Music of India DVD

Studio: Educational Video Network, Inc
Product Type: DVD

Customer Reviews:

Relax.......2007-01-19

This is not a complicated surfing video. It should be viewed with the intention of relaxing while seeing some nice sights and sounds. That's all.

Great Tunes, great scenes.......2007-01-09

I absolutely love this video and have ordered it for friends. Jack Johnson and the Malloys did a great job with this one. Warning: don't set your expectations too high because this was not made for the critics. These guys are out there having fun. The budget was tight and the whole thing was made using 16mm film. If you are looking for a great video to chill out and relax with, buy this one. There is barely any dialogue, but great tunes by Jack Johnson, G.Love, and many more. A Brokedown Melody is the new video that these guys have released. I highly recommend that one as well. More dialogue and more of a storyline. Also Kelly Slater with great surfing.

Too good.......2006-11-05

If you're a surfer you will truly enjoy this journey. This DVD lives up to all that was said about it. Photography is great. The story is ok too. Most of all it is one of those very enjoyable surf films without all the stupid idiot jerks doing "jackass" sorts of things that some Directors think is what the public want. This is more a classic surf DVD. I really like it.

Boring.......2006-10-22

This DVD was horrible. I didn't know what to expect... but after the first 10 minutes I was thinking... is this it?! What's going on? Where are they? What am I watching? After awhile I clued in that there would be no story and virtually no dialog or commentary... nothing. They don't even tell you where they are?! It's basically a 45 minute music video. And the music, although I like it, doesn't fit with the footage at all. I really don't understand the point of this project. I watched the first 20 minutes uninterrupted and then started fast forwarding. Total waste of time and money. And I am a Jack Johnson fan.

good surf film.......2006-01-03

Nice video from the malloys and jack. Filmed in quite a few different locations..australia(no exact spot was specified), the big island of hawaii, the north show of oahu, indonesia, ireland and tahiti. The directors commentary is worth watching multiple times and the segments with shane dorian and kelly slater are both very good. It was also nice to see ireland in a surf film...somewhere kinda different from the norm.

The photography is really great...shot on a 25 year old 16mm camera, gives it a nice feel..not blurry and not digital looking. Also kinda neat is the bonus footage for holes to heaven, a song jack wrote while filming this project. The great thing is that I bet that quite a few fans of jack's music have no idea he's a great filmmaker and surfer too.

The green board (hobknobber) segment makes more sense also when you watch the commentary also the names of almost all the surfers are told while they are surfing in the commentary...seems as though most of the reviewers here missed that point. The waves are generally pretty average with the only great waves being a couple in ireland and a spot in tahiti that isn't teahupoo but it looks real nearly identical exept it spits way harder(according to the directors). Definitely would reccomend this video to just about anyone that's even considering buying it and for the price it's really a great deal.

Minkus - La Bayadere / Guerin, Hilaire, Platel, Paris Ballet

Average customer rating:

Just Superb
Opulence
Rudolf Nureyev's Last Offering to the World - the exotic "La Bayadere"
Una magnífica producción.
amazing perfection!

Minkus - La Bayadere / Guerin, Hilaire, Platel, Paris Ballet
Starring: Minkus , Isabelle Guerin , Laurent Hilaire , Elisabeth Platel , and Paris Opera Ballet
Director: Nureyev
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000294T5G
Release Date: 2004-07-27

Description

Exotic and mysterious India serves as the backdrop to this story of doomed love between the warrior Solor and the bayadère, Nikiya, who is killed by her jealous rival, Gamzatti. Breathtaking sets and costumes are designed by Ezio Frigerio and Franca Squarciapino in this exceptional production, recorded at the Palais Garnier in Paris. Direction and choreography in this fully restored version of Petipa's original ballet are by Rudolf Nureyev. Stars Isabelle Guérin, Laurent Hilaire, and Élisabeth Platel.

Customer Reviews:

Just Superb.......2006-12-14

It is difficult to understand how other reviewers can have reservations about this performance. The production values are excellent and the dancing is exceptional - sets,costumes and the all-important lighting contribute to a stunning dvd with colour and spectacle and to compare it to the Royal Ballet version is simply pointless.
Asylmuratova looks edgy and unsure in the RB and lacks chemistry with Mukhamedov, who was oddly not his (often) brilliant self, while Dowell hammed the High Brahmin role beyond credibility. Darcy Bussell is a redeeming pleasure but all are saddled with an atmosphere of shabbiness in costumes and sets, while the stage of the ROH looks quite tatty. The contrast is even more marked with the timing of the corps de ballet which is an absolute joy with the Paris Opera company (a result which takes more than a taped stage to achieve) and for anyone considering choosing between the two dvds - there's no contest. This is the one and a wonderful legacy it is from Nureyev.

Opulence.......2006-11-05

Nuryev has gone all out in this production! The lead dancer is amazingly turned-out - great technique. Male lead has good feet. Corps...Wow! Paris Opera Ballet dancers are understated compare to American Ballet Theatre. They have a passion that is a little veiled, but after a few viewings you see that it is just as strong and present - just in a different way, a good way. It is true ballet. Your money will be well spent on this DVD! It is worth every cent!

