| YOGANJALI NATYALAYAM 25, 2nd Cross, Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-13, India. e mail: yognat2001@yahoo.com |
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| Yoganjali Natyalayam's logo is a depiction of its famous Snake Dance which is a fusion of Yoga and Bharata Natyam |
| Yoganjali Natyalayam, the cultural wing of Yoga Jivana Satsangha (International) has had an eventful and joyous existence for the past 14 years. Yoga Jivana Satsangha is an International Organisation founded in 1968 with 135 Centres in twenty-two countries ICYER, the International Centre for Yoga Education and Research, is the two acre residential complex of Yoga Jivana Satsangha, where Six Month International Yoga Teachers Courses are held each year from October 2nd to March 25th annuallyfor thirty-five years since 1968. Yoganjali Natyalayam is the local aspect of the service of Yoga Jivana Satsangha (International) to the cause of Classical Yoga and Indian Culture, which is otherwise national and global in character. Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj, a world famous personality and leading exponent of Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga, established YogNat on March 27th 1993. Pujya Swamiji, the Madathipathi of Shri Kambaliswamy Madam, was the founder of Ananda Ashram in Pondicherry as well as a founding member of the Indian Academy Of Yoga in Benaras Hindu University at Varanasi. He was a member of numerous councils such as the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (Ministry of Health, New Delhi) and was the Vice President of the All India Association of Madathipathis under the present Shankaracharya of Kancheepuram, Shri Jayendra Saraswathi. With the blessings of Pujya Swamiji who was hailed by many as the Father of Scientific Yoga, ICYER, ANANDA ASHRAM and Yognat have brought national and international fame to Pondicherry. Their history is replete with wonderful accomplishments and service to the cause of artistic spirituality. The immense interest amongst the local popular in Yoga, Bharat Natyam and the Carnatic Music is largely due to the efforts of Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri and Puduvai Kalaimamani Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani over the last thirty-five years. Yognat is the continuation of the Sri Kambaliswamy Yoga and Fine Arts Programme for Youth started by Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj and Kalaimamani Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani in 1975. More than 15,000 youth of Pondicherry have received training in Yoga and the Fine Arts of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic Music freely and have benefited from this programme. More than 200 of these students have taken up Yoga and Bharata Natyam teaching as full time careers in India and abroad. Seeing the need for a City Centre to propagate these arts, Swamiji Gitananda Ji founded Yoganjali Natyalayam with an auspicious beginning on March 27th 1993 with the blessings of the Chief Guest Sri V Shivashanmugam, the then Director of Pondicherry Tourism. Sri M Suganantham, president of the Pondicherry Bar Association and leading lawyer of Pondicherry, presided over the inauguration. At the inauguration Pujya Swamiji blessed the institution with the words, 'Make Yoga, the desire for unity at all levelsthe core of your lives, and everything you touch will become a magnificent success". The brainchild of Puduvai Kalaimamani Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, Yognat was founded to give the people of Pondicherry a chance to learn the wonderful Indian cultural arts of Yoga, Bharatanatyam and Carnatic Music in a modern Gurukula setting. Though there is a basic structure, the highlight of Yognats method of teaching is to bring 'excellence out of chaos'. Through many learning situations such as regular classes, summer intensives, camps, competitions, group activities, performances, conferences, seminars, lecture-demonstrations and excursions the students are taught to imbibe the greatness of Yoga and the Indian Fine Arts. The children are not forced into premature stage performances under the guise of arangetrams and are allowed to blossom at their own pace. The emphasis is on personality development and learning to be a good human being rather than on results, prizes and performances. Health, positive attitudes, peacefulness of mind, skilled, strong bodies, quest for excellence and perfection are qualities Yognat strives to inculcate. Yognat seeks to administer an antidote to the poison of the modern educational system and the perilous condition in which both parents and children find themselves trapped. At Yognat, children find a place where they have the chance to express their inner creative urges through Yoga and classical Indian arts and at the same time, learn a unique discipline of body, emotions and mind. Most parents report quite drastic and positive mental, emotional and physical changes in their children even after about one year of study. Yoganjali Natyalayam also has an active Adult Yoga Education programme for gents, college students, housewives and working women. More than a hundred