"My name is Vina Ladwa. I'm the artistic director of Manushi."
Vina says Manushi all started nine years ago. "1996 is when we launched Manushi. We decided that we needed something like this in Nottingham." "We used to dance for many, many communities and projects around the UK but we didn't have a name. Manushi is made up of dancers from Asian and non-Asian backgrounds... this is why we decided to call it Manushi as it means 'humanity'." Manushi is a classical Asian dance company. "There are classical forms of Asian dance. I specialise in Kathak."
 | | Vina educating local school children |
Kathak dance is the most prominent style of North Indian classical dance. It tells stories through movement with bare feet and ankle bells. "Anyone is welcome... classical dance is for everyone. People think that it is mainly for Indian people but it isn't." "We have fifteen or sixteen dancers who are very professional and are taking exams in the Kathak style. Two have started teaching in Nottingham. My classes take place in Nottingham at the Kala Niketan Hindi School on Carlton Road (The Hindu Temple & Community Centre, 215 Carlton Road, Carlton)." "We've performed nationally and internationally... in India and Canada." Vina's dance company is now putting on "Ramayana" dance drama at the Arts Theatre in Nottingham. "It has been very hard work but it's very rewarding. There'll be multi-media projections and the cast of 45 from the age of 6 to 48." Ramayana is a Diwali story. It's a great celebration that marks the coronation of Rama and the victory of good over evil. The performance is taking place on the Tuesday, 25th and Thursday, 27th October 2005 @ the Arts Theatre, George Street, Hockley, Nottingham. For more information...
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