Spasibo Shankaraa: An Indo-Russian cultural synergy in Bengaluru

Shankaraa Foundation: Spasibo Shankaraa, an Indo-Russian cultural synergy in Bengaluru

Shankaraa Foundation, on Kanakapura Road, is organising Spasibo Shankaraa- A Tribute, a cultural collaboration between maestros from India and Russia. It is an artistic confluence to express reverence to Shiva through music and dance, says Rashme Hegde Gopi, who founded the Shankaraa Foundation in 2002 as a tribute to all forms of creative expression. “It extends an open-hearted welcome to artists and artisans from different streams of life,” says Rashme. “The space also facilitates cross-cultural and interdisciplinary interactions. ”

Spasibo, Rashme says means thank you in Russian. “We decided to organise the event on February 26, to celebrate Mahashivratri at Shankaraa.” Rashme says her association with the White Lotus Group, Russia goes back to 1990. “We have been having artistic dialogues ever since. Now seven artists are returning to Shankaraa for Spasibo Shankaraa.

The Bharatanayma and Mohiniyattam dancer, Karnataka State Rajyotsava awardee and the Karnataka Kalashree Award from Sangeet Nritya Academy, Rashme is also the founder of Rudraksha. It is also an artistic space that promotes tribal and folk dance forms. “Rudraksha is my very first venture, I started it in 1992.”

The evening will feature two segments. The first, curated by Rashme, will feature three performances — Mallari, a dance by the students of Sai Arts International School directed by Dr Suparna Venkatesh, Dance of the Elements featuring Indian and Russian dancers and Rhythms of Shiva a performance by Russian kathakaars —Tatiana Nazarova and Eleonora Petrova.

The second, titled Free Spirit, will be a reflection and musical dialogue between Russian and Indian maestros, says Rashme. “It will feature artists such as Dr Ekaterina Melnikova (keyboard), Dmitry Rasul Kareyev (clarinet) and Dr Svetlana Janardan (sitar), while their Indian counterparts will be Siddharth Belmannu (Hindustani vocalist, BS Arun Kumar (Indian percussion) and Shadaj Godkhindi (bansuri).

About the Russian artists, Rashme shares: “I have known them for 35 years. They would attend my workshops while I was in Moscow and visit me when they were here. Now, 12 artists from the White Lotus Group will perform at Shankaraa. The event is also a celebration of these artistes, who have dedicated a lifetime to learning Indian classical dance and music. My soul is in Shankaraa and my dream is that this place vibrates with music and dance.”

Spasibo Shankaraa is on February, 26, 7.30pm. It is open to all. For registrations to attend the event, call 9071100188 Or 9108676611.