adults are registered at any time. Yoganjali Natyalayam follows the Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga tradition as propagated by Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj in the Yoga training and the Kalakshetra Tradition of Smt Rukhmani Devi of Chennai as taught by Padmashri Adyar K Lakshman and Kalaimamani Smt Jayashree Narayanan in the Bharatanatyam training. Carnatic vocal music is taught in the tradition of Kalaimamani Srirengam Thiru R Ranganthan and Mridungam in the tradition of Thiruvaroor Sri R Krishnamurthy. Yognat offers a Nine Year Part-Time Diploma in Yoga and Bharatanatyam for those interested in pursuing these arts to a greater level along with their academic education. The students have to write a thesis on Yoga and the Fine Arts, write an examination and attend a viva voce in addition to presenting a public stage performance in order to earn the diploma at the end of nine years of rigorous training at YogNat. More than fifty students have enrolled in this Nine Year Part-Time Diploma in Yoga and Bharatanatyam. In the last few years YogNat has conducted the Bharatanatyam Arangetrams for Miss Renuka Devi ,Miss Padma Prashanthini and Miss D Lakshmi who have completed the Nine Year Part Time Diploma study in Yoga and Bharata Natyam successfully. All three of these youngsters serve as excellent role models for the younger children at YogNat in terms of achievements and behaviour. YogNat is a popular City Centre for the propagation of Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga, Bharat Natyam and Carnatic Music and has developed a world famous Bharat Natyam troupe that appears regularly in prestigious festivals all over India and also stages spectacular Bharat Natyam and Yoga programmes yearly in Pondicherry. The world famous Yoga and Bharatanatyam Guru, Kalaimamani, Yogamani, Natya Yogacharini Smt Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani is the Director of Yoganjali Natyalayam. She holds many other prestigious positions. She is Director of the world renowned ICYER and Ashram Acharya of Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry. She has served as a member of various eminent All India Councils such as the CCRYN (Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, Ministry of Health, New Delhi), Pondicherry University Academic Council, National Yoga Education Academic Committee, She serves as a consultant to NCERT (Ministry of Education, New Delhi) and the Council for Philosophical Research (Ministry of Human Resources, New Delhi). A well known international journalist, she is the author of eight books. She has been the editor of the international journal Yoga Life for 33years and brings her 38 years of personal Sadhana and teaching experience into the work of Yognat and is the guiding force behind all successful activities of the institute. She recently received the OUTSTANDING SENIOR CITIZEN AWARD from Pondicherry Junior Chamber, Best Educationist Award from the Pondicherry Psychology Association and has been honoured as an Eminent Woman of Pondicherry by the Dept of Women and Child Development, Govt of Pondicherry. Yogacharya Dr. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI is the Chairman of Yognat and the International Centre for Yoga Education and Research at the Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, South India (www.icyer.com). A Fellow of the Indian Academy of Yoga, he has authored ten DVDs and six books on Yoga as well as published two dozen papers and abstracts on Yoga and Yoga research in national and international Journals. He is a Gold Medalist in Medical Studies (MBBS) with postgraduate diplomas in Family Health (PGDFH) and Yoga (PGDY). He is a Carnatic Vocal, Mridungist, Music Composer and Bharatanataym Choreographer in addition to his duties as a medical officer in the Village Health Programme of the Auroville Health Centre. He has traveled to Italy, Germany and Switzerland as the Cultural Ambassador of the International Yoga Federation and is Advisor of the World Yoga Council and Member of the International Council for Yoga Sport. Yoganjali Natyalayam is the only institute in Pondicherry that has been conducting Spectacular three-hour long Dance Dramas annually in addition to the infotaining Annual Day extravaganza every year. More than 20 faculty and 5 staff members are working in this institution and another 8 faculty and 3 staff members are working in the Pondy West Branch located in Thelarshpet, Pondicherry-9. Extension programmes are running in Indra Nagar, Ariyankuppam, Brindavan, Venkata Nagar, Villianur, Pakkamudayanpet, Chinnamudaliarchavady and Anna Nagar. More than 5000 students have studied in the Natyalayam that boasts of a regular strength of more than 400 students. The specialty of the institution is acrobatic Natya Karanas and the Director has worked tirelessly to reinstate the ancient acrobatic Natya Karanas into the Bharat Natyam repertoire. Natya Karanas are important dynamic aspects of the dance that are seen depicted as bas reliefs in the temples of Chidambaram, Thiruvannamalai, Kumbakonam etc. Because they are similar in nature to Yoga Asanas and because the students are