Eastern Dance Workshop Date: 12 November 2024
Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy successfully hosted an engaging *Eastern Dance Workshop* on November 12, 2024, led by acclaimed Eastern dancer, choreographer, and documentary filmmaker, Mr. Vishnu Vijayan. Held at the Kristu Jayanti College Training Hall, the workshop provided 47 eager participants with hands-on training in the dynamic world of Eastern dance. Under the guidance of faculty members Dr. Nishitha, Ms. Sreedevi VK, Mr. Karthik Manoharan, and Ms. Srilakshmi MP, students immersed themselves in rhythm and movement, gaining not only new dance skills but also an unforgettable experience. The event was a day filled with energy, learning, and artistic inspiration, leaving students enthusiastic and motivated.

Western Dance Workshop Date: 11 November 2024
The Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy successfully hosted an engaging Western Dance Workshop on November 11, 2024, led by the talented Mr. Harish Karthik, a renowned Western dancer and choreographer. Held in the college's Training Hall, the workshop offered 38 enthusiastic students an exciting day of learning and dynamic dance training. Under the guidance of faculty in charge—Dr. Nishitha, Ms. Sreedevi VK, Mr. Karthik Manoharan, and Ms. Srilakshmi MP—participants embraced the rhythm and energy of Western dance, leaving inspired and invigorated. This workshop was an enriching experience that brought joy and skill-building in equal measure to all attendees.

Performance at First Annual South Korea Conclave, National Institute of Advanced Studies Date: 17 October 2024
The students of Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy (KJDA) captivated the audience at the National Institute of Advanced Studies' first annual South Korea Conclave with a spectacular showcase of diverse dance performances as part of the cultural evening on the 17th of October 2024. The event opened with Team 1, the KJDA Classical Team, presenting "Ardhanarishvara – A Divine Dance Tribute" in the classical Bharatanatyam style, portraying the cosmic balance of Purusha and Prakriti through precise footwork and intricate mudras. Team 2, the KJDA Eastern Team, followed with a vibrant fusion of semi-classical and contemporary dance, performing to "Kahe Kaana" and "Paraney," blending devotion and an upbeat celebration of life. Next, Team 3, the KJDA Folk Team, brought the vibrant spirit of Navratri to the stage with an electrifying Dandiya-Garba fusion to the tunes of "Jume Re Gori" and "Nagada Sang Dhol." The energy continued as Team 4, the KJDA Western Team, delivered a high-energy K-Pop dance fusion, inspired by BTS, Blackpink, and EXO, bringing synchronized moves and trendy style to life. The performances also included a unique fusion piece, "Parasiva" by Team 5, blending classical forms to Raghu Dixit's soul-stirring composition, "Kandena, Kandeparasivana." The evening culminated with Team 6, the KJDA Eastern Team, presenting "Polika," a mesmerizing blend of Kalari and contemporary dance, embodying strength and grace as they told the story of Polika's awakening. The cultural evening was a true celebration of artistic diversity, leaving the audience in awe.

KJDA performance at CMI, Education Summit, Christ University, Kengeri Campus Date: 12 October 2024
At the CMI Educational Summit on October 12, 2024, at Christ University, the students of the Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy (KJDA) left the audience spellbound with their diverse and powerful performances. The classical segment, "Ardhanarishvara – A Divine Dance Tribute," showcased the elegance of Bharatanatyam, with dancers embodying the harmonious union of Purusha and Prakriti through precise footwork, intricate mudras, and expressive abhinaya. The folk dance performance brought the vibrant energy of Navratri to the stage as KJDA's talented girls electrified the audience with their Dandiya-Garba fusion to popular tracks like "Jume Re Gori" and "Nagada Sang Dhol." Their synchronized stick movements and energetic footwork celebrated the lively spirit of Gujarat. Rounding off the showcase, Team Eastern presented "Polika," a mesmerizing performance blending the ancient strength of Kalari with contemporary flair and classical grace. The dancers brought to life the whispers of a young, bold Polika, awakening in a dramatic fusion of tradition and modernity. Each performance captured the rich diversity of Indian dance, leaving an unforgettable impression on the summit's attendees.

