Mangaluru: TEDxSJEC has a little something in store for everyone on February 16. Apart from the eight distinguished speakers who will be enlightening the audience on how “Love Conquers All”, there will be a few entertainment segments where performers – dance and music – will enthral the audience.
Sitar Metal
Cultural collision, truly original, unique and first of its kind, Sitar Metal hails as the true inventor and pioneer of the sound of not only sitar fronted Indian Classical and Rock/Metal fusion, but the broader spectrum of Indian music coming together with world music sounds. Their music isn’t only hell-bent Hindustani classical, catchy, heavy and unapologetically original, but they are the only band to not simply use Indian Classical music in small proportions just for its name sake, but truly cementing the idea of the genre and its instruments ‘fronting’ an entire rock/metal band, creating music that equally represents Indian classical and rock/metal music, fronted by the sitar.
Sitar metal has emerged as a league of their own in the global music scene, not only because of their music and live performance experience, but also because of the founder Rishabh Seen, who single-handedly created the idea and vision of sitar metal back in 2015 by covering bands like Meshuggah and Animals as leaders and founding his earlier project ‘Mute the Saint’ (2016), going viral with over 4 million YouTube views. Not too long after that, they were being mentioned by James Hetfield (Metallica), Arijit Singh, Steven Wilson, Guthrie Govan, Bryan Beller, Thomas Hake and more in YouTube videos, interviews, radio shows and social media posts. Learn more about Sitar Metal at: http://sitarmetal.com/.
Vidwan B Deepak Kumar
Vidwan B Deepak Kumar is an avid Bharathanatyam artiste hailing from Puttur, and is committed towards the propagation of Indian dance traditions. His unique distinction in depicting the NATYA-YOGA is a remarkable one. His passion for dance was discovered and nurtured at a tender age under the guidance of Guru Ambale Rajeshwari of Madikeri. His dancing skills in Bharathanatyam were honed by late Guru Narmada, Bengaluru in the Tanjore style and Guru Ullal Mohan Kumar, Mangaluru in the Pandanallur style. He also attended workshops where he received intensive guidance from internationally acclaimed Gurus and dancers like Savitri Jagannathan, Kalanidhi Narayanan, Bragha Bassell, Ramaa Vaidyanathan, Priyadarshini Govind, C V Chandrashekar and Padmashri Adayar K Lakshmanan.
Deepak, son of D. Bhavani Shankar and Shashi Prabha, is also learning another classical dance form – Kuchipudi – from the renowned dancer and Guru from Bengaluru Veena Murthy Vijay. Deepak received his training from Sandhya Rani of Warangal. His interests also extend to learning Karnatic vocal and he has been trained under Hema Subba Rao, Kanchana Narayana Bhat, Krishnagopal and Ramakrishna Bhat in Puttur. Read more about Deepak at: http://smcacademy.org/.
Mahima S Rao
Mahima considers herself a student of Bharathanatyam, Kuchupudi, Mohiniyattam, folk dance and Yakshagaana. She learnt the basic steps of Bharathanatyam from Sindu Bhaskaran (Natyalayam) and folk dance from Babu Neeleshwaram. Currently, Mahima practices Bharathanatyam, Kuchupudi, and Mohiniyattam in Natya Nilayam, Manjeshwara, under the Guidance of Natya Guru Balakrishna Manjeshwara. She also practices Yakshagaana at the Sanathana Yakshalaya, Mangaluru under the guidance of Yaksha Guru Rakesh Rai Adka.
Mahima completed her Junior Grade Exam (with First Class), Senior Grade Exam (with Distinction) and Vidwath Grade Exam (with First Class) in Bharathanatyam conducted by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board. She has participated in the Kerala State level Youth Festival 2014 and secured the ‘A’ grade in Bharathanatyam. She also participated in the VTU Fest.
Mahima has also performed in various cultural programmes in Mumbai, Madras, Bengaluru, Hassan etc. and has won prizes in various inter-collegiate events.
Catch these amazing performers at TEDxSJEC on February 16 at the St. Joseph’s Engineering College in Vamanjoor.
About TEDxSJEC
This is the first time that this prestigious institution will be conducting the event, which will be held in the Kalam Auditorium.
The theme for the day-long event is “Love Conquers All”, and with just under a fortnight to go for valentines day… love conquers all is a great theme, especially in these times of hate. Eight inspiring speakers, three glamourous entertainers will conquer you with the tales of all that they have done, and all that you can do – If you believe.
Apart from Capt Arohi, speakers include Corrine Antoinette Rasquinha – social worker and founder of White Doves NGO, Girish Bharadwaj (Padma Shri Awardee)- engineer and social innovator, Omkar Pai – engineer and nature enthusiast, Vaishak JP – mountaineer, Rishabh Seen – Indian classical and metal musician, Abhiraj Rajadhyaksha and Niyati Mavinkurve – chief storyteller at Following Love, travel writer and author, and Mx. Ria Sharma – model, speaker, storyteller and LGBTQAI + youth activist.
Then, of course, there is entertainment – live your passion be it music or the creative arts with Sitar Metal – the Indian classical and rock/metal fusion band, Vidwan Deepak Kumar – Bharathanatyam, Mahima S Rao – Yakshagana, and Prithesh Bhandari and team topping it off with an English play.
SJEC students are no minnows in the creative arts though. Their creative instincts and talents occasionally override their logical brains and the TEDxSJEC event is one such occasion. The students will be showcasing artistic installations, mime, drawings, etc under the title “Corridors of Love”.
A token registration fee is all it takes
To get all this and more, interested persons (and having read this piece, you will be) can pay a registration fee of Rs 1250, but wait… don’t be put off just yet! The registration includes a TEDxSJEC kit valued at Rs 600, and comprises breakfast, lunch and two refreshments! Participants will also receive an e-certificate as proof that they have attended the event, which will be sent via email.
Please be informed that the registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
To know more about the event and to register, go to http://tedxsjec.in/
