Latest news with #Odissi
The Star
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Classical Indian dance showcase in KLCC
(From third left) TFA choreographer Kishore Krishnan, Effendy, Prakash and TFA music director Jyotsna Nithyanandan Prakash with the dancers. — Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star AN Indian cultural showcase is set to take place at one of Malaysia's most prestigious performing arts venues in Kuala Lumpur. Artistes from the Temple of Fine Arts (TFA) will present a special performance themed 'Ragas and Mudras' (melodic framework and symbolic ritual gestures) at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP), Kuala Lumpur City Centre on Sept 6. DFP business and strategic relations management head Effendy Khalid said that although the venue was renowned for orchestras and concerts, it also focused on cultural and heritage performances. 'Over the years, we have been actively promoting cross-cultural performances and this year, we felt it was the right time to invite TFA. 'It has always been our aspiration to support cross-cultural performers and to provide a platform where people from all walks of life can enjoy these types of performances,' he said. Founded in 1981, TFA is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the development of performing arts, especially Indian classical dance and music. TFA spokesperson Prakash Kandasamy said guests would be treated to 90 minutes of Indian classical music and dance. Barathanatyam and Odissi are two of the four main Indian classical dance styles that will be performed by Temple of Fine Arts at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, Kuala Lumpur. The performance will be split into two, he said, with the first 45 minutes featuring Hindustani and Carnatic music. 'In this segment, there will be vocals, sitar, veena, violin, mridangam and tabla, among others. 'A percussion battle has also been planned as the highlight of the segment. 'The second half will showcase four main Indian classical dance styles, namely Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak and Kuchipudi.' About 40 artistes aged between 18 and 50 will be involved in the performance. The TFA presentation is part of the 'DFP Seni Festival' extravaganza, an annual event that celebrates Malaysia's rich cultural heritage through traditional arts and music performances. This year's programme also includes Mistik Pura Masyrik, a performance of east coast legendary folktales on Aug 9; and Sanggar Seni, a collection of music, dance and songs at the DFP foyer that will be presented free of charge from Sept 5 to 7.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
Youth arrested for snatching Hungarian woman's mobile
Bhubaneswar: Nayapalli police on Monday arrested a 19-year-old youth on charges of snatching a Hungarian woman's mobile phone in the city last week. The accused was identified as Mohammad Rihan alias Jumma, a resident of a Nayapalli slum. Turi Virag Reka (25), an Odissi instructor from Budapest, filed a police report on July 11 alleging that two men on a motorcycle had snatched her mobile phone near the N-4 area in the upscale Nayapalli neighbourhood at 5pm. Police sources said Reka, who had arrived in Bhubaneswar three months earlier to study Odissi, was walking near Nayapalli Community Care Association when her mobile was snatched. "The theft left me panicked and worried as my phone contained crucial digital documents and two SIM cards — one Indian and one Hungarian," her complaint stated. Reka, who has been frequently visiting Odisha since the last 10 years, also said that her situation was particularly urgent as she was scheduled to depart India on Monday. "We prioritised her case due to her approaching visa expiration. We formed a three-member team for investigation and activated the property offence prevention and detection (POPD) unit," a senior police officer said. Police examined footage from about 30 CCTV cameras near the crime scene, which led them to identify Rihan. They arrested him on Monday morning and retrieved the stolen mobile phone, which was returned to Reka. "Our swift action and successful recovery of the phone enabled the foreign national to leave the country as scheduled on Monday. We are looking for Rihan's associate, who is on the run," the police officer said.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Top Malaysian model Vanizha is out to reshape representation in the industry