Rudolf Nureyev's Last Offering to the World - the exotic "La Bayadere".......2005-10-19

"La Bayadere" was first presented at the St. Petersburg Bolshoi Theatre by the Czar's Imperial Ballet (today the Kirov/Mariinsky Ballet) on January 23, 1877. It was the creation of Marius Petipa, the unrivled Maitre de Ballet of the St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet. "La Bayadere" became a classic among the great ballets of the 19th century and a useful vehicle for all the great ballerinas of the day. Petipa revised the ballet in 1884 for the ballerina Anna Johansson, and for the last time in 1900 for the Imperial Prima Ballerina Mathilde Kschessinskaya and for the benefit of the Premiere Danseur Noble Pavel Gerdt. For this 1900 revival Petipa completely refurbished with a new staging and fresh choreography. The ballet lived on for over 25 more years before it fell out of active the repertoire after the revolution. In 1941, the Ballet Master Vladimir Ponomarev and the great Danseur Vakhtang Chabukiani presented a new version of "La Bayadere" based on Petipa's last revival of 1900. It is this version that has lived on to the present day at the Mariinksy Theatre, and that Rudolf Nureyev, the greatest dancer of his generation, learned when he danced there. Interestingly enough "La Bayadere" was the last ballet Nureyev danced with the Kirov/Mariinksy Ballet before he defected from the Soviet Union in 1961 while on tour with the company in France. In 1963 Nureyev staged Petipa's masterful 'Grand Pas Classique' from "La Bayadere" known as "The Kingdom of the Shades". This was the first of many stagings from the Petipa repertoire that Nureyev would go on to stage in the west, but it was not untill 3 months before his death in 1993 that his version of the full-length "La Bayadere" premiered, danced by the Paris Opera Ballet where he had been Artistic Director since 1983.

Nureyev's production of "La Bayadere" is absolutly magnificent. He called upon his close friend Ninel Kurgapkina, former Ballerina and now teacher/coach of the Kirov/Mariinksy Ballet to assist him with the production. Their staging of "La Bayadere" follows the 1941 Soviet revival of Ponomareyev and Chabukiani almost exactly, with changes being very few (among these changes was the revision of dances for the female corps de ballet, along with making the male corps de ballet more prominent).

This production of "La Bayadere" is a lavish dream of the ancient southern Orient seen through 19th century European Eyes. The spectacular decor, designed by Ezio Frigerio, strays far away from the typical painted-backcloth-type sets of most ballet productions and instead, gives the Paris Opera Ballet sets to dance among - the design of the stage decor will take your breath away, as it looks very much like a priceless brazen antique - the wings and the top sides of the stage are decorated with paintings of palm trees and the like, the palace of the Maharajah in Act I/Scene 2 and in Act II pays obvious homage to the Taj Mahal, and it is glorious to see "The Kingdom of the Shades" scene danced in the jungle. The costumes, designed by Franca Squarciapino match the decor absolutly, and in the same regard take inspiration from the Indian Orient. The one thing that spoils the effect of the wonderful decor is the stage floor, which is covered with light gray marley and sealed off with rows of white tape stretching from the footlights on upstage, obviously put there to keep the dancers in perfect rows (as it does - one will never see the Kirov/Mariinky or the Bolshoi in need of such stage markers).

On the DVD liner notes, and in the credits, the music is credited as being re-orchestrated by John Lanchbery (conductor and musical director for the Royal Opera House for many years). In his past productions, Nureyev had called upon Lanchbery to revise/re-orchestrate the scores of Minkus, but unlike Lanchbery's severe revisions of the Minkus scores for Nureyev's revivals of such ballets as "Don Quixote", the "Paquita" Grand pas Classique, as well as Natalia Makarova's stagings of "La Bayadere", he has thankfully only altered a few brief passages - these changes are so minute that one wonders why it was even necessary to have Lanchbery do anything to the score in the first place, as only a person 100% familiar with the original Minkus score inside and out can make out the differences. Thankfully the score of "La Bayadere" is presented here as it Minkus originally orchestrated it (with the exception of the few changes Lanchbery did), a rare treat in the west (most everyone in the ballet world finds the Lanchbery revisions of Minkus's music to be horrific anyway). The scintillating and beautifully melodious music of Minkus sparkles in the hands of the conductor Michel Queval, making the look and feel of the ballet succeed even more. One should never judge Minkus's music for symphonic substance, but instead for its theatrical effectiveness, and even more so for the fact that the music completely accents the movements of classical ballet, and accompanies the dramatic scenes perfectly. (Note - See CD Decca 436 917-2 for the score of "La Bayadere" as re-orchestrated/revised by John Lanchbery for Natalia Makarova's staging for American Ballet Theatre in 1980. This recording is performed by the English Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Richard Bonynge)