with Yognat from a young age, they learn to perform all these intricate Karanas with ease even in long and tiring performances. The Director has presented lecture demonstrations on this topic at the ABHAI dance festivals in Chennai. She has done extensive research on the subject as well. Yognat students have displayed these acrobatic Natya Karanas in Bharatanatyam recitals in many places including New Delhi, Bangalore, Kodaikanal, Chennai, Trichi, Karaikal , Mahe, Alangudi, Tanjore and Chidambaram. Yognat is the only institute in Pondicherry that has presented 13 FULL LENGTH DANCE DRAMAS (usually more than three hours in length) and TWENTY - EIGHT MINI DANCE DRAMAS (usually more than 45 minutes in length) in the last 14 years. The Major Dance Dramas include: Kannappa Nayanmar, Karaikal Ammaiyar, Nandanar Charitram, Kamba Ramayanam, Meenakshi Thiru Kalyanam, Nala-Damayanthi, Andal Charitram, Silappadikaram, Ramavathara, Dasavathara, Navagraha, Karna and Thiru Gnana Sambandar. The dance dramas usually involve a cast of more than 75 dancers and musicians. The Mini Dance dramas include Natana Poojai Seivom, Muruga Muruga, Navagraha Vazhippadu, Greatness of Bharata Natyam, Dasavataram, Thaye Yashoda, Meenakshi Thaye, Hanuman and Rama, Thiraddavilayattu Pillai, Vandhe Matharam, Lingashtakam, Shivashakti Tandava, Kalinga Narthanam, Prahalad Charitram, Desire (Asa), Swagatham Krishna and many others. The Yoganjali Natyalayam Bharat Natyam Troupe has performed every year in the International Yoga Festival (1993 to 2004), as well as performing for Food Festivals, DRDA Festival, Chidambaram Natyanjali Festival (1998 and 2000), Vinayaka Chathurthi Festivals (1991-2003), Fete De Pondicherry (nearly every year), Govt Natya Vizhas (nearly every year), Government Chittirai Festival and Childrens Festival, Navarathri Festival at Sharadha Matt and many other programmes such as Kamban Vizha and Siekkizhar Conferences. Yoganjali Natyalayam has performed at many conferences and festivals organised at JIPMER and Pondicherry University as well as many government departments such as Women and Child Welfare, Art and Culture, Education and Tourism. Students of Yognat have many opportunities to serve as Yoga Asana demonstrators for foreign tour groups, conferences, seminars, service groups, University and College special classes, and many other special programmes. Yoganjali Natyalayam has also performed in Chennai on numerous occasions such as the Tenth Anniversary celebrations of ABHAI (Association of Bharat Natyam Artists of India) at Narada Gana Sabha; ABHAI Dance Festival (Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan); Navaratri Festival of Natyanjali Foundation (Madras Music Academy); INTACT Dance festival (Chittarangam auditorium at Fair Grounds); 25th anniversary celebrations of Bharata Choodamani (Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan auditorium); South Zone Cultural Festival (Gandhi Mantapam, Guindy); and Arkaya Foundations Celebration at the Narada Gana Sabha in 2002. It was truly a proud moment when Yoganjali Natyalayam received the Sanskrithi Award for 2001 from the then Lt Governor of Pondicherry, Dr Rajini Rai and performed at the Raj Nivas on the occasion. This award was given in recognition of Yognats work in propagating Indian Culture throughout India on a National Level. It is note worthy that four of the NATIONAL BEST CHILD Awardees M Niraimathy, N Ramya, M Illaval and M Desh are students of Yognat. The Ministry of Human Resources, New Delhi gives this award for exceptional talent in children. Niraimathy and Ramya had also earlier bagged the BEST CREATIVE CHILD AWARD from the Govt of Pondicherry. Senior students of the institution such as M Niraimathy, V Renuka Devi, Padma M Prashanthini and D Lakshmi have won First Prize in the Annual Dance competition conducted by Kamban Khazhagam with songs choreographed from the Kamba Ramayanam. These students have also distinguished themselves in many other competitions such as the Bharathiyar celebrations and Youth Festivals conducted by the Department of Education, Govt of Pondicherry, the Latha Rajinikath Dance Awards and many other inter and intra school and college level competitions. Students of the institution have won various prizes at National and International level Yogasana competitions including the International Yoga Festival of Govt of Pondicherry, Himalaya Yoga Olympiad of Vivekananda Kendra Yogas, Bangalore, South Zone Yoga Competitions, Patanjali Competitions, Kancheepuram and Chennai Yoga Festivals. They have also excelled in the Pondy State level Yogasana competitions as well as the Swami Gitananda Best Youth Awards competitions held every year by the Pondicherry Yogasana Association. Special mention must be made of M Niraimathy who won the Champion of Champions Award at the International Yoga Festival in 2000 as well as D Lakshmi, N Ramya and V Renuka Devi who have won Swami Gitananda Best Youth Awards in 2000,2001 & 2002. Dhesh deserves mention for winning Swami Gitananda Best Child Award in 2002. Yognat has been selected twice for the International Yoga Scholarships offered by the Yoga Education and Research Centre, California, USA in recognition