Transcript No Slide Title

An Exhibition of Art based on
Music & Dance
December 9-13, 2001
What We Already Know About
Ramani...
(At Least, What We Thought We Knew
about him)
Wedding Set Design...
“… very Creative, Simple and Striking… Elegant without being Expensive… (his work)
Doesn’t Steal the Limelight away from the Event… very easy to work with - NOT
Temperamental and Open to Suggestions!”
- (“Enfield”) Smt. Gomathi Viswanathan
“… a Pioneer in Wedding Set Design…very Creative and Original….Simple but Elegant
- Conveys a Lot with a Little…Doesn’t allow Time or Money to get in the way of the
Result…(has) the Right Touch!”
- Hema Ramkumar, Fashion Designer
“… Designed ALL the artwork for (my) Daughter’s Wedding - (right from) the Wedding
Cards, the entry arches, (to) the Wedding Stage… Blended various Shades of his
Artistic Sensibilities - Very Tasteful and Aesthetic… (a) Reflection of (his) innate
goodness… Everyone (was) amazed at (his) ability to bring out the latent beauty (in)
very ordinary materials - sense of Freshness and Nature!”
- Nandini Ramani, Bharata Natyam Exponent and Dance Critic
Nandhini Ramani - Daughter’s
wedding
Note the Flower Thombais
Wedding Sets…
Gomathi Viswanath - Daughter’s
wedding
Note the Coordinated “Kasiyatrai” Set
Wedding Entrance
Decorated using Plantain Stalks
Music Set Design...
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Music Sets For Chennai’s Leading Sabhas
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Music Organizations
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Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha, Krishna Gana Sabha…
Kala Mandir Trust…
Corporate Sponsored Shows
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Satyam Infoway (SIFY) Sponsored Carnatic Music
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TransWorld Sponsored Music Festival @ Chennai (2000)
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Featuring UnniKrishnan & Shankar Mahadevan
Samudaya Foundation
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Live Webcast - Featuring Sudha Raghunathan
Orissa Relief Fund
Gujarat Earthquake Fund
HMV Carnatic Music Festivals
Sterling Resorts - “Heritage Kala Utsav”
Book Release Functions - Music Today, and Anitha Ratnam
Music Set Design...
“… (he’s) done the interiors of The Music Academy’s Main Hall… discusses the
Concept with me… (then) expands on it… Very Much Appreciated by ALL of
our Members… (so much so) we’ve asked him to Design the Stage for
our 75th Anniversary Celebrations!!!”
- T. T. Vasu, Music Academy
“… wonderful human being… knows how to give artistes the respect they
need… friendly, respectful - yet is able to offer suggestions… ‘Backdrop
Ramani’… effervescent, but in a quiet way… Extremely Simple but
Creative… always very Down to Earth, but Right On the Mark - Blends with
the theme… I’ve seen some of his paintings… Suggested that he
should have an Exhibition… A Dream Come True!”
- Sudha Raghunathan, Carnatic Vocalist
Music Sets…
Stage Design @ Music
Academy
Stage Design based on Logo
Using Ikat
Sudha Raghunathan in Concert
Live WebCast on Sify.Com
Please note the “Stained Glass”
Effect
Dance Set Design...
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Dance Sets For Chennai’s Leading Sabhas
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Dance Organizations/Festivals
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Kala Mandir Trust
Fine Arts Foundation
Dharani Kalotsav” (Cochin)
Chidambaram “Natyanjali” (Since 1998)
 Lakshaya Dance Festival at Music Academy
 Sangeet Natak Academy
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Props for Dance Dramas
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Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha, Krishna Gana Sabha…
Dhananjayan’s Bharata Kalanjali - Thyagaraja Vaibhavam and Sanghamitra
(Late) S. K. Rajaratnam’s USA Tour - Meenakshi Kalyanam
Drama - Nandini Ramani’s Sanskrit Play (Anarkali) and Ballet (Kuravanji)
Stage Décor for Seminars
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Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan’s Dance Seminar
Shruti’s Seminar on “Nattuvanar” Tradition
Dance Set Design…(Contd.)
“… ALL Stage Performances of the Kala Mandir Trust… very Creative, Simple and
Striking… (his work) Doesn’t Steal the Limelight away from the Event… very easy to
work with - Not Temperamental and Open to Suggestions!”
