With the support of the JNCC, the Nritya Sabha Foundation invited Shri P T Narendran, an eminent Bharatanatyam dancer from India to conduct master classes at JNCC during 6-14 June, 2011.  The opportunity was utilized by way of presenting a Lecture-Demonstration by him at D P Dhar Hall of the Embassy of India on 7 June.  Mrs. Nutan K Mahawar, Director, JNCC and Shri Mayank Singh, SS (PIC) attended the event on behalf of the Embassy of India.  In his remarks, Shri Singh thanked Mr. Narendran and Nritya Sabha for conducting master classes for the benefit of JNCC students.  The programme followed by a reception.  About 100 people attended the event.

Mrs. Nutan K. Mahawar, Director, JNCC along with Shri P.T. Narendran, lighting the traditional Indian lamp

Shri P.T. Narendran giving demonstation on Bharatnatyam

Shri P.T. Narendran giving demonstation on Bharatnatyam

II       Photo exhibition of works of Alexyi Leonov

Mr. Alexyi Leonov is an upcoming young artist of Russia, who has made many sculptures of famous Indian personalities.  His works have been displayed at various prominent venues in Moscow.  His sculptor of Mother Teressa was installed at Ethnomir Village, Kaluga (Moscow Region).  Photographic exhibition of his works was inaugurated by Shri Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador at D P Dhar Hall on 9 June, 2011. Apart from photographs three of his sculptures viz. Guru Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and Radha were also displayed on the occasion.  In his remarks, Ambassador expressed his delight that such young artists derived inspiration from Indian culture. The prominent speakers on the occasion were Ms. Nina Eryukhina, Counsellor to Secretary of Union State (of Russia and Belarus) and Mr. Ruslan Bairamov, Head of “Ethnomir” project.  Mr. Leonov expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Embassy of India for organizing his exhibition.  Students of Shri Raghav Raj Bhatt, Kathak Dance Teacher of JNCC presented a Kathak dance composition on the occasion.

H.E. Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India, inaugurating the photo exhibition of Mr. Alexei Leonov by lighting of the lamp

Mr. Alexei Leonov addressing the audience

Audience at the exhibition of Mr. Alexei Leonov

JNCC Kathak students presented a Kathak dance composition at the event

III     Participation in the Day of Russia and Day of Pereslavl City –

          Day of Russia and the Day of Pereslavl was celebrated on 12 June in Pereslavl. Mr. Andrey Okhapkin, Mayor of the city, had extended an invitation to JNCC to participate in these celebrations.   Cultural troupes comprising JNCC artists and students also participated at the event. The performances included Classical Dance performances and Kalaripayat Martial art performance by students of JNCC, folk dances by school children from the Embassy of India School and popular and folk dances by other artists under the aegis of 'Disha'.  Shri Mayank Singh, Second Secretary (PIC) attended the event on behalf of the Embassy of India.  In his opening remarks, he thanked the City Administration for the support and warm welcome extended to JNCC and introduced the artists and performances which were lined up for the evening.  The undersigned was also invited to gala dinner hosted by the Mayor of the city and conveyed felicitations on behalf of the Ambassador and other officials of the Embassy of India. Screening of 2 Hindi movies was also arranged at the City Cultural Centre on 11 June 2011 and it received a very favourable response from the audiences. The cultural performances were also appreciated by the residents of the city. City administration provided excellent logistical support to officials and members of the cultural troupes from the Embassy of India.

IV     Concert at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory

          Shri A Badrinarayan Pandit, JNCC Tabla Teacher conducts Tabla classes at the Conservatory on a regular basis.  He presented his concert at the Conservatory on 12 June. He was accompanied by a JNCC student on Harmonium.  The concert was part of the Conservatory’s Music Festival feauturing concerts by musicians of other countries as well.  About 300 people attended the concert.

V       Bharatanatyam performance by Shri P T Narendran –

          During the visit Shri P T Narendran to Moscow for conducting master classes at JNCC, Nritiya Sabha Foundation organized his performance with the support of JNCC on 14 June at Modern Theatre, Moscow.  Shri Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador attended the programme as Chief Guest.  During his address to the audience, Ambassador appreciated Shri P T Narendran’s achievements as performer, teacher and choreographer in the field of Bharatanatyam dance.  Ms. Irina Iskorostenskaya and Ms. Nadezheda Koveriga, JNCC’s Bharatanatyam teachers and members of Nritya Sabha also performed on the occasion.   Programme was attended by about 300 people.