of Yognats work with youth of Pondicherry. More than 15 students have benefited from these scholarships that include tuition fees, yoga books, uniforms and other articles useful for their development in Yoga. YogNat has instituted the Sangeetha Samrat Awards for Excellence in Carnatic Music in the memory of Shri Vijaya Bhaskar of Bangalore since 2003 onwards. Shri Vijaya Bhaskar was the well known music composer of Karnataka who composed music for more than 650 films in numerous languages. The Michel Danckwerts Yoga and Cultural Excellence Award has been given from 2003 onwards to a boy and girl student of YogNat for their achievements in Yoga and Bharatanatyam. This includes a gold medal, a certificate, a Yoga tuition fees. Two scholarships were also given to meritorious students through this award instituted in the memory of Michel Danckwerts of Australia. Yoganjali Natyalayam has set up various awards to honour the parents and students of the institute for their dedication and commitment to Yoga and the fine arts. Awards such as the Yoga Virya Award, Best Boy Student and Best Girl Student have helped the children be focused on the Yoga and Bharatanatyam studies as well as try their best. Awards for year-long performance as well as 100% attendance keep the children on their toes all the time. Students of Yognat have also excelled in academics and it was a proud moment for Yognat when its senior student, M Ilaval scored the highest marks in the entire Pondy and Tamil Nadu in 10th Std exams during 2003. He scored the highest ever marks and proved that Yoga is Skill in action for sure. Yoganjali Natyalayam conducts One Month-Summer Intensive Yoga and Bharatanatyam Courses every year in the month of May. This course that has been conducted for the past 10 years also features an optional Three-Day Residential Camp at ICYER (International Centre for Yoga Education and Research) on the shores of the Bay of Bengal near Pondicherry for selected students. Here the children are exposed to the Yogic way of life in Ananda Ashram. This gives the children an opportunity to practice Yoga in a natural setting on the beach at sunrise and sunset as well as to enjoy the pleasure of a bonfire on the beach under the moonlight. Classes, games and group discussions help the children to learn about Yoga as a way of Life. Students also have a chance to participate in Cultural Satsanghas in the form of numerous Guru Pujas and celebrations such as Poornima Pujas and Maha Shivaratri at Sri Kambaliswamy Madam, Thattanchavady. The International Yoga Teaching Faculty of well trained Yoga teachers and professionals from all over the world offer special classes at various times for both children and adults at the Yognat and ICYER campuses. These occasions help our youth to get out of the Frog-in-the-Well Mentality that is so predominant in todays world. Yoga Based Therapy for various disorders and diseases is offered by prior appointment with the Consultant Yoga Therapist, Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani . More than 900 patients have benefited from the Yoga Therapy offered at Yognat in the last eight years. Dr Ananda is Resource Person for Community College, Tagore Arts College and Centre for Yoga Studies, Pondicherry University. He is a Honourary Member of the IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists, California, USA) and Advisor to the World Yoga Council of the International Yoga Federation in Uruguay, South America. He has received the MARUDHA RAMALINGANAR BEST YOUNG PERSON AWARD from the Youth Peace Centre, Pondicherry as well as the YOGA VIBHUSHAN AWARD from the Tamil Nadu State Yogasana Association and Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. He has also received the Dr Sushila Taker National Award for Yoga from AADAR, Gujarat. Yognat celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a grand festival of Yoga, Bharatha Natyam and Carnatic Music on 19th and 20th July 2003. The chief guests included the Hon Lt Governor Shri KR Malkani Ji, The Chief Minister Shri N Rangasamy, The Health Minister Shri E Valsaraj as well as the Education, Tourism and Art & Culture Minister Shri K Lakshminarayanan. A grand souvenir of more than 300 pages was brought out on the occasion and released by the Governor. More than 250 students participated in the two days of gala celebrations that were attended by more than 3000 spectators. Padmashri Adyar K Lakshmanan was a special invite along with the nine Shironmani awardees. The event was widely covered by all newspapers in Pondicherry. Yognat aims to ground the students in the roots and values of our ancient Indian Culture. In the modern, materialistic world, it strives to remain a voice of sanity. It trys to remain faithful to its motto, the aim , the goal set for it by Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj when he established Yoganjali Natyalayam on March 27, 1993: 'Spiritual Perfection through Yogic and Artistic Excellence'. For more details please contact: YOGANJALI NATYALAYAM 25, 2nd Cross, Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-13, India. e mail: yognat2001@yahoo.com |
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