UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

Satyavani has had the fortune to improve her knowledge in performing arts and enhance her histrionic talents at the M. S. University, Baroda. At the university, she continued further training of Bharatanatyam in the Kalakshetra style under the able guidance of well-known scholar and choreographer Nritya Choodamani Prof. C. V. Chandrasekhar, a recipient of the distinguished All India Sangeet Natak Academy award for his excellent contribution to Indian classical dance. Satyavani also studied the Ballet and Modern Dance at the M. S. University along with an introduction to several dances of the world. She was actively involved in various workshops exchanging views with internationally reputed choreographers, including Jonathan Hollander of Battery Dance Company, New York and Dr. Brennon of University of Wisconsin, Madison. Satyavani was awarded the prestigious Anjali Merh Memorial Gold Medal by the M. S. University for her outstanding performance in the Bachelor of Performing Arts (B.P.A) besides being offered a merit scholarship in post-graduation. She had also stood first in the University for her Master of Performing Arts (M.P.A.), with an equally outstanding performance.

While at the university, Satyavani had the distinction of being the first one who is still a student to take part in the professor's choreographs, performed all over the country. Prof.C.V.Chandrasekhar picked up Satyavani for her exquisite performances in Bharatanatyam and he very rarely takes students before they complete their M.P.A. During her Masters, Satyavani's research on Lesser Known Dance forms of Andhra, won many a critical acclaim from many accomplished artistes interested in research in performing arts. In her thesis, she analyzes the dance forms of Andhra Pradesh (a southern state of India) other than Kuchipudi, like Andhra Natyam, Perini Siva Thandavam, Prajanartanalu, Devaganikas, etc. She worked with Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna for learning the nuances in Andhra Natyam and Perini Siva Thandavam.

Satyavani also has the distinction of receiving a simultaneous degree in Clinical Psychology, her second love, and she accomplished yet another honor by standing second in the university for the faculty of Psychology. Her long term research plans include working on the use of dance as a therapeutic cure for children with Behavioral Disorders, Mental Retardation, or Physical Disabilities. She is currently working as a Dance Movement Therapist at Forest Psychiatric Hospital in Des Plaines IL (USA) fulfilling her much cherished dream after yet another of her Master's in Dance/Movement Therapy at Columbia College Chicago under the able guidance of the founding member of American Dance Therapy Association, Jane Ganet-Siegal. Thus she became the first ever Indian Classical Dancer to achieve the unique distinction of becoming a Dance Movement Therapist, taking her profound knowledge of Indian Classical Dance to new directions.

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© 1997 For further information, write to: Ellora Center for Performing Arts