Essence of Life is a performing art group based in Bangalore, established by Dega Deva Kumar Reddy in 2012 to promote teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti.
Essence of Life is a synergy of five Indian classical dance forms - Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak and Mohiniyattam. The group organized several dance performances across India in the past decade.
Naming The name "Essence of Life" is inspired from Jiddu Krishnamurti's quote "Meditation is not a separate thing from life; it is the very essence of life, the very essence of daily living".
Philosophy Inspired by Jiddu Krishnamurti's teachings, Dega Deva Kumar Reddy conceptualized and produced 'Essence of Life'. The dance form is based on basic human problems and emotions that Jiddu Krishnamurti often addressed in his talks and books - fear, suffering, jealousy, violence, hurt, love and death.
Prominent artists from established music and dance traditions across India came together to communicate Krishnamurti's teachings through Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak and Mohiniyattam.
Theme Art of Meditation Dhyanasya Amukham - Introduction to Meditation Dhyanasya Puravrttam - Myths of Meditation Katham Jaagriti Jaayate - How does awareness come about Dhyana kala - The art of meditation Dhyanaartha kim yatharta maunam - What is true silence which leads to meditation
Essence of Life Manovignaanam - Understanding our mind Bhayaatah svatantramah - Freedom from fear Samsayaa vina saadhyam kim jeevanam - Can we live without problem Kim saadyam pumsaam parivarthanam - Can human being change Rather saundaryam - Beauty of love
Finale Thillana - Freedom from self
Dance form Dance form | Ragam Bharatanatyam - Charukesi Kuchipudi - Surya & Huseni Kouns Kathak - Madhumad Sarang Odissi - Mishra Lavangi Mohiniyattam - Madhumad Sar
Artists and Musicians
Concept Dega Deva Kumar Reddy, Conceptualized and produced B Aruna Sivarama Krishna, Conceptual designer and music composer Dr Thiagarajan, Sanskrit translation
Dancers Smitha Madhav - Bharatanatyam Prateeksha Kashi - Kuchipudi Achuta Manasa – Kathak Pali Chandra - Kathak Masako Ono – Odissi Rashmi Menon – Mohiniyattam
Vocals Padma Vibhushan Hariharan Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar Pt. Raghunandan Panshikar, Lalitha Sharma Sooraj Santhosh, Saindhavi Varijashree Venugopal, Sangeetha
Instrumental Ustad Murad Ali Khan - Sarangi Bhuto & BV Balasai - Flute BV Raghavendra Rao - Violin Allam Durga Prasad - Gottuvadhyam Bhavani Prasad - Veena B Sivarama Krishna - Sitar Sarang - Sarod Balesh - Shehnai Shrikanth - Hawaii Guitar (Steel guitar) DA Srinivas - Mridangam Kesavan - Chanda, Idakka & Maddalam Venkatesh & B Ganesh Rao - Tabla Omkar & Jagadeesh - Pakhavaj Chandra Sekhar - Pakhavaj Manjunath - Percussion instrument DA Srinivas & Kesavan - Jathi Manjunath & Jagdeesh - Bhols
References
External links Essence of Life website