Testimonials from the Press and Public

From the Press

Times Of India 11.05.86. 
"This young dancer has a flair for innovation within the conventional domains and is sure to go places of course with opportunities and experience".

"Artistic Achievement" - The Hindu – 07/18/1986    (On Prasanna's 24-hours Marathon recital )
It was a case of sheer spirit and enthusiasm. The 24 hours Marathon Bharathanatyam recital by young collegian KR.S.Prasanna of Shanthala Arts Academy at the Gokhale Institute, Malleswaram, was the first of its kind here. It does K.R.S.Prasanna proud as a choreographer or dancer but also as an original thinker as exposed in the way he planned and presented more than 80 items during 24 hours ......

Art, technique and involvement of the artiste go into make a successful performance. Prasanna's recital was a confluence of all these essentials of Bharathanatyam recital. He displayed his physical abilities which blended effortlessly with the poetic metaphors of the Natya Shastra and contemporary sensibilities ..

"Prasanna Glides" - 'Veena' - Times of India –7/ 8/1988
Prasanna's Kavya Kinkini was a refreshing welcoming change in the Bharathanatyam style, he presented Kannada classics and the modern poetry with a charming elegance.

THE HINDU – 05/06/1994  M Surya Prasad. A Talented dancer K R S Prasanna did well to present the theme of Astha Nayakas in “Shrungaara Nayakam” -

Translated from Prajavani 07/14/96
Pulikeshi and Sushma are a unique brother-sister duo. Their uniqueness being in selecting new items to dance.

THE TIMES OF INDIA – 11/07/1997 .

A dance drama in the true Natya Mould.

 

A SPECIAL REPORT – THE TIMES OF INDIA – 03/30/1997 .

Classical and folk center brings dance to the masses.

 

THE HINDU 02/07/1997 M Surya Prasad. 

The dance drama had various aspects of Bharathanatyam……..the props were appropriate…..the nruthya and abhinaya were the shining aspects -.

St.Louis Post dispatch 11/05/2000
Its (Soorya Dance Company) lofty goal has been to enrich the cultural diversity and the artistic excellence in greater St.Louis area.

THE RIVERFRONT TIMES, ST.LOUIS OCT 4-11 2000 .

“Avataara” touches on themes from Hindu mythology, including that of the supreme force Parabrahman rising to quash injustice and evil.

Times of India Special report 02/01/2002  
Movements that epitomize grace - A performance to be remembered.

"Eloquent Tale of Ekalavya"  - The Hindu - Friday , 01/09/2004
" the Kasthuri Brothers - K.R.S.Prasanna, and K.R.V.Pulikeshi, dazzled in a dance drama woven around the mythological tale of Ekalavya in Mahabharatha... The unfolding of the story was based on Kuvempu's drama Beral ge Koral, as a tribute to the poet-playwright whose birth centenary is being celebrated throughout the state...The adaptation of the play to dance was rewarding ... Prasanna, who had major share in the performance, was at home in every aspect of Bharathanatyam...Pulikeshi excelled in the abhinaya portion ... There was an admirable harmony and co-ordination in their movements ..."

From the Public

People called him Dhananjayan of Karnataka.

-VPDhananjayan Well known dancer after watching Anubhava Mantapa San Antonio .

 

Sushma's choreography was outstanding. She has an amazing geometrical sense and she presents it excellently on stage during group compositions.

Nirupama & Rajendra - Well known dancer couple from Bangalore .

 

The performance as a whole, was superb, so were the performers.
Mihir Chaudhuri Mid America Bengali Association BangaMela 2000 St.Louis.

 

When we saw Sushma’s dance group perform “Vishwa Darshana”, it was like we saw the actual Vishwa Darshana of Lord Vishnu Himself.

Vice President, International Society of Krishna Consciousness. Feb 2002.

The Bharata Natyam at the Bridgewater Temple  was a pleasure and honor to attend.

It was a wonderful compliment to the Devi Navaratri.

