About holistic center for the performing arts India in , Varkala

Holistic is derived from a Greek word ‘holos’, which is the origin of word ‘whole’, no separation. We believe in performing arts that follow the holistic way of living. Looking for contact points between western and eastern, dance and theatre, art and healing.
We are sustained by the universe and nature, like ayurveda and naturopathy teach to us. Beauty is being in harmony with them and following their law.

The Centre lies in a quiet place, in one of the most beautiful beaches of Kerala in India
We teach yoga, western dance-theatre and kathakali.
We also give oil massages, steam baths, organic food and naturopath meals.

For more information and details: +91.9744387470, holisticpac@gmail.com

Teachers
Kalamandalam Ratheesan, Kathakali
Giovanna Summo, Western Dance-Theatre

Kalamandalam Ratheesan

Son of the famous Kathakali artist Oyoor Kochu Govindan, he started his training at the age of six and later continued in the kalamandalam school. He has received a study award from the Indian governnment and has had the opportunity of studying with the great Kalamandalam maestro Krishan Nair. He joined the Margi Theatre in 1984, where he was dancer an teacher. He has performed in nearly all the countries of Europe and Asia.

Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. It originated in Kerala. Kathakali is a group presentation, in which dancers take various roles in performances traditionally based on themes from Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
One of the most interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate make-up code. Characters are categorized according to their nature. This determines the colours used in the make-up.
The technique of Kathakali includes a highly developed language of gesture, through which the artist can convey whole sentences and stories. The body movements and footwork are very rigourous.

Giovanna Summo, teatrodanzaoo@gmail.com

The core of her research is the encounter, a poetic synthesis, of different artistic languages which gives pride of place to the body and movement, the fundament of her training
She studied from '68 to '75 at the Classic National Academy of Dance in Rome. After that she studied Modern Dance, Contact Improvisation, Voice and Acting.
As a dancer and choreographer, Giovanna has worked since the 1979 in the field of dance, theatre, visual arts, cinema and opera house. She working over three decades with choreographers, directors and artists. In 1980 performend in almost all India with the Italian dance Groupe I Danzatori Scalzi, directed by Patrizia Cerroni.

In 1985, she founds Vera Stasi, an Italian dance research group of note. In 1997 with the director and visual artist Fabrizio Crisafulli, she creates Gruppo Arte Teatro Danza, subsidised by the Italian Ministry of Culture since 1998 for dance productions.
Since 2003 to 2007, she follows the Dream Acting Workhops of Elizabeth Kemp, member of the Actors’ Studio, New York.
In 2007 she returned again to India, studing Ayurveda and Kathakali, with kalamandalam Ratheesan, segnor theacher of Margi Theatre in Trivandrum.
In 2010 she created Teatro Danza Occidente Oriente (West East Dance Theatre), a new project, to promote a research on the indian culture influences in contemporary western dance and theatre.
Parallel to her artistic activity Giovanna Summo has been involved in the training of actors and dancers in permanent courses and workshops. Since 2002 to 2009, she has taught movement techniques for actors at the International Acting School.