Nrityanjali - National Level Dance Fest

Nrityanjali - A Salutation to Dance
Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru hosted National Dance Fest - Nrityanjali 2024 – A Salutation to Dance on 20th April 2024. Prof. T G Sitharam, Chairman, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Education, Govt of India, New Delhi was the chief guest for the day. Prof. T G Sitharam, while delivering the inaugural address, appreciated the efforts taken by the institution in organizing the Grand National dance fest. He described dance as a powerful art of storytelling as it carries the spirit and creativity of all regions. In his opening remarks, Prof T G Sitharam emphasized the importance of dance as a universal language that brings individuals together through shared experiences. Prof T G Sitharam, emphasized the role of technology, discussing the emergence of ChatGPT and AI to enhance artistic expression. Stressing the importance of flexibility and creativity, he urged the youth to embrace new skills and be the driving force of the nation. The Guest of Honour, Vid. Praveen Kumar P, Bharatanatyam Exponent, Chithkala School of Dance, Bengaluru, emphasized the gamut of experiences provided by such dance festivals that shape our skills beyond academic learning. Addressing the gathering, Vid Praveen Kumar P, welcomed the dignitaries and the audience with a strong message. He said, "Tell me and I will forget, Teach me and I may remember, Involve me and I'll learn.” Vid Praveen Kumar P, emphasized on valuable learning and hands-on experience through dance festivals like Nrityanjali. He expressed his joy on seeing Kristu Jayanti College’s commitment to offering such opportunities to students, enabling them to develop skills demonstrated enabling skills in entertainment, finance, creativity and hospitality.

The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the release of Culdeioscope – The Annual Magazine of Literary and Cultural Association by Prof. T G Sitharam and received by Fr. Dr. Augustine George, Principal, Kristu Jayanti College.

Fr. Dr. Augustine George, Principal, warmly welcomed all dignitaries and the attendees, he spoke about the remarkable achievement of the college. The fest unfolded a harmonious array of Indian classical, western, eastern and experimental dance forms. One of the highlights was the competition segment, where dance troupes and soloists competed in various categories, judged by a panel of renowned dancers and choreographers. The National Dance Fest continues to grow each year, promising to bring even more innovative performances and opportunities for cultural exchange in the future.

The winners of 17th edition of National Intercollegiate Dance Fest- Nrityanjali 2024 were St Joseph’s University and the runners up were Dayananda Sagar University respectively.

Nrityanjali - A Salutation to Dance
The much awaited National Level Intercollegiate Dance Fest Nrityanjali 2023 - The Edge of Rhythm was organized by the Literary and Cultural Association of Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous on April 28, 2023.

For the 16th edition of national level intercollegiate dance festival, Shri Sathyanarayan Raju, Founder, Samskruthi, Temple of Art, was the chief guest and Rev. Fr. Dr. Abraham Vettiyankal, CMI Provincial of St. Joseph Province, Kottayam, the managing trustee of Bodhi Niketan Trust was guest of honour respectively. Delivering the inaugural address, Shri Sathyanarayan Raju, recollected that during his younger days, there were not many dance competitions or opportunities for talents to be showcased. Appreciating the dance festival Shri Sathyanarayan Raju, said, “Our children will carry forward the legacy of classical Bharatanatyam or western dance through such platforms where our Indian art form will grow more and more”. He also emphasized on social media and said, “We must make reels about out art, our heritage and make it known on social media. We have to be responsible for the legacy to be carried forward by the energetic generation of youngsters. Youngsters have to talk about the heritage of Indian art, music and dance”.

During the valedictory address, Fr Lijo P Thomas, Vice Principal, Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous emphasized on participation in the national level dance festival and called every participant across the country as a winner for already appearing here in Nrityanjali.

The winners of 16th edition of national level dance festival Nrityanjali 2023 was St Joseph’s University and the runners up were Mount Carmel College Autonomous respectively.

Nrityanjali – A Salutation to Dance
The Literary and Cultural Association of Kristu Jayanti College organized the 15th edition of ‘Nrityanjali – A Salutation to Dance’ –National Level Virtual Dance Festival on 29th April, 2022. The fest organized on the occasion World Dance Day strives to amplify and nurture talented dancers throughout the nation.

Nrityanjali is dedicated to celebrate the cultural diversity through various Indian dance forms, classical and folk. Inauguration of the annual dance event took place fittingly on International Dance Day. Rev. Dr Augustine George, Principal, Kristu Jayanti College presided over the inaugural ceremony. The Chief Guest this year was Shri Mohamed Farouk, Regional Director (South) Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. In his inaugural speech, he promoted dance as an asset.

The guest of honour, Nritya Choodamani Vid. Vyjayanthi Kashi, expressed her joy in the way national dance fest was being held at Kristu Jayanti which allows the exploration of creativity and joy in all the students.

This year Nrityanjali had competitions in eleven different categories; Indian classical, Western, Folk, Eastern, Adaptune, Dance-Off were some of the events. All events saw overwhelming participation and enthusiastic audience appreciation of the aesthetics of dance in its various forms. The panel of jury consisted of eminent alumni dance professionals of the college and external experts. The dance extravaganza concluded with the valedictory ceremony. The participants from different colleges across the nation appreciated the organisers of Nrityanjali for curating a platform to encourage young artists. Prize winners were felicitated.