Navaratri Raas: Dandiya Eve Date: 10 October 2024
The Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy organized the Navaratri Raas: Dandiya Eve on October 10, 2024, an event that brought together the vibrant spirit of Navaratri with the energetic traditional dance form of Dandiya. The event witnessed an overwhelming response with 1,700 students registering to participate. The evening was a lively celebration of culture, dance, and unity as students, dressed in colourful traditional attire, came together to perform the Dandiya Raas in the college's quadrangle. The event was inaugurated by Rev Fr. Dr. Augustin George, who spoke about the significance of Navaratri and the role of dance in celebrating cultural heritage. The event was organized and overseen by a dedicated team of faculty members, including Dr. Nishitha, Ms. Sreedevi VK, Ms. Srilakshmi MP, and Mr. Karthik Manoharan, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants. With music, lights, and the rhythmic beat of Dandiya sticks, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. The event also featured live music performances that elevated the energy and enthusiasm of the students. The evening concluded with prizes awarded for the best-dressed participants and best Dandiya performers, making it a memorable celebration of tradition and togetherness.

KJDA at Janapada Loka Date: 09 October 2024
On 9th October 2024, the Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy organized an experiential visit titled "Rhythms of Heritage" to two culturally significant sites – Somnathpur Temple and Janapada Loka. A total of 47 students from KJDA participated in this enriching field trip. The visit was led by Professor Sreedevi VK and Professor Srilakshmi MP, who served as faculty in-charge. The visit aimed to offer students an immersive experience of Karnataka's architectural and folk heritage. At Somnathpur Temple, known for its intricate Hoysala architecture, students had the opportunity to closely observe the carvings, many of which depict scenes from Indian epics. The temple’s symmetrical and detailed sculptures provided a practical insight into the historical connection between art, culture, and architecture. This setting allowed students to appreciate how dance and sculpture have co-existed in Indian tradition, particularly in temple art. At Janapada Loka, students engaged with various folk arts and crafts of Karnataka. The museum’s extensive collection of artifacts, costumes, musical instruments, and puppets offered a hands-on learning experience about the region’s rich folk heritage. This visit allowed the students to explore the roots of traditional folk forms that inspire and enrich classical dance performances.

“Rhythms of Heritage” Experiential Visit Somanthpur Temple and Janapada Loka KJDA at Somanathapura Temple

Performance at Innoverge 24, Shangri-la Hotel, Vasanthnagar Date: 05 September 2024
The Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy proudly represented our institution at INNOVERGE 24, held at Shangri-La Hotel, Vasanthnagar, on 05/09/2024. The event provided an excellent platform for our students to showcase their dedication and passion for dance in a prestigious setting. Our team delivered two outstanding performances in the Eastern genres, captivating the audience with their grace, energy, and precise choreography. The performances were a blend of tradition and innovation, highlighting the artistic prowess and versatility of our students. Participating in INNOVERGE 24 was a remarkable achievement for the academy, and it reflected the commitment of both the students and their mentors to excellence in the performing arts. Their performances not only added to the event's success but also served as a proud representation of the cultural values upheld by Kristu Jayanti College. Their incredible effort and dedication made this event a memorable experience, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and participants.

KJDA Auditions for Classical, Eastern, Western and Folk Dance Date: 19 to 21 August 2024
Classical and Folk Dance Auditions conducted at Training Hall, Admin Block
The Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy held auditions from August 19th to 21st, 2024, to identify and select talented students for their academy. The auditions spanned three consecutive days, with each day dedicated to a specific dance genre. On August 19th, students auditioned for Classical and Folk dance, on August 20th, Eastern dance styles were showcased, and on August 21st, Western genres took the spotlight. The auditions were held in the evening, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM, across the Training Hall and A1 Auditorium simultaneously.

The panel of faculty overseeing the auditions included Dr. Nishitha, Prof. Sreedevi V. K., Prof. Srilakshmi M.P., and Prof. Karthik Manoharan. Numerous eager participants registered for the event through Google forms circulated via email. The auditions provided students with a platform to demonstrate their dance abilities and earn a spot in the academy. The most outstanding dancers were selected to join the core team, where they will receive advanced training to refine their skills. These dancers will represent the academy and college in upcoming prestigious events and competitions.

KJDA Audition Promo for Classical, Eastern, Western and Folk Dance The promotion for KJDA Auditions, representing classical, eastern, and western dancers, the active members of the academy from the previous year teams.

Training sessions on Dollu Kunitha KJDA faculty-coordinators. An expert folk artist was hired to train the students in this form of purest folk dance. The strenuous training sessions helped the students to achieve the set goals. Their presentation of Karnataka Folk dances at college Ethnic day 2023 was well appreciated. The students participated in the BNU festival and won the first prize. The team will represent Bangalore North University in the South East Zone Youth Festival to be held in Feb 2024.