For Vanizha Vasanthanathan, representation goes beyond tokenism: it must be rooted in genuine commitment and cultural respect. The model and classically trained Odissi dancer who broke ground as the first Malaysian Indian to grace the cover of Vogue Singapore has modelled at Milan Fashion Week and numerous other international runways in the past decade. As one of the few dark-skinned models (sometimes, the only one) hired for many of these events, Vanizha is aware of what it means to truly be seen. "Inclusivity is not a trend, it's actually a responsibility," says the 31-year-old Kuala Lumpur native. "Rather than focusing on tokenism or just ticking off a box, it goes beyond that." In fact, one of the reasons she became a model was to break beauty standards and to represent people who look like her. "Because when I was young, I didn't have anyone to look to, and I think nowadays, young girls do, because a lot of dark skinned models are coming up, and not only Indians, but other ethnicities," she says. It is when she reads or watches interviews with young models and they name her as an inspiration that she feels like she has made an important contribution to the industry. Closer to home, she feels like a lot more can be done not just in terms of diversity, but to raise the profile of local models. — Photo: Yap Chee Hong/The Star; Max Mara; Hair & makeup: Vanizha Vasanthanathan A journey of pushing boundaries In both fashion and dance, Vanizha projects a quiet but powerful presence – one that challenges today's ideals of beauty while celebrating her own individuality. For our cover shoot, she poses with confidence and ease, but this wasn't always the case. "It took years for me to become who I am, to be confident in myself. It didn't happen overnight," says Vanizha, who was first spotted at a college fashion show before being approached to model by local designers. The daughter of a retired medical officer and homemaker, Vanizha didn't particularly enjoy her school years, often finding herself the subject of mockery due to her height of 181cm and skin colour. "Before I started modelling at the age of 21, I was not at all confident about myself, my skin tone, my height," she says. "And when I started getting booked for jobs, then I realised that there's something special about me. "When I started slowly being proud of my skin tone and embracing it, it was like 'Okay, I own it', you know? I would say modelling changed my life and the way I look at myself," says Vanizha, who also modelled in China, India and Jakarta before Milan came calling. Having trained as an Odissi dancer under the tutelage of renowned choreographer and dancer Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, this discipline gave her somewhat of an advantage in her modelling career. Dancing, which she started at 15, provided her with better posture, flexibility and confidence, giving her more range which allowed her to model comfortably in both dance outfits and elaborate creations by designers. Perfectly comfortable performing on stage, walking the runway and gazing into the camera lens, it is close family and friends that help keep her grounded. "My family, and now my husband, they have always been supportive. At the beginning, I didn't have money to even buy proper heels or clothes or makeup products and my family, especially my father, have really supported me," says Vanizha, who has three older siblings. "My husband, who is a pilot, has been very supportive. Whenever he has a day off he follows me to shoots," adds Vanizha, who tied the knot with David Abraham Pakianathan in May. Being the change Seizing good opportunities that came her way and honing her skills through the years has brought Vanizha to where she is today, and she believes that real change in the industry is slowly – but surely – underway. "Even for me, it took 10 years to get where I am, and while things are not rapidly changing, they are changing for the better," says Vanizha. When she first started out, merely having one model who looked different from the others in any given show was an anomaly, but today, more agencies, brands and designers are looking to include more diversity in their editorials and runways - from skin tone to body types. "When I modelled in China for the first time, I was the only Indian girl while everyone else was Caucasian or Chinese. I was told that other agencies didn't 'dare' bring in dark skinned models because they weren't sure if they could secure jobs for them," says Vanizha. She notes that right after that season, when her agency brought her in, other agencies started to bring in models ranging from brown skinned to even darker skinned. Having made an impact with all her career milestones, Vanizha does feel the weight of the responsibility of reshaping beauty standards in South-East Asia and beyond. — Photo: Yap Chee Hong/The Star; Wardrobe: Maje; Hair & makeup: Vanizha Vasanthanathan "It does feel heavy. Because, like, whenever I do something, I feel like, 'Okay, what's next? What do I need to do next?' So I keep searching for opportunities and when they come along, I just grab it. So it does feel heavy sometimes, but I think in a good way, and it's also sort of pushed me to be a better person, to do better," she says. Closer to home, she feels like a lot more can be done not just in terms of diversity, but to raise the profile of local models. "Many high end brands hold fashion shows or store launches