Nrityanjali 2021-National Level Virtual Dance Fest
The Literary and Cultural Association of Kristu Jayanti College organized the 14th edition of ‘Nrityanjali – A Salutation to Dance’ –National Level Intercollegiate Dance Festival on 29th April, 2021. The fest organized on the occasion World Dance Day strives to amplify and nurture talented dancers throughout the nation. Due to the pandemic it was a Virtual Fest. Nrityanjali is dedicated to celebrate the cultural diversity through various Indian dance forms, classical and folk. Inauguration of the annual dance event took place fittingly on International Dance Day. Rev. Dr Augustine George, Principal, Kristu Jayanti College presided over the inaugural ceremony.

The Chief Guest this year was the renowned and accomplished Guru Sri Mysore B Nagaraj, a maven of the spectacular art form of Kathak. In his inaugural speech, he promoted dance as an asset even as just an extracurricular, especially the Classical Indian forms of dance as it pushes one to go beyond existing boundaries and grow to the best of their capabilities, using its intricate techniques to shape an individual's confidence and health, both psychological and physiological.

This year Nrityanjali had competitions in eight different categories; Indian classical, Western, Folk, Eastern, Retro were some of the events. All events saw overwhelming participation and enthusiastic audience appreciation of the aesthetics of dance in its various forms. The panel of jury consisted of eminent alumni dance professionals and film actors of the college including Ms.Gayatri Krishna. Nrityanjali saw participation from different states of the nation. The unique virtual dance fest showcased how the art form is inextricably interwoven into the fabric of human life.

Nrityanjali 2020- a salutation to dance…
Dance occupies an important place in the social structure of all human cultures throughout history. Dance is most commonly defined as a way of human expression through movement. This movement has aesthetic and symbolic value, and is acknowledged as dance by performers and observers within a particular culture

Every year, artists from different parts of our country gather in Kristu Jayanti College for Nrityanjali, A salutation to Dance; a festival which celebrates art. The performers are constantly reinventing ways in which they can connect with the audience.

This year the national level dance festival, Nrityanjali was held on 20 February, 2020.

The 12th edition of Nrityanjali enthralled spectators with the spectacular performances, establishing itself as one of the most captivating dance fests on a national level. One just can't take their eyes off the beautiful choreographies which speak for itself, the fest has so far left the audience mesmerized, and has made way to be the most awaited platform for the amazing talents of our country.

The dance fest had competitions in nine different categories pertaining to different genres of dance; Dhol-Khol, Natya nivirtti, Tillana, Rangmach; Nirta Vritti, Taal, Tandav, Natana, Rangmanch Etc. B-boying, Hip Hop, Popping, Locking, Bharatnatyam, Bhangra, folk dance, Theme Dance, Folk and Tribal dances, Bollywood style and what not. Performers were creative and inventive adding freshness to the choreography by improvising various styles of dancing. It was a treat to one's eyes to watch them perform. The participants’ perfection was clearly evident as they had mastered the art of Dance.

The overall winners for this year’s Nrityanjali are St Claret College winning the maximum number of prizes in various categories.

Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous Bengaluru organized a National level inter-collegiate dance festival “Nrityanjali 2019” on 22nd February, 2019. Ms. Usha Kini, Head of Programmes Doordarshan Kendra Bengaluru was the chief guest. “I’m surprised to see the level of enthusiasm in each and every student of Kristu Jayanti. I’m happy to know that classical and folk dance is being promoted through this fest”, said Ms. Usha Kini in her inaugural speech. Ms. Usha extended an invitation to the participants to be a part of a dance reality show ‘Dance Samara Season 2’ which is a part of a Doordarshan production. Fr. Sebastian Elanjikal, Provincial, CMI Kottayam Province, in his presidential address emphasized the importance of Dance in the wellbeing of an individual.

Participants from all over the city and state participated in this dance competition. A total of 149 performers from 33 different colleges participated in Nrityanjali this year. Dance exponents of the city were invited as jury members to judge each dance category

“Dance is a poem in which each movement is a word; it’s learning to dream with your feet.” Mata Hari.

Nrityanjali, the annual inter collegiate dance festival of the college was held on the 3rd February, 2018. The chief guest for the day Chief Guest was Mr. Jayachandran Palazhy, Founder and Artistic Director of Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts. 42 colleges and 256 participants took part in various dance competitions of nrityanjali such as Classical Eastern Solo and Group, Folk, Western Solo and Group, Adaptune, Retro Duet and theme dance.

Nrityanjali, the Annual Inter Collegiate dance festival of the college was held on the 4th of February, 2017. The Chief Guest for the day was Shri.Ramani T Muthuswamy, Former General Manager, City Union Bank. In the inaugural address, Shri.Ramani emphasized the role of arts and culture in the holistic development of students and praised the college for organizing a unique fest as Nrityanjali.

24 colleges and 130 participants took part in various dance competitions of Nrityanjali such as Classical Eastern Solo and Group, Folk,, Western Solo and Group, Adaptune, Retro Duet and theme dance.

Nrityanjali, the annual inter collegiate dance festival of the college was held on the 20th of February, 2016. The chief guest for the day was Ms. Sindu Loknath, emerging sandalwood actress. In the inaugural address she, emphasized on the importance of extracurricular activities as a support to academics and praised the college for organizing a unique fest as Nrityanjali.

27 colleges and 300 participants took part in various dance competitions of Nrityanjali such as Classical, Eastern Solo and Eastern Group, Folk, Western Solo and Group, Adaptune, Retro Duet and theme dance judged by a panel of renowned dance gurus Shri.Midhun Shyam, Miss. Bharaty, Ms. Varna Sampath, Mr.Praveen Jaikar, Mr Xavier Prasad and Ms. June Valentine.