- (“Enfield”) Smt. Gomathi Viswanathan
“… Fully Blossomed Art by himself… ideas of ancient and modern cultures…
without losing the importance of Traditions… For any Abstract, he will give
a real or live exposure… Not Only an Artist, But a Creator!”
- Krishnaswamy, Narada Gana Sabha
“… a Great Feel for Aesthetics… rare person who has Talent and Humility - (his)
constant quest for improvement… (he’s) honed, refined and polished (his talent) like
a gem… and like a gem, it’s multifaceted… Deep involvement in All Cognate Art
Forms and Cognate Disciplines enriches them all… gives him a wide and deep
vision… (a) Key Attribute of Greatness!”
- Padmashri Chitra Visweshwaran, Bharata Natyam Exponent
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Innovations in Dance Set
Design...
Collapsible Dance Props for Individual (NRI) Dancers
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Canada* - Menaka Thakkar (Ramayana), Lata Pada
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Special Mention - Harish (Narasimha Avataram) - Usage of Thombai for Pillar
USA* - Aparna Ramaswamy, Vidya Subramanian, Ratna Papa…
UK - Pushkala Gopal, Dr. Ghosh (Student of Chitra Visweshwaran)…
Singapore - Neela Satyalingam…
International Forums - Cleveland Cultural Alliance - ABHYASA
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Collapsible Props for Dance Productions
Presented in 25 Cities - Across USA and Canada
Dance Sets…
Abhyasa Dance Set
Note Collapsible Props
Krishna Gana Sabha
Natya Kala
Conference
Dance Costume Design...
“… from the first impression… (our ideas) Blended so Well… (made me feel)
Very Comfortable… able to Expand on a Theme (with) Minimum
Guidelines… Very Responsible and Responsive!”
- Bhanupriya, Film Star and Dancer
“… very soft-spoken… hides a very Intense, Observant and Creative Artist…
able to juxtapose Traditional Looking Props with Contemporary Materials…
Fine Sense of Color, Texture & Fabric… Looks at ALL Elements of a
Production… Props are Designed with Excellent Visualization of Music &
Dance Movements… (he’s) Synonymous with Quality and Aesthetics!”
- Anita Ratnam, Dancer and Cultural Activist
“… very Quiet and Unassuming… very Receptive… very Good Listener … puts
me at ease - very important when you’re trying to convey an artistic
image…Aware of Budgets (but) Doesn’t Compromise on Creativity - Always
Exceeds Expectations… Engenders Trust… (I) Treasure his Friendship!”
- Priyadarshini Govind, Bharata Natyam Exponent
Costume Design for “Tarkash”
Mughal/Islamic Theme
Dance Costumes…
Bharata Natyam Costume
Film Art Design…
Film Art Appreciation Course
 “Swati Thirunal” (Malayalam)
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Asst. Art Director to Krishnamurthy
Krishnamurthy on Ramani
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“…Very Good in Design for Sets…Tremendous potential as a Designer…
Excellent Eye for Color Schemes - especially for Traditional/Period
Costumes… (I) Would love to work with him again…”
Television Set Design…
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DD National Programmes of Dance
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Lakshmi Knight, Chitra Visweshwaran,The Narasimhacharis
Anita Ratnam’s “Independence Day” - Dance Ballet
Children’s Day Programme
Radhika Shurjit’s Ballet
TV Programs
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GoodKnight’s “Face to Face” (Sun TV)
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Khushboo
Shivaranjani
Srinidhi Rangarajan’s Dance Program (Vijay TV)
“Shivanjali” Music & Dance Program (Vijay TV)
Talk Show for Madan (Jaya TV)
Radhika Shurjit, Creative Dancer/Choreographer - TV, Film
“… Very Intense but Tasteful… Simple and Wonderful human being, which is Reflected in
his Work… (When you see his work) the Focus is the Art, Not the Artist… I see Music,
Dance, and Movement in his work - Even in his Paintings!”
Textile/Fabric Design...
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Lalit Kala Akademi - Batik Exhibition
DCM
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3 Years - Textile Designer for Dress Materials, Furnishings, Sarees
Radha Silk Emporium (RASI)
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In-House Designer
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Saree - ‘Sun Signs’
Collection
Designs for Collections & Exhibitions
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Sarees - Printed and Woven
Salwar Kameez
Printed & Woven Sarees with Folk Motifs
B&W Collection - Block Printed Sarees
Paavadi/Dhavani/Blouse Revival Collection
Display Design - Shop Floor Displays
Mayuri Boutique
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“Sun Signs” Collection - Printed Sarees based on Zodiac Signs
Introducing Ramani - The
Renaissance Man
(Or What you Didn’t Know about him)
Corporate Sector
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Logo Design
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Event Management
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HMV Carnatic Music Festivals
Sanmar Group Dinners - Dinner Settings
CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Partnership Summit (Jan
‘98)
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Viswapriya Finance
Enfield Agrobase
Designed Stalls & Settings
Interior Decoration
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Citiband Shelters Office
“Blues Power” - Alsa Mall
The Teacher...