For this performance, the leading roles are danced by Isabelle Guerin as Nikiya, Elisabeth Platel as Gamzatti, and Laurent Hilare as Solor. As with most of the ballerinas that have been coming out of the Paris Opera Ballet lately (with the exception of Aurelie Dupont and Emanna Floria of course), the leading danseuses in this film are good, but they are far from being great, and give performances that are very neutral and plain. Isabelle Guerin gives a worthy portrayl of Nikiya in this performance, though her acting is rather cardboard and docile - in the dramatic scenes the woman almost seems indifferent. On the plus side her dancing in the Act I/Scene 1 'Variation of Nikiya', and especially in "The Kingdom of the Shades" is excellent technically (the greatest interpretation on film is without a doubt Altynai Assylmoratova of the Kirov/Mariinksy Ballet as danced in the Royal Ballet film of "La Bayadere"). Elisabeth Platel gives a good portrayl of Gamzatti as a character, but her dancing is very poor - I must say that her variation in the 'Grand Pas Classique' of Act II is absolutly shameful (some reviewers below give her much praise - they either know little about good ballet dancing or they need their eyes checked!). Laurent Hilaire gives a wonderful portrayl of Solor, with strong partnering of both ballerinas and elegant dancing in his variations, not to mention his great entrance in the Grand Procession at the start of Act II atop a pointy-eared elephant on wheels. Wilfred Romoli gives a graceful and elequant performance as the Golden Idol, though he lacks the "pazzaz" one should have when dancing the 'Bazhok' as it is known in Russia, while Sandrine Marache is charming and lovely in the 'Danse Manu' (doing a great job of keeping the water jug balanced on her head). The 3 Shades variations in "The Kingdom of the Shades" scene are perhaps the biggest dissapointment of all in this entire performance. Agnes Letestu, Clotilde Vayer, and Nathalie Rique do the honors here, complete with really stupid smiles on their faces that have absolutly no business among the magnificent courtly opulace of "The Kingdom of the Shades". For some reason what is supposed to be the last variation gets performed first, danced by Agnes Letestu (complete with her ridiculous smile). She does the best job out of the 3, suprising considering her terrible performance in the Paris Opera Ballet's "Paquita" film. Clotilde Vayer dances the next variation (which is really supposed to be the first one) and does an awful, boring job, again with a ridiculous grin on her face. For some reason towards the end of Vayer's variation the camera cuts off her performance and instead gives us a shot of the corps de ballet dancers feet, perhaps because Vayer's arabasque releve-elance's, which are supposed to be traveling on the diagnale but aren't, dont look so good. The last variation (which is supposed to be the second one) is danced by Nathalie Rique. She demonstrates how a ballerina can dance well but have absolutly no spark, and again we have a ridiculously out-of-place smile that warrants a good wack across the face. The Corps de Ballet does well, but its obvious that the rows of tape on the stage floor are responsible for their perfect, straight lines (watch the Kirov/Mariinksy Ballet dance this scene in their film of "La Bayadere", and on another film called "The Kirov Ballet in London" to see true Corps de Ballet perfection un-aided by a taped up stage floor).

This staging of "La Bayadere" is perhaps the greatest version available on film regarding production (sets, costumes, etc.), even more so than Natalia Makarova's sandwiched versions for American Ballet Theatre (in 1980) and for the Royal Ballet (in 1990). In 2001, the Kirov/Mariinksy Ballet (the former Imperial Ballet) presented "La Bayadere" in a reconstruction of Petipa's last revival of 1900. Using the Stepanov choreographic notation and other sources included in the Sergeyev Collection housed at the Harvard University Library and from their own archives, the Kirov/Mariinksy Ballet completely restored the choreography, sets, costumes, and the mime sequences to their original form (one reviewer on this page says that the original choreography of "La Bayadere" is lost, which is not true, as it was notated by Petipa's regisseur Nikolai Sergeyev and his assistants around the time of the Ballet Master's 1900 revival). The original Minkus score was restored from the composer's orignal hand-written manuscript, and what a wonderful masterpeice of ballet music it is. Let us hope that this reconstruction of "La Bayadere" doesnt stay to long from DVD/video, just as the Kirov/Mariinksy Ballet's 1999 reconstruction of the 1890 premiere of "The Sleeping Beauty" has. It would be a great disservice to the world of ballet....but given the ridiculous politics of the current Kirov/Mariinksy Ballet, it is likely niether production will ever find its way to DVD/video. Such a waste.

The Paris Opera Ballet has been releasing quite alot of their repertoire onto DVD over the last few years. I would never go so far as to say that they are the greatest company in the world, but they are exceptional. Unfortunatly many people feel that ballet dancing cant get any better than what they see in these Paris Opera performances - dont ever let good productions and great costumes fool you! If you want to see great ballet dancing, watch American Ballet Theatre, the Royal Ballet, the Bolshoi, and especially the Kirov/Mariinksy Ballet, which is without a doubt the greatest company in the world.

Nureyev's production of "La Bayadere" is more than just a ballet -it was Nureyev's last offering to the world before he passed away in 1993. But aside from that, this production is a resplendant grand spectacle in the tradition of the old 19th century 'Grand Ballets', and it echos the love and passion that Nureyev felt for the art of classical ballet - it is Nureyev's greatest staging of a ballet from the Classical Repertoire, and I think the old Maestro Petipa would have been proud.

