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EVENTS
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Show – ARRANGED MARRIAGE
Dates - Friday, Apr 26, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, Apr 27, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, Apr 28, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Venue - Charity Randall Theatre
Stephen Foster Memorial
University of Pittsburgh
4301 Forbes Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Story and Direction: Varun Mahajan
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Arranged Marriage celebrates the courage, strength and guiding influence of Indian women, together with the vital role they play in assuring societal stability and harmony. While the issues of oppression and abuse of women in India are regularly portrayed in media, a lesser known phenomenon is how Indian women exert influence and power through their roles as wives and mothers. This is the the journey of Indian man Gopal who settles for an arranged marriage with a simple beautiful woman Meera after being insisted by his mother Durga Devi. Can Meera and Gopal make this marriage work? Will it sustain the pressure of unknowns that might be waiting for them? |
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Show - WHERE IS THE CULTURE?
Dates - Friday, Sep 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sep 10, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, Sep 10, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Venue - Charity Randall Theatre
Stephen Foster Memorial
University of Pittsburgh
4301 Forbes Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Story and Direction: Varun Mahajan |
“Where is the Culture?” continues the focus on societal diversity by addressing the racial and religious divides erected by normal people either blinded by rigid social norms, or fearful of change. In "Where is the Culture?", an Indian immigrant discovers that traditional Indian cultural values, such as respect for elders, honesty in relationships and appreciation of Indian art, that he so fervently sought to preserve among his American family, have been disregarded among his Indian family residing in India. Other surprises surface which ultimately provide the protagonist with a catalyst to persuade his family to reject anger and division, and embrace love and acceptance. |
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Show - LIVING IN AMERICA
Dates - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Venue - Charity Randall Theatre
Stephen Foster Memorial
University of Pittsburgh
4301 Forbes Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Directed & Scripted by: Varun Mahajan |
LIVING IN AMERICA is a performance work that uses the medium of dance to portray some of the most difficult human emotions. Choreographed by Varun Mahajan and Sonia Mahajan, this performance explores the life of an Immigrant in the United States. It is a touching portrayal of the emotional journey by which a person reinvents himself over a period of time. LIVING IN AMERICA offers a fascinating collection of emotions that are beautifully generated by the dancers by means of their dance moves and expressions. The performance wishes to reiterate the fact that every human should reconcile with the fact that his most powerful tool is ‘hope’. It wishes to reinstate the belief that one should make the most of whatever situation comes his way. All this beautifully encapsulated in the aesthetic charm of Indian classical (Kathak), Folk, Fusion and Contemporary style. |
EDUCATION
The Guiding Star Dance Foundation provides opportunities to students at college and university levels to have a feel learn and imbibe these Indian art forms. The foundation goes on to provides scholarships and education assistance to the students based on their interest and income level.
Indian dance forms are varied and diverse. But what is common in all the different dance forms is the passion and involvement that they are able to generate with the audience. Amongst these Indian dance forms are included the mystical moves of the classical dance form of Kathak which masters the art of conveying ancient stories through delicate and beautiful hand movements facial expressions and feet movements. Contrasting this is the exuberance and vibes of the Punjabi dance forms of Bhangra and Gidha. All about energy, effervescence and the rich burst of bright colors, Bhangra and Gidha are highly infectious dance forms which attract everyone to leave behind their inhibitions and try and shake a leg! The soulful dance of Dandiya and the beautiful gyrations to the tunes of valor songs depicted in the Rajasthani dance forms of Ghoomar and Kalbelia provide an incredible visual treat. With each of these dances comprising of moves which are different from one another, all of them are equally beautiful and visually captivating.
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