Silver Jubilee Celebrations The cultural program began right after the formal inauguration ceremony with the distinguished guests. The invocation dance by the faculties of KJDA was the first presentation. Ms. Ranjani, the faculty from Performing Arts, Ms. Sreedevi, Faculty from Media Studies Dept, Ms. Devi from the dept of Forensic Science and Dr Nishitha from the dept of English were part of this presentation. The dancers offered flowers on stage and welcomed the gathering. The second dance was a confluence of different Indian classical dances, presented by the students of Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy. The dancers brought on stage the authentic dance styles such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, kathak and Satthriya. Total 19 students were part of this presentation. The thematic Eastern Dance was presented immediately after the classical extravaganza and 16 students participated in this. The highlight of the program was the presentation of Bamboo Dance of Mizoram. Total 16 students from Mizoram presented their traditional dance form on stage. The final presentation was Kamsale, a folk dance form of Karnataka. The students were given the training for learning this folk dance form prior to the show. There were 18 participants in this presentation, out of which 4 artists were the accompanists and the remaining were dancers.

NRITYADARPAN-’24 Nrityadarpan-2024 organised by KJDA turned out to be a spectacular dance concert. The theme of Nrityadarpan-‘24 was “Around the world.” The variety of dance forms were included in the concert. The secretary of KJDA, Ms. Navya Warrier welcomed the gathering. Ajay Krishna C and Agha hosted the show. The opening dance was Sufi with the classic and mellifluous movements of dancers. The second dance was Faqiri, a dance form practiced in Pakistan. Here the dancers weave a story of people by using St Kabir’s song. The third dance form that stunned the audience was Flamenco. This was followed by Salsa and Afro. After these the folk dance form of Karnataka – Dollu Kunita was performed by the students who had represented our college and Bangalore North University in the South East Zonal youth festival held by AIU. The next piece, Hip-Hop dance form, represented the usual street dance culture. The last performance was mesmerizing as the dancers concluded with Tango dance. The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Nathanael, the secretary of KJDA. The program winded up with the appreciative words of Rev. Fr. Dr Augustine George, Principal, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous.

Training sessions on Eastern Dance An expert choreographer has been invited to the campus with the approval of the management. The training sessions started on 9 Jan 2024. The students have been learning the choreography with enthusiasm. During the 45-hour Eastern dance training at Kristu Jayanti College, participants delved into the rich tapestry of Indian Dance. Seasoned instructor guided students through intricate hand gestures, footwork, and expressions, fostering an appreciation for the cultural heritage embedded in Eastern dance. The training not only honed technical skills but also instilled a deeper understanding of the historical and artistic dimensions of the dance form. The target of winning prizes and over all trophies at the intercollegiate fests has been met through their successful performances. The team has won prizes in fests conducted by Mount Carmel College and Jyoti Nivas College.

Christmas Celebrations Christmas celebration is one such event that cherishes the good memories, joy of giving, sharing and happiness. The cultural program for the Christmas celebration was named ‘Christmas Spectacular-2023.’ The students from School of Management MBA and Kristu Jayanti College of Law were trained by the KJDA faculties for the dance performance based on the theatrical presentation set for the choir team. The performance was appreciated by the audience, the management and the college fraternity.

Dance Auditions Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy conducted dance auditions from 21st of August to 25th of August to select talented students to be a part of the dance academy. The auditions were conducted for four days and students were selected. Teachers in charge were Prof. Ranjani S, Prof. Sreedevi V K, Dr. Nishitha. Prof. Devi and Prof. Himani and Dr. Reenu devoted their time and energy to help us in selecting the students. This was a fruitful session as students were chosen to be the dance academy.

Training in Western Dance The beneficiaries of this training session were the students chosen from the auditions conducted for the selection of Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy members during the month of August. The performance of students and level of training required was gauged during the auditions by the concerned KJDA faculties. To ensure the best of training sessions the external choreographers were invited to the campus. The choreographers – Sushan Kanchan and Pranesh Gokul – have been training the students to bring out the best in them. The two training sessions have been completed in November. Due to the commencement of end semester exams, the students were asked to take a gap to pursue their academic journey. The remaining sessions will be resumed from January.

Training Kristu Jayanti CMI Public School students The dancers from KJDA were assigned with the dance training sessions for CMI school students. The objective of training them up in different classical dance varieties was to help them in choreography and execution of steps for their school annual day performances. KJDA students taught eighteen varieties of dances to the school students.