here, but they don't hire local models, they hire Caucasian models. It upsets me because if you want to do a show in Malaysia, I feel it should include most of the models being Malaysian," she says. She believes everyone in the industry, from brands to agencies and clients, share the responsibility for improving inclusivity. Looking ahead When she isn't modelling or dancing, Vanizha attends events and creates content for social media, but doesn't consider herself a content creator per se. "Being a content creator is another level, because you really need to put in a lot of effort, with cameras, lighting, editing and so on. So it's more like a side gig for me." At the moment, she is looking to explore more modelling opportunities in Europe, but in the meantime she is enjoying life as a newlywed and preparing for upcoming dance shows. "Dancing wise, I don't think I will ever retire from dancing, I think it just keeps me going. It keeps me sane," she says.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Odias in US pay tribute to Uttam Mohanty
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Odias living in the US paid tribute to veteran actor Uttam Mohanty at the annual convention Odisha Society of the Americas (OSA) organised at Frisco, Texas. Mohanty, who has acted in more than 135 films, died on Feb 27, 2025. The tribute included a special hour-long programme featuring dance performances on his famous songs, celebrating his immense contribution to Odia cinema. "Uttam Mohanty is a superstar with a vast repertoire of work. Paying tribute to him came naturally to us," OSA secretary Santwana Dash said. The OSA members practised for nearly a month before putting up the show, which ended in a symbolic gesture to pass the torch to the next generation with all members conveying their best wishes to the late actor's son, Babushaan Mohanty, through a dance performance. "Uttam Mohanty's legacy will continue with his son," Santwana added. This year's convention witnessed the participation of over 1,500 Odias, who celebrated their roots over three days. There were Odissi, Champu and Chhanda drama presentations, a tribal fashion show and gorging on Odia delicacies. It highlighted the cultural identity and commitment to preserving and promoting Odisha's rich artistic heritage among the community abroad. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Took 1 Teaspoon Before Bed – Her Belly Was Gone in a Week Hollywood News | USA Click Here Undo The meet also included sessions on spirituality, financial planning, Odia literature and poem recitation, wellness and healthcare, including CPR training, self-breast examination and mental health. It also included discussions by experts on advancing AI in Odisha's higher education, Odisha's development and library movement. The convention was livestreamed on YouTube and the inaugural ceremony was attended by consul general of India in Houston, D C Manjunath, and eminent doctor Sitakantha Dash. The convention was inaugurated by OSA executive committee members — president Leena Mishra, vice-president Saradakanata Panda, secretary Dash and treasurer Subhransu Mishra.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Avirup's Canadian debut blends tribute, tradition and touching reunion
Odissi dancer Avirup's Canadian journey was marked by memorable performances, including tributes to Satyajit Ray and Rituparna Sengupta, witnessed by notable actors. He was felicitated for his contributions to classical arts and cross-cultural dialogue. Odissi dancer Avirup's recent journey to Canada was a memorable one, marking his third international stage performance at a major cultural event and his first-ever visit to the country. He opened the festivities with a tribute to legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, performing the timeless song 'Aha Ki Anondo Akashe Batase.' The performance was witnessed by actors Swastika Mukherjee, Paoli, and Parambrata Chatterjee, adding to the evening's charm. The closing ceremony was equally moving, where Avirup presented a soulful Durga Stuti and paid homage to Rituparna Sengupta through her film songs, sung by Riddhi Bandopadhyay. The narration by Reshmi Mitra added an evocative depth, making the segment one of the most appreciated of the evening. Avirup's felicitation at the event was a proud moment, recognizing his contributions to the classical arts and cross-cultural dialogue. "However, beyond the stage, it was a deeply personal experience that left a lasting impression on me — reuniting with my former student, Rishita. Having started learning Odissi from me at just six years old, Rishita is now doing well in Canada. Her heartfelt gesture of taking me to Niagara Falls despite her busy schedule is something I will remember," said Avirup. From celebrating icons of Bengali culture to reconnecting with students and soaking in Canadian beauty, Avirup's trip was a rich blend of performance, nostalgia, and personal joy.
