The Celestial Dancers: Manipuri Dance on Australian Stage charts the momentous journey of the popularization of Manipur’s Hindu dances in Australia. Tradition has it that the people of Manipur, a northeastern state of India, are descended from the celestial gandharvas, dance and music blessed among them as a God’s gift. The intricately symbolic Hindu dances of Manipur in their original religious forms were virtually unseen and unknown outside India until an Australian impresario, Louise Lightfoot, brought them to the stage in the 1950s. Her experimental changes through a pioneering collaboration with dancers Rajkumar Priyagopal Singh and Ibetombi Devi modernized Manipuri dance for presentation on a global stage. This partnership moved Manipur’s Hindu dances from the sphere of ritualistic temple practice to a formalized stage art abroad. Amit Sarwal chronicles how this movement, as in the case of other prominent Indian classical dances and dancers, enabled both Manipuri dance and dancers to gain recognition worldwide. This book is ideal for anyone with an interest in Hindu temple dance, Manipur dance, cross-cultural collaborations and the globalizing of Indian Classical Dance. The Celestial Dancers is a comprehensive study of how an exceptional Hindu dance form developed on the global stage.

A distinguished dance critic offers an enchanting introduction to the art of ballet As much as we may enjoy Swan Lake or The Nutcracker, for many of us ballet is a foreign language. It communicates through movement, not words, and its history lies almost entirely abroad -- in Russia, Italy, and France. In Celestial Bodies, dance critic Laura Jacobs makes the foreign familiar, providing a lively, poetic, and uniquely accessible introduction to the world of classical dance. Combining history, interviews with dancers, technical definitions, descriptions of performances, and personal stories, Jacobs offers an intimate and passionate guide to watching ballet and understanding the central elements of choreography. Beautifully written and elegantly illustrated with original drawings, Celestial Bodies is essential reading for all lovers of this magnificent art form.

Enter the enchanting realm of 'The Moonbeam Ballet,' a captivating children's book set in a magical land where trees whisper secrets, animals speak in hushed tones, and flowers glow softly. In this heartwarming tale, readers are transported to an enchanted forest's clearing where the Moonbeam Ballet unfolds its celestial dance every full moon. Join the captivating journey as readers explore the shimmering stage illuminated by moonlight, creating a magical spectacle for celestial dancers. Perfect for young minds eager for imaginative adventures, 'The Moonbeam Ballet' combines magic and nature in a mesmerizing story that will enchant and inspire. With vibrant illustrations and engaging storytelling, this book promises to illuminate young minds and ignite their imaginations. Dive into the enchantment of 'The Moonbeam Ballet' and order your copy today to embark on a magical journey through the celestial dance of the moonbeams!

Padma Venkatraman’s inspiring story of a young girl’s struggle to regain her passion and find a new peace is told lyrically through verse that captures the beauty and mystery of India and the ancient bharatanatyam dance form. This is a stunning novel about spiritual awakening, the power of art, and above all, the courage and resilience of the human spirit. Veda, a classical dance prodigy in India, lives and breathes dance—so when an accident leaves her a below-knee amputee, her dreams are shattered. For a girl who’s grown used to receiving applause for her dance prowess and flexibility, adjusting to a prosthetic leg is painful and humbling. But Veda refuses to let her disability rob her of her dreams, and she starts all over again, taking beginner classes with the youngest dancers. Then Veda meets Govinda, a young man who approaches dance as a spiritual pursuit. As their relationship deepens, Veda reconnects with the world around her, and begins to discover who she is and what dance truly means to her.