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National Institute of Design (NID)
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1 Year as A Full-Time Faculty Member
Taught Textile Design
Visiting Faculty
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MGR Engg College - B. Arch. Program - Freehand Drawing
Stella Maris College - B. A. (Fine Arts) - Block Printing
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NIFT - Course on World Art Appreciation
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The
Journalist…
Selection)
Art Reviews, Articles & Profiles
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Art & Dance Critic
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“Shimmer of Gold & Silver” - The Hindu (06/11/1988)
“The Art Page” - Feature Column - TRENDS OPUS (Since 1991)
“The Queen of Hearts” - Aside (15/11/1995)
“Still-life in Lines” - The Indian Express (26/07/1997)
TRENDS OPUS
The Indian Express
Ananda Vikatan
Nunkalai
Illustrations for Articles & Features
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The Indian Express
Ananda Vikatan
(A
The Musician...
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Proficiency in Classical Vocal
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Carnatic Classical Tutelage by
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Mrs. Shrimati Brahmanandam
Prof. Dr. S. Ramanathan
Hindustani Classical Training
Music Performances
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Light Music Group - Performances in Delhi
Vocal Accompaniment for Dance
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Anitha Rathnam
Srikant (Disciple of Dr. Padma Subrahmaniam)
Ramani - A Man Ahead of His Times
(He Marches to a Different Drummer - Even for
an Artist )
Fabric Design…
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Appliqued Bedspreads & Fun Cushions
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Lalit Kala Akademi - Batik Exhibition
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“Shrushti” - Bed Covers, Painted Planters & Furniture (Sept. ‘85)
“Kid Décor” - Exhibition at Shakshi Gallery (Apr. ‘87)
Exhibition of Batik Wall Hangings and Sarees (Feb. ‘83)
Designer Collection of Thombais
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Exhibition in Chennai (Dec. ‘97)
Appliqued Bedspread
Cork As A
Expression…
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of
FIRST ARTIST (in the World) TO USE CORK AS A MEDIUM
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Medium
“Cork Assemblages” - Exhibition at Sakshi Gallery (Aug ‘89)
Exhibition of Murals and Collages
Exhibition was a Sellout - Pieces ranged from Rs. 15-35,000/-
Dhananjay Bhatt - Partner, Cork Industries
“… happened to mention (this) to him… possibly be the First in the World
to Use Cork as an Art Medium… pushed him to work the fastest
possible… Brought out this exhibition (25 Murals and Collages) in
Record Time (45 Days)!”
Cork...
“Thombai Mela”
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Tradition
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Always on a White Background
Common Uses - Temples, Dance/Drama, Marriages
No Utility Other than Beauty
Ramani’s Innovations - Balance of Beauty & Utility
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Bright Colors and Motifs - e.g. Bandhini Prints, etc.
Extended Usability - Includes Offices & Homes
Maintainable - Collapsible, Cloth Removable & Washable
Attractive Gifts - Because of Easy Portability
“Small pieces…exquisite colors…lamp shades…glow rendered…even more resplendent…(Ramani)
an artist for whom innovation in everything is imperative!”
– Malathi Rangarajan, Columnist, The Hindu (Dec 19, ‘97)
“…such a sincere and honest person… comes through in his work… (Ramani believes that) the Art
is it’s own reward… (his) ‘Problem’ is that he’s So Good at So Many Things!!”
– Shanta Guhan, Art Connoiseur
“The credit for the Thombai Mela idea goes to Shanta Guhan”
– V. V. Ramani, Artist Extraordinaire!
Ramani - The Artist
(How Could he be a Renaissance Man Without
Being an Artist???)