Una magnífica producción........2005-09-05

Como es de esperarse de una compañía tan prestigiosa, que tuvo la fortuna de contar con la colaboración del Gran Rudolf Nureyev,y que esta vez nos ofrece una magnífica realización balletística plena de virtuosismo y color. que nos transporta a vivir las emociónes del profundo romantisismo que recrea el libreto ,y que con una espectacular coreografía El Ballet de la Opera de Paris y sus grandes bailarines nos regalan. Es una magnífica adaptación, con ligeras variantes del libreto original. y con un final diferente al montaje que de la misma obra hace Natalia Makarova. El Reino de las Sombras me emociona de sobremanera, y la compañía aporta el talento maravilloso de los mas fieles exponentes de su prestigiosa escuela. Mil gracias.

amazing perfection!.......2005-05-17

The Paris Opera Corps is the best,I just keep asking myself if they are human, they are like clones.
After 5 Bayaredes, this is still the best choice, even if Isabelle Guerin is a little cold faced, (after all, french dancers are not passionate, aren't they?) or perhaps because perfection is cold.
The coreography from Nureyev is beautiful,very dinamic, the sets and costumes are sumptuous, stunning Etoiles and soloist,
Elizabeth Platel is the perfect balance technique and artistry.
This is the glory of BALLET

Music in High Places - India Arie (Live in Brazil)

Average customer rating:

Beautiful, Interactive, and Cheap
excellent
Good music...good vibes.
Cool/Different
Beautiful video, beautiful voice

Music in High Places - India Arie (Live in Brazil)
Starring: India Arie , and India.Arie
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009Q4WE
Release Date: 2003-07-29

Description

Music in High Places, the ultimate international music and travel adventure series, takes top recording artists to the most ancient sites on earth. Each expedition takes music's biggest artists to the four corners of the globe and features exciting acoustic performances set against the backdrop of earth's most intriguing natural locations. Take an intimate journey with India.Arie as she discovers the culture, history and spirituality of Bahia, Brazil! Songs: Always In My Head, I See Good in You, Promises, Beautiful, India#s Song, Video, Strength, Courage & Wisdom.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, Interactive, and Cheap.......2007-06-15

I was determined that this would be a piece of crap for 7 dollars but when i watched this DVD for the first time, i realized it was unlike any other. i was expecting a standard musical perdormance, but like always, India Aire surprises you with a personal and beautiful experience...if you are a devote fan, this is an epic choice.

excellent.......2007-03-13

the DVD is excellen.INdia arie is really a great performer..with heart and sould..she delivers and you won't/can't be dissappointed..

Good music...good vibes........2006-02-25

I am a fan of the entire "Music In High Places" series, so this met my expectations to the fullest.

Watching india.arie perform in these beautiful places is both relaxing and inspiring.

Cool/Different.......2006-02-01

Surprising, showing northeast Brazil, black and poor, not the real Brazil but lovely and different.
Could have more known songs. Good.

Beautiful video, beautiful voice.......2005-12-13

I bought several of the MIHP series, not knowing some of the artists. But I did see India Arie on HDNET and love her voice, and I'm not an R&B fan at all.

Video quality is top notch, as the title is anamorphic. Love the "play music only" features on these. Check out other MIHP titles, especially the Goo goo dolls and Ryan Adams!

Average customer rating:

A Magical Journey
An rare insight into the life of an Indian Music Guru
Pranam Panditji
Can't wait
Perfect DVD

In Portrait (2pc)
Starring: Ravi Shankar
Manufacturer: Opus Arte
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Different Strokes

ASIN: B00007CVSJ
Release Date: 2002-11-19

Description

The first DVD of this set, called "Ravi Shankar -- Between Two Worlds," is the definitive account of India's most celebrated musician and follows two years of Ravi Shankar's life - filmed in India and America - against the backdrop of seven decades of innovative collaboration with Western musicians. Archive footage shows concerts with Zakir Hussain and other key performances filmed from the 1930s to the present day.

The second DVD shows Ravi Shankar live in concert as he performs two ragas (Raga Anandi Kalyan and Raga Rangeela Piloo) in the atmospheric Union Chapel in London, summer 2002, with his daughter Anoushka and tabla virtuosi Bikram Ghosh and Tanmoy Bose.

SPECIAL FEATURES -- "Benares Ghat" Ravi Shankar teaches a new piece, "The Sitar and Indian Music," Illustrated Booklet

Customer Reviews:

A Magical Journey.......2006-03-30

For fans of the Indian classical form, this documentary provides an indispensable and fascinating look inside the life and art of its greatest practitioner, Ravi Shankar. On the occasion of Shankar's 80th birthday in 2000, the filmmakers introduce us not only to his life story but also to his family and his day to day life, to the magical complexities of his native India, to a generous helping of his musings on his music and, on the second disc, to live performances of two ragas. The entire feature clocks in at over three hours, but it never gets boring, and there's no distracting narrator: The filmmakers wisely let the sights and the sounds of Shankar's life and music speak for themselves. And they speak volumes.

An rare insight into the life of an Indian Music Guru.......2005-04-20

The Indian approach to academics, music or religion is so much different from the Western approach that it is very difficult to comprehend this approach for anyone who does not belong to India. It is the way the inner discipline and moral values that find conviction through the physical discipline and ultimately a release through the creative spirit of the disciple.

As the Guru (in Ravi Shankar) rightly puts it through, it is the pain of being able to comprehend a shade of that omniscient but inability to express that through the only medium he knows (the sitar) - that leads to this lifelong struggle for perfection. And that is why no 2 renderings of the same raga is ever the same. It is that attempt to describe that transcendental emotion by breathing life into the immaculate weave of notes which makes this struggle so endearing, so unique, and so divine to the listener. In this struggle one is only competing with his inner self to express his realization to the best of his capabilities. This production is a wonderful testimony (for the Western world) to all the components that go into creating masters such as Ravi Shankar.