Embark on a whimsical journey with "Sunshine and the Lost Star," a captivating children's book filled with magic, friendship, and the wonders of nature. Join Sunshine, a radiant star, as it sets out on a celestial adventure to find its lost companion. Through enchanted forests, magical meadows, and cosmic clearings, Sunshine discovers the secrets of the universe with the help of newfound friends—a talking owl, friendly clouds, and luminescent fish.In "Sunshine and the Lost Star," children aged 3-8 will be enchanted by the vivid storytelling and mesmerizing illustrations that bring the cosmic world to life. This heartwarming tale not only sparks imagination but also imparts valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and the interconnected beauty of the universe. Perfect for bedtime or daytime reading, this book promises to transport young readers to a magical realm where smiles light up the sky, and dreams take flight.Get ready for a celestial journey full of joy, laughter, and the boundless magic of a child's imagination. "Sunshine and the Lost Star" is not just a story; it's an exploration of cosmic wonders that will leave young hearts beaming with delight.

Enter the enchanting world of Starry Wishes and Moonlit Dreams, an engaging children's book that takes young readers on a magical journey through the wonders of the night. Join our young dream weavers as they explore mystical meadows, dance with fireflies, and embark on moonlit adventures. Each chapter unfolds a new realm of the imagination, weaving together the magic of bedtime and the beauty of the natural world. This whimsical picture book, filled with vibrant illustrations, sparks the imagination of children aged 3 to 8, offering a delightful mix of fantasy and bedtime comfort. From the bright constellations to the soft whispers of the night, "Starry Dreams and Moonlit Dreams" promises to become a cherished part of any bedtime routine. Discover the joy of celestial ballets, cosmic pirouettes and the promise of dreams that linger beneath the moonlit sky. This heartwarming story is perfect for parents and caregivers looking for a magical and imaginative bedtime experience. Let the moonlight guide you into a world where dreams come alive and the night promises endless adventures. Embrace the warmth of "Good Morning Sun" as a joyful end to the night, ushering in a new day full of endless possibilities. With themes of imagination, nature and the beauty of dreams, this book is an ideal addition to children's literature that will be cherished for years to come.

Delo je v izvirniku pod naslovom Zvezdne poti in plesne sledi: Od Platona do romarskega vrtca izdalo Slovensko etnološko društvo leta 2021. Skozi sistematično zasnovana poglavja avtor bralca opremlja z znanji, ki so nujna za umeščanje pojava v kulturno-zgodovinske prostore. Opozarja ga na spreminjajoče se filozofske, moralne, etične, verske in druge predispozicije, ki so vplivale in tudi danes vplivajo na v raziskavi izpostavljene pojave. Da bi odgovoril na zastavljeno vprašanje, avtor zastavi širok zgodovinski prostor, in sicer od razumevanja antične tradicije ter ključnih antičnih filozofskih paradigem, prek zgodnjega krščanstva, do filozofskih in verskih dogem srednjega in novega veka. Upošteva tiste ključne miselne premise, ki so zaznamovale vsakokratna razumevanja plesnih vedênj v odnosu do pojmov, kot so sakralni prostor, sakralna vsebina, telo, gib … Monografija bralcu ponuja do zdaj nepoznane in še neinterpretirane referenčne literaturo, vire in podatke ter jih postavlja v širok okvir večdisciplinarnih razlag pojavov. Avtor je zanimanje iz polja svojih domicilnih ved, etnologije in kulturne antropologije, razširil na splošno zgodovino, zgodovino plesa, filozofijo, zgodovino glasbe in cerkve, teologijo in mitologijo. Gre za lucidno, kritično, teoretsko, metodološko in vsebinsko znanstveno utemeljeno delo o zgodovini umeščanja giba/plesa v kontekst sakralnega.

This unique work is an annotated collection and collation of Western writing on Indian dance from the period of Marco Polo’s travels to India to the formulation of the anti-devadasi bill in 1930, and a little beyond. The book reproduces more than 250 extracts from important texts, which provide examples of how dance in India was perceived as an art, as well its position in the broader cultural, religious, social, and ethical environment. Though some excerpts from these texts are cited in other writings on Indian dance history, there is no other available work that reproduces such a large number of historical writings on Indian dance and places them in a fluid historical context.