History of Taste of India
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2001Taste of India entered the Darebin Music Feast with a ten minute performance as part of John Lane’s multicultural show. His magnanimity paved open a path with ten of Sivaganga Sahathevan’s students performing in his multicultural show.
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2002 was a repeat inclusion and TOI gained a stronger foothold in the musical feast. In addition to her students’ performance with John Lane, Sivaganga played the Veenai in Cr. Gaetano Greco’s fusion composition.
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2003 was TOI’s first independent step, hosting a total show with completely traditional Indian orchestra, music, dance and fashion show of the Indian Saree drapes. With Sivaganga’s Vani Fine Arts students on the vocals and the orchestra, Chandrabhanu ‘s Bharatalaya Academy students performed traditional dance forms of Bharathanatyam and Oddisi. Another reliable well wisher and a fine lady of artistic splendor, Ms. Nesa Arumugam showcased the Indian Saree drape in this show.
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2004 was the momentous year Sivaganga invited her Veenai mentor Smt. Prabhavathi Ganeshan, as the international performing guest. The performance was all worked around a theme of Indian folk traditions rooted in the rural communities. Sivaganga’s students worked on the ubiquitous folk songs of Indian yore from the thaalatu (lullabies) to oppaaries (death mourning songs) , all in vibrant tones and rhythm. Dr. Chandrabanu’s students too showcased several Indian folk dances as Nesa enthralled with costumes of rural folks.
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2005 was the year TOI rejoiced in tribute to the musical geniuses of two contemporary composers. The prodigious genius of Carnatic Music, Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Chevalier, Padma Vibushan, Dr. Balamuralikrishna enthralled students training them on a two weeks workshop of his compositions. Learning with the ‘Musician of the Century’ himself was an opportunity undreamt for most musicians in Melbourne. Commemorating the demise of the famous Srilankan composer Yazhpaanam Veeramani Iyer - Sivaganga’s guru in Jaffna, TOI’s student participants sang his popular compositions to the living legend visiting them. Audience were also treated to the visual and performance art based wizardry of the dance format called Simhanandanam by Kalaimamani Dr. Saraswathi.
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2006 was the victorious year in which student trained with the visiting mandolin Maestros. U. Srinivas and U. Rajesh in a workshop before performing the compositions along with him on stage for the Taste of India show! A rare & impressive honour that the maestro gave to the enthusiastic music students of Melbourne .
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2007 had the Taste of India Celebration extending to two days, one dedicated solely to the joys of the ancient Tamizh language. The second, had the orchestral and vocal offering of the music school students with a Raagamalika while interstate Bharatanatyam performers brought in expanding horizons. To add the international flavour with artists from India TOI 07 had the Veenai Vidhwan. Smt. Prabavathi Ganesan from Chennai, as well as the accomplished Oddisi performer from Mumbhai, Smt. Daksha Mashruwala.
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2008 was the year when all schools related to teaching any performance art form of India and connected to Darebin in some way were invited, to showcase their artistry on the Taste of India platform for two days. Darebin celebrated Indianess without bias. Classical art lovers rejoiced and connected in Indian brotherhood of music, dance, rhythm and poetry collaborating with several local schools.
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2009 was the year TOI reaped one of the main benefits of its artistic purpose! The youngsters of Darebin involved in Indian dance and music honoured TOI by composing and performing all the pieces of orchestra, song and dance. TOI celebrated the cultural moorings of its Australian offsprings and they did TOI proud! Popular film director P. Vasu who was a guest from India commented that the International Indianess of the immigrant population was the highlight of his Australian trip.
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2010 TOI was a noteworthy anniversary that grew in its Indian Association with Shylaja Chetlur bringing in her passionate pursuit of art & culture. TOI embarked on a more defined artistic journey in various aspects of its event execution. TOI celebrated the universal nature of its existence in a multicultural society. TOI rejoiced not just with Indian dances and music but connected to other migrant populations through their intrinsic arts forms that go to define their identity in an adopted land. Chinese Tap dance & Belly dance brought in newer audience apart from those for the Odissi dances & music from Strings, Chords & Voices.
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2011 had Gaanasagaram a musical confluence of local students & professionals. Another aspect was the well appreciated Trivia Night a celebrations for the students & parents alike with student presentations of classical facts, fun quizzes & Indian camaraderie.
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2012 TOI concentrated on various dance forms, encouraging its participants to explore their acquired skills with personal experimentation. The vocal & instrumental support too was provided by the music students flexing their boundaries with better understanding of the nuances of their art. Visual art was also introduced by way of a small group exhibition of Indian Art.
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The 13th TOI 2013 has the additional highlight of show casing multiple arts forms apart from its music & dance performances. Performance & workshops by Indian working professional from the fields of drama, painting, acting, story telling & digital film making mark a big leap in TOI. It is a 9 day festival celebrating a global Indianness.