However, the 2 ragas that come along with the documentary are definitely not the best pieces that the Pundit has recorded. May be these were chosen to allow Anoushka to come onto the centrestage - which also allows us to see where the father (in Ravi Shankar) might err but the Guru would not. This is another rare side reflected in this documentary - the conflict of the sentiments of a father and a guru. A trained ear would not fail to grasp the diffrences between the same notes coming from the 2 sitars. That is the difference of the emotional depths that back the production the 2 identical notes from 2 different sitars. It is this finesse that marks out the maestro from all the rest.

If the viewer is new to Indian arts, he would do himself a great favour by listening to the duo Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar playing Sindhu Bhairavi where Alla Rakha accompanies them on the tabla. The youthful lilt together with the depths of emotion that stand testimony to the heights achieved by the masters of Indian Classical Music is an all-time treasure for one and all.

Viewed together with a little bit of understanding of the Guru-Shishya relationship this collection is definitely something that should be treasured by any connosieur of Indian arts.

Pranam Panditji.......2004-03-09

I knew there was a reason why I was so excited about this DVD even before I got it. I have already watched it three to four times in so many days. My two year old loves to sit with me and watch it too! I remember going to the concerts in Bombay in the 80's and Panditji always seemed to be playing from Himalayan heights.He seemed to be un approachable to us then. We always had theories about artists who lived in the west.Most of us were known to have (unqualified) OPINIONS! This DVD brings Raviji's human side in front of you. My impression about him has completely changed. I have even more love and respect for the man now. ThanX to BBC for such a great job, I particulary enjoyed the B/W clips from his childhood days.
What a life ! Watching this DVD one gets a insight in to his spirituality and at the same time he seems to be such a simple person. Raviji thinks, speaks as if he never left his childhood place in Benares. He still has an accent which most people like me try hard to get rid off. It was quiet touching to see his wife correct him from saying "servants quarters", a non-PC term used commonly in India, I had tears in my eyes. Some of the footage with Raviji's Guru, Allaudin Khan is simply brilliant. I am mostly stuck with the first CD, but the concerts on the CD 2 are very well recorded and if you have a 9:16 big screen TV , its quiet a treat.
I am already making a list of people I can buy this for as a gift!

Can't wait.......2004-02-21

I ordered the DVD after reading all these wonderful reviews and I can't wait to get my hands on it. I love Ravi Shankar's music and consider him a genius myself. I can only hope I can acquire enough wisdom to appreciate the music of people like him. I do have a bone to pick though. As a person who grew up in India we saw nepotism all around us, it is a unwritten law of the land. Now, living in the US I don't have much tolerance for it. I went to a concert in the late 90's at the Mesonic hoping to see and hear Ravi Shankar's music but he was shamelessly pushing his daughter all over the concert.She wasn't even ready and would just stop playing every now and then. What most leaders in India failed to do is set themselves as an example.He is well traveled and well acheived person. Its a tragedy that such a great man passed on such an opportunity for more greatness. I will be certainly skipping the part where she plays on the DVD. That will be for all the great musical talent in India who will never be discovered because they are not related to anyone famous.

Perfect DVD.......2004-02-12

If you are interested in Ravi Shankar, India music and/ or the arts in any way I would suggest getting this DVD. It takes you to India, to see the roots of classical Indian music. To spiritual places and Ravi's connections to those place. Absolutley beautiful filming. To the mind of one of the worlds greatest composers and frankly a wonderful man. The first disc is filled with history, imagary and musical knowledge. To be veiwed over and over again. The 2nd disc was recorded in 2002, a beautiful live concert. Excellent sound and quality. To see a such a great master at work brought tears to my eyes. Seeing his influence on Pop and western music and the warmth of a man that will live forever in the hearts of many musicians and music lovers around the world. He IS music. This DVD has it all and I highly suggest it.

Dances of India - Learning Bharata Natyam

Average customer rating:

Hardly any dancing instruction
Not a workout!!!
It's a bargain
Basics in a nutshell - celebrating the commercial birth of the American "Bharatanatyam"
Comparatively speaking, this is a pricey DVD - definitely not a bargain!

Dances of India - Learning Bharata Natyam
Starring: Padma Chebrolu
Director: David Morrison
Manufacturer: Cultural Centre of India LLC
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000AZVDI
Release Date: 2003-07-28

Description

Namaste! This is how we greet each other in India. It means "I bow to the God in you." Our culture and art are both ancient and spiritual. Classical dances of India are born in the temples and are the dances of the mind, the soul and the divine. These dance traditions still follow the rules set by Guru Bharata in his Natya Sastra (Science of Dancing) from second century AD. This dance instructional DVD is created for aspiring dancers who want to learn the basic technique and practice on a regular basis to become magnificent dancers.

Learning any art takes time and practice. At the end, the rewards are wonderful. This is an attempt to introduce you to the technique and inspire you to pursue this art further. This DVD disc features interactive menus and chapter marks for easy access to your desired dance step or scene.