H.E. Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India, addressing the audience at the concert of Mr. P.T. Narendran held at Modern Theatre, Moscow.

Mr. P.T. Narendran, performing at the Modern Theatre, Moscow

VI     Participation in SPIEF

          St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was held in St. Petersburg during 16-18 June.  Dr. Suresh Babu, JNCC Yoga Teacher was deputed to conduct Yoga lessons for the participants of the Forum.

VII    Presentation by Manjari Dance Group

          Manjari Dance Group is one of the active Indian dance groups in Moscow.  The group is led by Ms. Natalia Krotova.  The group organized a  dance performance “Unserious stories for serious people – Parables for Adults” based on stories of Akbar and Birbal on 18 June at the Hall of the Oriental Museum.  Shri Sanjay Vedi, Deputy Director attended the programme on behalf of the Embassy of India.  In his remarks, Deputy Director appreciated group’s contribution for promotion Indian performing art in Russia. A bouquet was presented to Ms. Krotova by Deputy Director on behalf of the Embassy of India.  About 100 people attended the programme.

VIII   Certificate Award Ceremony at School No.19

          JNCC has close interaction with School No.19.  It conducts Hindi learning programme for its students.  JNCC Hindi Professor also conduct Hindi classes from time to time.  Every year certificate for Hindi proficiency are awarded by JNCC to their students.  The School organized Certificate Award Ceremony on 23 June.  Dr. Neelam Saxena, JNCC Hindi Professor and Shri Sanjay Vedi, Deputy Director, JNCC attended the event on behalf of the Embassy of India.  In her remarks, Dr. Neelam Saxena thanked the School No.19 for continuing Hindi teaching.  She assured support of the Embassy of India for Hindi teaching at the School.  While giving Certificates, she also presented Hindi books to students on behalf of the Embassy of India.

IX     Participation in the Indo-Russian Festival in Nizhny Novgorod

          A Festival of Indo-Russian Culture was organized in Nizhny Novgorod on 26 June by Nizhny Novgorod Charity Foundation “Food for Life”.  The Festival was aimed at promotion of Indian and Russian Culture.  On the occasion JNCC presented Yoga, Kalaripayattu and Kathak dance compositions by students of Dr. N Suresh Babu, Yoga Teacher, Mr. Alexyi Neomoin, Kalaripayattu Teacher and Shri Raghav Raj Bhatt, Kathak Teacher.  Many performing groups from Nizhny Novgorod and other cities also presented their dance and music compositions.  Shri Sanjay Vedi, Deputy Director, JNCC attended the event on behalf of the Embassy of India, Moscow.  Mr. Nikolay Guskov, Deputy Director, Department of Culture attended the event as official guest from the local Government.  In his remarks, he thanked JNCC, Embassy of India for participating in the event and hoped for such collaboration on a regular basis in future as well.  In his remarks, Deputy Director JNCC apprised the local audience about the activities of JNCC with regard to regular classes of Yoga, Tabla, Hindi, Kalaripayattu and Indian classical dances, scholarship opportunities, forthcoming Festival of India in Russia and celebrations under the 150th Tagore Anniversary.  He also thanked the organizers and local Government for organizing this Festival showcasing the Indian culture.  The event was held in an open air venue at popular Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street in the Centre of the City.  More than 5000 people attended the event throughout the day.

Mr. Sanjay Vedi, Deputy Director, JNCC addressing the audience at the Indo-Russian Festival in Nizhny Novgorod

JNCC Yoga students performing at the Indo-Russian Festival

JNCC Kathak students performing at the Indo-Russian Festival

X       Interaction with Indian delegation participating in SELIGER 2011

          An Indian youth delegation led by Mr. Umesh Mukhi visited JNCC on 30 June before their participation in the SELIGER 2011.  SELIGER Youth Camp is an international Youth Forum held annually at Lake Seliger, Tver Region, Russia.  About 70 participants were scheduled to participate in this Forum this year from India.  About 30 of them visited JNCC and had interaction with Mrs. Nutan K Mahawar, Director, JNCC, Shri Mayank Singh, SS (PIC) and Shri Sanjay Vedi, Deputy Director, JNCC.  They were also shown Tabla, Yoga and Kathak dance presentations by JNCC students.  Interaction followed by a reception at the lawns of JNCC.