Samudra Arts !
Shri. Madhu Gopinath and Shri. Vakkom Sajeev co-founded the flagship creative dance theatre named “Samudra Performing Arts” in 1998. They are the principal dancers, choreographers and directors of Samudra Performing Arts. Both of them through innovative choreographies and performances have emerged as leading figures in the field of creative physical dance theatre. Trained in various classical dance forms, martial art forms and Yoga, they express their creativity through innovative items that go beyond the boundaries of tradition, seeking a powerful, innovative, vibrant, yet unique Indian idiom of dance.
Samudra, a trend setting institution, has a rich history of 18 years. It has introduced creative ideas into the old format and brought refreshing duo & group productions giving inspiration to a new generation of artistes and art connoisseurs. Development of a new style of dance -“Samudranatanam”, which derives its energy from India’s great cultural ethos, one of the most sought after new idiom in the world of creative dance forms is the biggest contribution they had made to the Indian creative dance theatre. Recently Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy honored Sri. Vakkom Sajeev and Sri. Madhu Gopinath with the “Kalashree Puraskaar” for the contributions towards Samudranatanam – Samudra’s unique dance style.
They have directed and choreographed four major productions named ‘The Sound of Silence’, ‘Jalam’, ‘Rhythm’ and ‘The Cosmic Dance of Siva’, which are well acclaimed both in India and internationally.
They have performed in renowned festivals like The International Summer Theatre Festival held in Hamburg, Germany, The Hong Kong Asian Festival (1998), Iddac Dance and Music Festival, Royal Opera House in London in September 2001, Spoleto Festival – Italy 2001, 2002 & 2007, Indian Events in Spain, Portugal & France, toured UK for Sampad, Bonn Biennale Festival (2005), Edinburgh Festival – Scotland (2006), Frankfurt Book Festival (2006), Srilankan Indian Community Festival (2007), Soorya Youth Festival in 12 countries, Bangkok Festival for ICCR (2012), US Tour with Soorya (2013), Kalanidhi International Arts Festival in Canada (2013), etc. Apart from these he has also performed in many Indian festivals like the Soorya Festival, Uday Sankar Satabdi Samaroh Festival organised by the Kendriya Sangeeth Natak Akademi in Calcutta, Sangeeth Natak Akademi Festival in Manipur, Chandigarh, Jammu Kashmir, Tripura, Mumbai, Konark Festival, Khajuraho Festival etc., In 2001, with IFA (Chaali Project), he toured 23 villages of South India, performed, conducted workshops and lecture demonstrations in 60 venues. They have also choreographed and danced in an Indo – French collaborative opera work named ‘The Fakir of Benares’ which was staged in Delhi and Mumbai. They choreographed for National Inaugural function for the Celebration commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the First War of Independence 1857, 100 years of Satyagraha and 60 Years of Freedom for India which was a proposal by the Asian Heritage Foundation. In the year 2010, they were the choreographers and artistic directors of the “Agni Segment” of Closing Ceremony of Common Wealth Games first ever held in India at New Delhi. They toured with many well known artists all over the world and had collaborative performances together. They represented India in all the major international venues and presented our vast culture to the world.
They have been awarded the National Award for Best Choreographers in the year 2006 by the Government of India. They have also been awarded for Best Choreography by Government of Kerala in the year 2006 and the Film Critics Association award in the same year for the film – ‘Raathrimazha’. In the year 2010, they have been awarded for Best Choreography by Government of Kerala for the film – ‘Makaramanju’ and also won Film Critics Association award for the same film.