Some of the highlights of this DVD include: 1.Salutation, 2.Basic Positions, 3.Single Hand Gestures, 4.Warm up Exercises, 5.Steps Series One, 6.Head Movements, 7.Eye Movements, 8.Neck Movements, 9.Steps Series Two, 10.Double Hand Gestures, 11.Poses, 12.Costumes & Make Up, 13.Ananda Natanam Dance.

In this DVD, Padma Chebrolu demonstrates how she has taken her years of intense Bharata Natyam training and teaching experience to the dance studio. She instructs the viewer just as she trains her students in private classes. All of the steps are taught in simpler and smaller segments to make it easy to follow. Padma uses well organized material and standard teaching method throughout.

This DVD teaches traditional Bharata Natyam as performed by hundreds of millions of Indians all over the world. If you are interested in India and its arts, this DVD is a must for you.

Customer Reviews:

Hardly any dancing instruction.......2007-05-16

Very dissapointed. More talk than dance and hardly any instruction. Waste of money

Not a workout!!!.......2007-02-23

I'm thrilled that "instructional" means instructional. Padma says things once and expects the viewer to make full use of the 'back' button on the remote. I'm rather tired of how-to dance videos that muddy up technique with aerobics.

However, the instructor is rather sloppy about her technique and I get the impression that this is a video to teach the language of the dance rather than the dance itself. (To learn ballet, one must know 'plie'... to learn Bharata Natyam, one must know 'mudra').

I recommed this as a "pre-beginning" tool, for students who have access to a guru to become familiar with the vocabulary of the dance before taking lessons.

I am aware that many dance students do not have a guru to teach them Bharata Natyam, and for those students, I urge caution. Yes, this DVD can teach basic technique, but do not use it as a definitive resource. Also remember that this dance pays homage to dieties, and should not be performed without propper training and respect. I would have appreciated if if Padma was more clear on the division of the religious and decorative aspects of the dance, but she presumes that a serious dancer will find a guru to learn from.

It's a bargain.......2006-05-25

This is a good introduction video for those who are just curious about Bharatnatyam and who are not planning to practise it, even if this video is mis-named as "instructional". Of course, it is a pity there are no online trailers of it, but at least you can find a lot of its screenshots on jayq.org . Considering the virtual absence of any other well-structured instructional Bharatnatyam DVDs that present most of its aspects, I think that $25 is a good bargain for "Learning Bharata Natyam".

Basics in a nutshell - celebrating the commercial birth of the American "Bharatanatyam".......2006-05-24

First of all, it was odd to read in the Product description that the author thinks that "Bharata Natyam as performed by hundreds of millions of Indians all over the world". In reality, less than 1 among 10000 Indians know even the basics of Bharatnatyam.

This DVD lets you watch 28 mudras, 20 hastas, 3 warm-up exercises (which is ridiculously inadequate), 8 head movements, 8 eye movements, 4 neck (stiff!) movements, 10 "poses", and 29 steps at 2 speeds. Considering that each DVD player can let you play the movie at half or quater speed, the whole idea of giving 2 speeds is foolish as there is no explanation of the different phases (and common errors) of the movements. The "guru" herself does not seem to realize the miriad of errors that she makes herself.

The cameraman was unaware of the difference between shooting a belly dancer and a Bharatanatyam dancer: very often the dancer's hands and feet in this DVD are cut out of the frame, and only the dancer's face and stomach are visible.

What surprised me most in "Dances of India - Learning Bharata Natyam" is the rather useless ("talking head" only) lenghthy introduction (7 minutes). All in all, nearly half of all the time in this DVD we see Padma Chebrolu's "talking head" - rather awkward for a "Bharatanatyam guru" too.

Don't expect to find anything useful in the "Costumes & Make-up" section. You can learn as much from here as from seeing 1 photo of a Bharatanatyam dancer.

The instructor, a full-time software engineer with an MBA, is well-aware of the inadequate quality of her demonstrations of something that is presented as "Bharata Natyam". If Tony Blair loses his job soon, he might well go to India and teach western ballet there. He will surely be better at it than P.Chebrolu at Bharata Natyam.

Anyone who knows how to search the Internet can find Bharata Natyam DVD trailers from Padma Chebrolu's "Learning Bharata Natyam" and see that it is no match for serious instructional Bharatnatyam DVDs like, for example, SriDevi Nrithyalaya's videos.

I bought this "Dances of India - Learning Bharata Natyam" DVD from Amazon out of curiosity, and now regret paying so much for another piece of junk.

Comparatively speaking, this is a pricey DVD - definitely not a bargain!.......2006-02-24

Among the educational Bharatnatyam DVDs, this one is the most expensive. Yes, the image quality is better than in, for example, the Drishya Bharatham DVDs, but what about the accuracy and precision of the technique, and clarity of explanations? Of course we cannot compare J.Suryanarayanamurthy, a Kalakshetra professor, with P.Chebrolu. So why P.Chebrolu's DVD should be 3 times more expensive than J.Suryanarayanamurthy's?

Instead of giving too many cultural introduction (we all can read books, and do not need lectures on DVDs!), P.Chebrolu should have given more time to actually show and explain the moves deeper.

Anyone who actually tries to learn anything with this DVD will end up with too many unanswered questions.