Cork Mural -“Kutcheri”
Murals…
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Design & Execution of Murals in Cork
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“Cork Assemblages” - Exhibition @ Sakshi Gallery ( ‘89)
Private Clients
Design & Execution of Murals in Cement
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SIPCOT - M. S. Swaminathan Foundation
Residence of Mr. Basu John
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(Poes Garden, Near Rajnikath’s Residence)
Collages…
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Exhibited Collages at:
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“Cork Assemblages” - Exhibition at Sakshi Gallery (‘89)
Regional Art Exhibition - Lalit Kala Akademi (Chennai ‘92)
Annual Art Exhibition - Chitra Kala Parishad (Bangalore ‘92)
Annual Exhibition - Ovia Nunkalai Kuzhu (‘97)
Ovia Nunkalai Kuzhu - Senior Artist Award
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State Level Award - Presented by the Governor
Commemorating 50th Year of Independence
Citation and Cash Award
Cork Collage -“Flower
Paper Collage “NAVARASA”
basket”
“…unlike many collage artists, Ramani works with a definite end image as a goal… journey literally
papered with every kind of image… Yet in all the ‘Madness’ of swirling, colorful, even
bizarre images, there is the ‘Method’ of Final Creation!”
– Pushpa Chari, Columnist, The Hindu (Mar 13, ‘98)
And Now
…
Margazhi Moments
(Or as Ramani Puts it… His First Love)
Ramani at Work...
Paintings…
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One Man Show
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Exhibitions:
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Painting & Graphics (Chennai 1978)
Atul National Exhibition of Art (Gujarat 1982)
Third Rashtriya Kala Mela (New Delhi 1985)
Madan - Cartoonist & Columnist
“… know him for over 20 years…WE Pioneered Illustrations in “Ananda Vikatan”… Excellent
Illustrations…keeps a very low profile... Extraordinary Talent with a Catholic Approach…
very original work… very aware of budgets… Like Picasso, he Can Create Art with Very
Little and Very Ordinary Materials!!!”
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Adimoolam - Artist
“… very Talented and Creative Artist… Extremely Versatile… Murals… Cork… Thombai…
very good taste & sense of aesthetics… Very Knowledgeable and Excellent Art Critic!”

Ramani… On Ramani
“I’m a bit of everything, that everybody thinks… But, I’d like to be known as an Artist and
a Fine Human Being!”
Ramani
on
Moments’...

‘Margazhi
Why this Exhibition
“I’ve been missing my paintings now… been doing a
lot of other art…thought I’ll get back to brush and
paint!”
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Why Portraits on Music & Dance
“I have a Strong Love of Music & Dance… Portraits
per se as a medium not very common now… you see
more of Abstracts and Compositions.”
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Why ‘Margazhi Moments’
“Margazhi is a Month of Activity in Madras for Music
& Dance - ‘Margazhi, Music & Madras’…
enough said!”
Ramani’s Head Cheerleader
(Who has Always Been Aware of His Talent)
Mrs. Ramani…
“…Ramani’s very fortunate to have her in his life… words or compliments
cannot describe her contribution… in my opinion, (Ramani’s) work is
dedicated to Hema… (She is) Ramani’s Muse!”
- Padmashri Alarmel Valli, Bharata Natyam Exponent
“… (this) Presentation would NOT be possible or complete without mentioning
Hema… (She’s) Ramani’s Torch-Bearer!”
- Priyadarshini Govind, Bharata Natyam Exponent
“… (I) cannot think of Ramani without Hema… (they’re) like
ArdhaNareeshwara!!!”
- (“Enfield”) Smt. Gomathi Viswanathan
“… Artistic Flair of an Industrious Couple… Creative Couple”
- Malathi Rangarajan, The Hindu, Jan 24, 2000
Acknowledgements
Mrs. & Mr. Ramani Thank...
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All the People & Artistes Involved in this Presentation for giving us their
‘Invaluable Time and Kind Words’
The Media & Press for their Gracious Presence & Coverage
Vinyasa Art Gallery and Music Academy
Mrs. & Mr. S. Thyagarajan, (S. Thyagarajan & Co., Mylapore)
Mr. V. Srinivasan (“Murali”), Nanganallur
Mrs. Kalpana & Ramnath, Nandanam
Our Families
And Last But Not Least:
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Munuswamy & his team of Carpenters
Sarangan Flower Shop
Chella Video
Chandrashekhar
For Copies & Enquiries
VIJAY SAI
Principal Consultant & COO
Sai Business Consultants
“Raj Nivas”
37/2, Vijayraghavachari Road
T. Nagar, Madras 600017
Email:
Phone: 91-44-8239411
Cell: 91-98410-99139
[email protected]
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