About
The Samarpana School of Indian Fine Arts was established in 2009 by qualified husband and wife dancers, Chidambaram R. Suresh and Shobana Suresh. The school offers classes in Bharathanatyam and Nattuvangam, in Blacktown and Pendle Hill. The Samarpana School offers three levels of training in Bharathanatyam, Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced and follows its own syllabus. Students are given certificates of recognition after successfully completing each level of training. Students in the advanced level also learn choreography skills, and are given opportunities to present their own piece.
Our Mission
It is our aim to train students to become confident and skilled dancers and choreographers in the classical dance form of Bharathanatyam. At Samarpana, we give scope for innovative ideas while preserving the ancient traditions of the art form. The students at Samarpana not only learn the intricacies of the dance, but also learn to appreciate its aesthetic beauty and to value the rich heritage of this art form.
Directors/Teachers
Suresh is a multi-talented artist, who began his dance training under the tutelage of 'Kalaimamani', Dr. Uma Anand, the daughter and disciple of well-known composer and Nattuvanar, 'Padmashri' K.N. Dhandayuthapani Pillai. Suresh holds a first class diploma in Bharathanatyam and Nattuvangam and also a Bachelor's degree in Bharathanatyam from The Annamalai University in Chidambaram, India.
Suresh further trained in the Kalakshetra style of Bharathanatyam, under 'Padmabhushan' Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar.
Suresh was a sought-after Nattuvanar in India, and has provided nattuvangam support for many distinguished dancers, including 'Kalaimamani' Sri Kala Bharath, Smt. Nandini Ramani, Sushma Ranganathan and Aniruddha Knight (Grandson of the legendary dancer, Balasaraswathy).
During the December season concerts in Chennai, Suresh received commendable reviews for his excellent sense of rhythm, crisp nattuvangam and his powerful execution of the jathis. He was also granted a scholarship in Nattuvangam by The Sangeet Natak Academy, of the Central Government of India.
Suresh has further demonstrated his rhythmic talents as a self-taught morsing player. Along with his dance performances, he has also presented various Mridangam and Morsing concerts in India.
In Australia, he continues to excel in the art of Bharthanatyam, not only by performing and teaching, but also as a choreographer and composer. Suresh has composed a number of songs for Bharathanatyam, especially in unique thalams (rhythm patterns).
Shobana endeavoured into dancing at the very young age of five under Mrs. Sivananthy Haridharshan in Sri Lanka. She continued learning Bharathanatyam after migrating to Australia, and completed her Arangetram (debut recital) in 2004, under the guidance of Dhamayanthi Balaraju.
In 2006, Shobana took her passion a step further and travelled to India to study Bharathantyam at a professional level. She trained under the guidance of Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar, while obtaining her Bachelor of Dance degree from Annamalai Unviersity. She had performed in many popular dance festivals and events, touring all over India. While her reputation grew as a solo dancer she also worked in many popular dance companies in Chennai, including The Anusham Dance Group. She also performed as a freelance dancer for productions presented by 'Kalaimamani' Srekala Bharath, including her acclaimed dance drama, "Abhirami Arul."
Shobana continues to perform and impart the traditions of Bharathanatyam, as she learnt from her guru, to her students in Australia.
Shobana and Suresh have performed together in many platforms, including:
- The Natyanjali festivals, Chidambaram, Thanjavur, and Thiruvarur.
- The Dance Ballet, 'Ashoka' - Hyderabad, 2009.
- The Annamaya Festival, in Hyderabad 2009 (A Guinness world record event for the largest choir)
- The annual Chennai Sangamam Festival, 2009 (organised by the Tamil Nadu Government)
- Ananda Koothan (their first production) - Sydney, 2010.
- Performed at the Tamil Trinity Festival, 2011 & 2012 in Melbourne.
- Sydney Music Festival 2012 - Performed & choreographed for "Kathirkama Kuravanji"
- "Countdown Live" (a mini production) at Parramasala, 2013
- "Sivakamiyin Sabatham" (Madurai R. Muralidharan's dance drama) presented at the Sydney Music Festival 2014.