Average customer rating:

MOMENTO MEMORABLE
An exceptional tribute
La Reina de la Salsa/The Queen of Salsa
Great viedo by Celia

Celia Cruz & Friends - A Night of Salsa
Starring: Celia Cruz , Isidro Infante , Luisito Quintero , Pedro Knight , and Johnny Pacheco
Director: Jay Whitsett
Manufacturer: Pbs Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Celia Cruz - Azucar!
Celia Cruz and the Fania Allstars in Africa
La Cuba Mia
La Eterna Voz De Celia Cruz
Return of Ruben Blades

ASIN: B0002I839U
Release Date: 2004-08-31

Description

In CELIA CRUZ AND FRIENDS: A NIGHT OF SALSA Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and La India perform songs to a beat that you can't help but move to. Included in this DVD are the performances of such popular songs as "Mi Vida es Cantar," "Carnival," "Babalu Medley" and many more.

Customer Reviews:

MOMENTO MEMORABLE.......2005-09-20

LUEGO QUE LAS PERSONAS MUEREN SIEMPRE QUEDAMOS CON LA SENSACION DE " SI HUBIERAMOS", ESTE DVD RECOGE A LOS MEJORES DE LA EPOCA Y LES HACE UN HOMENAJE ALREDEDOR DE CELIA PERO NO SOLO A ELLA SINO A TODOS... ES EXTRAORDINARIO VERLOS JUNTOS!

An exceptional tribute.......2003-10-11

Usually, tributes are made after someone has passed away. But, for Celia Cruz this was not the case. Her talent, humility, simplicity, and of course her voice captivated and inspired so many around her so deeply, that they wanted her to be honored while she was still here. It is this spirit that we see in "A Night of Salsa". Celia in her opening act reminds me of a Cuban doll. She is beautiful, and her voice is undoubtedly the best. Her friends, such as Tito Puente and Johnny Pacheco show us how much she was loved (and still is). For those of us who love salsa, love music, and love Celia, this video is priceless. Celia is no longer with us in person, but in this video she lives on . Que en paz descanse la reina de la salsa!

La Reina de la Salsa/The Queen of Salsa.......2000-09-23

In one of her most memorable stage concerts, Celia Cruz along with the help of some famous friends celebrate the world of Salsa music in pure splendor. "Celia Cruz & Friends: A Night of Salsa" is a PBS-produced special that features Celia performing for a sold-out crowd in Hartford, Connecticut. Performing many of her classics, including her trademark song, "Guantanamera," Celia is joined on stage by the late, great Tito Puente, who along with a full Latin orchestra rocks the house by all means necessary.

Later in the program, she is joined on stage by her longtime friend and duet partner, Johnny Pacheco, and by La India, who is known to many as the "Princess of Salsa." This performance, which was the final time Celia and Tito performed before his death in May 2000, is not only a fitting tribute to Celia, but to Tito, who Celia has admired and loved since he helped her reach international stardom upon her arrival to New York after she left Cuba shortly after the Cuban Revolution of 1959. Celia never forgets those who helped her in the past and she graciously gives accolades to all the Puerto Rican artists who always were there for her.

Celia is a true diva. Her choice of costumes and wigs has made her somewhat of a Latina Tina Turner, and her stage persona can't be matched even today. "Celia Cruz & Friends: A Night of Salsa" will provide you with an exciting, rhythm-filled performance that all with enjoy. There are no language barriers when it comes to music appreciation and Celia and friends will validate this statement entirely!

Great viedo by Celia.......2000-09-14

Just finshed watching this video and I wanted to tell you that this was a great concert done by Celia Cruz having owning the cd as well I couldn't wait to see the concert it was great seeing Celia proform her old and new song on this video my favorite song on this tape is Bemba Colora because she sings this song this such passion and such feeling and my other favorite song has got to be Celia Y Tito because that was the final time she proformed with Tito Puente. Overall I give this tape two thumbs up 5 stars. If you love Celia Cruz or latin music in general you will love this video.

Average customer rating:

Like being there
Beautiful Chanting
KD's "Yoga of Chant"..the next best thing to a kirtan!

Krishna Das - The Yoga of Chant
Starring: Krishna Das
Manufacturer: Razor & Tie
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

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Greatest Hits of the Kali Yuga
All One
Door of Faith
One Life at a Time
Kirtan: The Art and Practice of Ecstatic Chant

ASIN: B00005RG53
Release Date: 2002-02-05

Customer Reviews:

Like being there.......2003-04-17

Spend an evening with this DVD and you will feel as if you have spent the evening with Krishna Das and his friends and followers. The music and chanting are excellent and the warmth of the people involved provides good rapport. At the end of the disc, you will feel uplifted and relaxed.

Beautiful Chanting.......2002-11-02

The tape was very rich with meditative music-Kirtan.
It even has some footage on his Guru.
Next best thing to a live performance.
KD has a rich and powerful voice that keeps ringing in one's head.

