In January 2014 the Vanaver Carvan (VC) Dance Virtusos will be returning to Udaiur to learn Kalbelia and Tertali dance forms from WZCC tribal masters and to offer Global Dance Workshops to Udaipur youth and dance enthusiasts, as informed by Big Medicine Charitable Trust’s Shakti Works project.

After an inspiring 2012 pilot world dance project in three local schools, the VC instructors fell in love with Udaipur, Rajasthani culture and the amazing talent level here. Project sponsor Big Medicine Charitable Trust (BMCT) then invited VC to co-develop Udaipur world dance education programs and Shakti Academy of Dance.

VC director Livia Vanaver enthusiastically agreed and added, “We would be honored to participate, and are especially happy with BMCT’s efforts to help us learn as well as teach.”

The Vanaver Caravan is a renowned New York-based world dance company that has toured and taught internationally for the last decade and won countless awards. Members have mastered folk dances from many cultures, but none had ever witnessed the grace and power of Rajasthan’s folk traditions until they visited in 2012.

In the words of VC’s 2012 team leader, Miranda Ten Broeke, “Rajasthani folk culture is such an amazing treasure house and should be opened far wider to the world.”

Sri Dashora of the West Zone Cultural Centre generously offered this year’s members master Teratali and Kalbelia teachers as well as spaces to practice and perform for VC group.

Teaching Team

VC founder directors, famed dancer/choreographer Livia Vanaver and her virtuoso/ composer husband Bill Vanaver, and two of its greatest dancers, Riverdance tap dance legend & Kungfu master, Joel Hanna; and VC’s beloved Udaipur project leader, Miranda Ten Broeke.

Teaching Schedule

Besides intensive children’s dance classes at St. Matthews and the Badhi government tribal school, VC’s 2014 Udaipur schedule includes a “Women’s World Dance & Choreography Workshop” from January 6th to14th.

A “Women’s Martial Arts Workshop” from January 15th to 23rd. Livia and Miranda will lead the women’s dance workshop and focus on holistic dance & movement training to boost all participants’ confidence, grace, flexibility and expressiveness.

Kungfu black belt and dancer/choreographer, Joel will teach the martial arts workshop and present fluid self-defense techniques to enhance women’s strength, balance and poise.

Class Timings

Women’s World Dance: Jan 6-13, 3:30 to 4:30 pm & 4.40 to 5.40 pm, Café Nirvana Dance Studio

Women’s Self-Defense: Jan 15-23, 5:00 to 6:00 pm, Café Nirvana Dance Studio, Sajjanghar Road.

Heartbeater VC classes: children – 6:00 to 7:00 pm; young adults – 7:00 to 8:00 pm, Jan 6-13, R.K. Mall

Awards and Celebrations

All students will receive Certificates of Achievement and perform in Recital Parties at the end of their course. A final performance recital for all groups will be hosted by Shilpgram on January 24th.

Invitation to Udaipur

According to BMCT founder-trustee Rita Dixit-Kubiak, “We invite all of Udaipur’s aspiring dancers to participate and we’re certain they will be delighted by VC’s teaching talent and creativity. The WZCC’s assistance has been priceless; but special credit must also go to our other project partners like Bharat Verma of Heartbeaters Dance School, Madhu Sareen and Purvi Mistry for their inspiring cooperation and Sajjangarh’s Café Nirvana Dance Studios for classroom space.”

For info on enrollment, class fees, etc. please see BMCT’s project blog udaipurshakti.blogspot.com or contact Rita Dixit-Kubiak: email – rita@bigmed.org; mobile – 869-637-3193