Arts Festival, Lahore- 2008, Centre for contemporary art, Bahrain - 2008, India Now Festival, London - 2007, Asian Arts Mart Festival, Singapore - 2005, etc.
In India, they have performed at the Kalagodha festival, Mumbai - 2006, The Other Festival, Chennai - 2002, Soorya festival, Kerala - 2007, Khoj International Artist Festival, Bangalore - 2004, Dharwad Utsav 2008, Attakkalari Festival for Movement Arts - 2004 among others.
Prayog, their home production, has become a veritable melting pot of artists from varied disciplines speaking their heart out through original contemporary dance experiments/presentations. Prayog, which means“experiment” is a brand that seeks to establish itself in the performing arts world as a dance theater production par excellence. In its last few avatars, Prayog has effectively used technology, classical dance, movement, martial arts, poetry and storytelling to create breath taking works of art. In its format of short, powerful pieces, Prayog gives the choreographers and the dancers a forum for experimentation, pushing the boundaries of their bodies as dancers and of the art as a discipline.
Prayog-1 - August 2001, the pilot project was the collaborative effort of 14 artistes - live musicians, fashion designers and fine artists - to present six thematic choreographies.
Prayog-2 - August 2004, took their work to a larger audience With 10 performers scanning the stage space, this production was also earmarked with a release of a booklet on contemporary dance titled ‘Reflections’.
Prayog-3 - January 4, 2008, showcased a multi-media production with a massive team of 35 artistes - dancers, musicians, photographers, light designers, graphic artistes and installation artistes.
Prayog-4 - November 22, 2013, furthering on the creation of a unique, unconventional dance brand that would lead the Indian contemporary dance ethos into new directions. It featured three choreographies – “Matsyaangnaa”, and Trishanku” choreographed by Madhuri Upadhya and “Chakra” choreographed by Sathya BG.
Adhyaya:
Adhyaya is Nritarutya’s initiative to present other dancers and dance forms- ADHYAYA features young, promising dancers narrating dance to their listeners, art critics, fellow dancers, lovers of art and dance.
Nritarutya has, at present, 2 branches-a Partnership firm and a Dance trust .The trust is currently working on a dance scholarship program for young dancers.
Major performances at:
- B- 70 celebrations for Mr.Amitabh Bachchan’s 70th birthday 2012
- Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations with Raghu Dixit at Windsor Castle (UK) 2012
- “India fantastique” book launch for the Ambanis’ celebrating designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla’s 25 years journey in fashion industry 2012
- “Aanaksh” a Milap feature at Capstone theatre, Liverpool (UK) 2012
- Television launch of Kaun Banega Crorepati in Suvarna channel 2012
- MAD Festival – a festival of Music, Dance and Arts (Ooty) 2012
- Danse Dialogues- Indo French Festival by the French Embassy(Bangalore)2011
- Maya Ayam International collaboration with Chitraleka Dance Company(India-UK tour)2011
- Prayog-3Kamani auditorium(Delhi)2011
- Mangalyam-50 artists ensemble, commissioned by GVK Group (Hyderabad) 2011
- Nav Durga classical contemporary dance production (Bangalore) 2011
- Flash Mob with 100 dancers -in association with Radio city (Bangalore) 2011
- Navy ball for Indian Navy (Port blair) 2011
- Dance Jhatre(Bangalore)2011
- Film and Television Institute of India-Golden Jubilee(Pune)2010
- Bharath Nivas(Auroville)2010
- Kaliyarangu International Theatre Festival(Irinjalakuda)2010
- Jhalapathothsava –Government festival(Shivanasamudra)2010
- SAMA Festival-(New Castle,UK) 2008
- World Performing Arts Festival-(Lahore,Pakistan)2008
- Birmingham International Dance Festival 2008
- Prayog 3 2008
- Dharwad Utsav 2008
- The Soorya Festival(Trivandrum,kerala) 2007
- Hampi Utsava (Hampi, Karnataka) 2007
- Unity – A Relief Effort (Muscat) 2007
- ‘India Now’ – Trafalgar Square Festival (London) 2007
- Kalagodha Art Festival (Mumbai) 2006
- World Kannada Conference by AKKA (USA) 2006
- India Men’s Fashion Fair (Bangalore) 2006
- Mastakabhisheka Celebrations 2006
- Luxury Conference (Gateway of India) 2006 - A 35-dancer production for designers Tarun Tahiliani, Manish Arora, and Sabyasachi Mukerji
- National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad) 2005
- Asian Arts Mart (Singapore) 2005
- Yuva Dasara (Mysore) 2004
- Kala Nadam Arts Festival (Bangalore) 2004
- Ninasam Kalashibira (Heggoddu) 2004
- Prayog(Bangalore) 2004
- Khoj International Artist Festival (Bangalore) 2004
- Bangalore Biennial International Festival for Movement Arts 2004
- Lakme India Fashion Week (Mumbai) 2003 – Collaborated with two international designers and choreographed exclusive dance pieces
- Miss India Pageant (Mumbai) 2003 - Conceptualized a theme-based production
- One Way(Bangalore) 2003 - A collaborative production with 18/0 Water Proof – a Swiss dance company
- Tunga Mahotsav (Shimoga) 2003/2008
- Bangalore Habba 2003/2004
- Shankara Arts Festival (Bangalore) 2002
- Trans Indus Art Festival (Bangalore) 2002
- World Dance Day (Bangalore) 2002
- India International Coffee Festival (Bangalore) 2002
- Prayog (Bangalore) 2002