KD's "Yoga of Chant"..the next best thing to a kirtan!.......2002-05-03

I just LOVED this video! Having been to kirtan with KD..this was the next best thing.The chants were very beautiful ones{I have all his CDs & am very familiar with all of them}-I was pleased with what was selected for the video.His speaking was also very moving and captures the "emotions" that accompany chant.The photography & editing were wonderful-they also caught the "mood" of an evening spent with this remarkable man,and his fellow musicians.Speaking of which...ALL the players were glorious.They speak to a place far beyond emotion{and description}.All the people in attendance that were viewed on the video,including the children, were ecstatic & joyous{as it is & should be,at such a gathering}.Jivamukti Yoga Center,where this video was filmed is a very pious space,which also adds to the experience.The photos & film clips of KD's beloved guru,Neem Karoli Baba are very,very moving.If you enjoy Krishna Das,chanting or BOTH-DO NOT MISS THIS VIDEO/DVD.If you never experienced either,try it anyway-it will really move you!!!While it obviously isn't an actual KD kirtan,it will tide you over till he comes to your area again.Enjoy fellow yogis & yoginis...OM SHANTI,SHANTI PEACE!!

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - A Voice From Heaven

Average customer rating:

One of only a couple dvds available on nusrat Fateh ali khan
If you are after the music, don't get this one......
Excellent introduction to the world of qawwali music
Excellent film and wonderful atmosphere
Excellent intro and guidance to this wonderful music/artist

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - A Voice From Heaven
Director: Giuseppe Asaro
Manufacturer: Winstar
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Pakistan | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

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World Music Portrait
Live in Concert
Paris Concerts Complete, Vol. 1-5
The Ultimate Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Vol. 2
The Ultimate Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Vol. 1

ASIN: B00005NC6E
Release Date: 2001-10-16

Description

Filmed in Pakistan, India, Canada and United States, A Voice From Heaven is a tribute to one of the most beautiful voices in the century: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the king of Qawwali. The story interweaves excellent Nusrat performance footage and a rare behind the scene glimpse into Nusrat's life. Interviews conducted with the many friends, artists and producers with whom Nusrat has collaborated with, including Rick Rubin, Michael Brook, Bally Sagoo and the Asian Dub Foundation, tell the story of a man and his music of peace and spiritual love.

Customer Reviews:

One of only a couple dvds available on nusrat Fateh ali khan.......2003-08-18

This Dvd has a few good moments.The picture quality was very good too.Sadly there was not enough footage of nusrat himself being interviewed before his death or peforming.The sound qaulity of nusrat singing was bad most of the time.Although this documentary possess a thrilling performance of nusrat's brother singing in great natural sound.One interesting moment was a rare interview with nusrat's widow.Overall this dvd was pretty okay,but could have been better.Still,I recommend this dvd.It's still worth seeing,cos there's not much available footage in the western world of this late master of the art of vocal music in the quwaal style.Nusrat is truely a voice from heaven.

If you are after the music, don't get this one.............2002-03-31

but if you are after the history, and more about the life of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, it is worthwhile. There are only snippets of his concert performances (really only one in particular) which as a whole, make this DVD fall far short of what I was looking for......

Excellent introduction to the world of qawwali music.......2002-03-22

Before seeing this film, I had never heard nor read about this type of music and the culture behind it. At the beginning I was a bit sceptic, but after a while I really enjoyed it, and I quite liked the music. Being a stranger to the culture and religion of the Middle East, I was amazed about the high status given to this music within the religious environment. In my view this film is a good introduction to qawwali music and I recommend it to everybody curious to learn more about other cultures and religions.

Excellent film and wonderful atmosphere.......2002-03-09

Not knowing much about this music nor the background to it I discovered a new world of high spirituality and rich culture. The film focuses on one if not the master of the Qawwali music.
The time witness interviews and especially the footage from its origins in Pakistan provide a rich and enlithening setting for the timeless pieces of the master himself.
Some of the core and most beautiful pieces of his musci are incorporated into the film.
The film is shot expertly and especially the footage from Pakistan and the concerts are rare to be seen.
It provides not only an excellent introduction but even for the initiated an in-depth experience of the master and his world. It allows at the same time to discover the man behind the artist.
Whoever likes "world music" and deep, spiritual-driven music, cannot miss this one.

Excellent intro and guidance to this wonderful music/artist.......2002-03-08

Unfortunately, I have never seen Nusrat perform live but in this film; and had only a limited knowledge about Qawwali music beforehand.
The film gives an excellent introduction to this music and the artist who is one if not the master of this very spiritual music.
The footage shot in Pakistan and other background pieces allow the un-initiated to gain more than just a newcomer's understanding and appreciation. Some of the masterpieces of this music are performed live and the performance of one of the core songs on the grave of Nusrat is breath-taking.
I found the interviews and comments by some of the time witnesses especially enlightening to understand the man behind the artist.
All in all, whoever is interested in what is termed "world music" has to have this one.

Average customer rating:

Strings Attached: Sarod & Cello
Starring: Amaan Ali Khan , Ayaan Ali Khan , Matthew Barley , and Amjad Ali Khan
Manufacturer: Navras
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Average customer rating:

World of Slide Guitar
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Grossman's Guitar Workshop
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

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Product Description

This DVD reveals a world of sounds - American, Hawaiian, Indian, English - vibrant with emotional nuances conjured by featured artists from a cold piece of steel. The 14 superb performances here demonstrate the slide guitar artistry of Bob Brozman, Debashish Bhattacharya, Mike Auldridge, Martin Simpson, and John Fahey. A 58-minute DVD.

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