Yati Sivam, Classical Yoga Hindu Academy   Manahawkin NJ

 

At times I got the impression that the dancer was looking directly at me. This was especially true with Sushma’s dance. I imagine that everyone in the audience experiences the same thing when viewing a particularly talented artist. really enjoyed your dance.

Mark Boriek, Principal Fisheries Biologist NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife Lebanon NJ

 

Sushma Mohan was truly a joy to work with. I have gotten a slew of phone calls from the public asking for pictures and contact info. I have never worked with a group that I feel better about recommending.

Gale Yallop, Librarian Brick Library, Ocean NJ

 

Prasanna is a wonderful choreographer, a musician and a dancer. He along with his group of talented dancers deserves all our applause.

Guru Dhananajayan, National dance Conference, San Antonio, 07/20/03 .

 

If there’s one dancer who can dance and hoist that spirit in every one to dance irrespective of their age it has to be Prasanna.

Dr. Rajam Ramamurthy, San Antonio (On presenting the Natya Award to Prasanna) , 07/20/03 .           

 

We have never seen such a wonderful Indian dance performance so far.

Audience at the Somerset County Asian American Heritage Dance Festival, New Jersey 05/31/03 .

 

Past Performances

 

India

 

bulletSoorya Dance Festival, Kerala. 1990
bullet Alliance Françoise, Pondicherry 1992
bulletAurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry 1992
bulletAnkura Festival, Bangalore 1996
bulletKarnataka Sangeetha Nruthya Academy National festival. Bangalore 1996
bulletMysore Dasara celebrations. 1998
bulletISKCON temple Annual Cultural Celebrations Bangalore . 2001,2002
bulletBrahmotsavam, Tirupathi temple. 2002
bullet Sangeeth Natak Academy national festival, Bangalore 2002
bulletHampi National Festival Nov 2002
bulletRepublic Day Celebrations. Govt of Karnataka Jan 2003
bullet India tour of Beral Ge Koral Jan 2003

 

International

 

bulletPerformances with Lasya Dance Company UK 1990
bulletMidland Arts Centre, BIRMINGHAM UK 1991
bulletTRIBHANG troupe of Prasanna and Pulikeshi with musicians tours Holland , France and USA 1991
bulletSubhadra Parinaya¨ a dance production choreographed by Prasanna is performed under the auspices of Soleie  D’or of Paris , France

MANDAPA center, Paris1993

bulletBharatiya Vidya Bhavan at London 1993
bulletRoyal tropical Institute Netherlands 1993
bulletPerformances with Malathi Iyengar Rangoli Foundation , California 1995
bulletKumbhaabhisheka Mahotsavam at The Hindu Temple , Houston , 1995
bulletKumbhaabhisheka Mahotsavam at The Hindu Temple , St.Louis, 1999.
bullet Banga-Mela St. Louis, 2001
bulletInternational Veera Shaiva sammelana, Columbus Ohio ,2002,
bulletAsian American Dance Festival – New Jersey May 2003
bulletNational  Dance Conference organized by the University of Texas at San Antonio and Arthi School of Dance, July 2003
bulletNational Kannada Conference at Chicago Sept 2003
bulletBharathanatyam performances at the Indian temple at Detroit , Phoenix , Arizona , Dallas , Midland and New Jersey .
bulletDance Performances at Indian Associations at Austin , Texas and Pittsburgh .
bullet"Rhythm in Motion” which raised money to donate some of its proceeds to the artists of New Orleans, who were victims of Katrina, through Regional Arts Commission of St.Louis. Sept 2005.
bulletPerformances for the victims of Tsunami Organized by Art of living
bulletPerformances for children with special needs with TASK (Team Activity for Special Needs).
bulletPresented Indian Classical Dances at Asian Festival (Columbus, Ohio), International Institute's Folk Life Festival, World Fair Festival, St.Louis History Museums, Maryland Heights Festival,  Union Station International Dance festival and Asian American Festival at Brick, New Jersey.
bullet Performance in Newjersey festival