Celebrating 75 Years

SPRM THE ART IN OUR HEART

SPRM

SHREE PATEL
RAAS MANDALI
LOK KALA TRUST, LATIPUR

SPRM
TAKING THE GRAND TRADITION FORWARD
Shree Patel Raas Mandli of Latipur has given a new identity with its lively performances to these traditional folk dances by its skillful artists in virtually every state of India and in many countries abroad.

Shree Patel Raas Mandli has strengthened the cultural values of our region, generation after generation and currently is gaining momentum in its endeavors under the able guidance of its president Shri Mahendra Andanai, an outstanding artist himself, is from the fourth generation of his family that has been serving this cause since even before independence.

SPRM - Shree Patel Raas Mandli - Lok Kala Trust, Latipur was established in the year 1940. Its pioneers were Late Shri Makanbapa Savaliya and Shri Khimjibapa Malani who provided their services between 1940 to 1951. Then came the second generation of Shri Becharbhai Poshiya, and Shri Ghelabhai Tarpada as presidents. Between 1966 to 1986 the third generation of Shri Bhagwanjibhai Tarpada & Shri Jerambhai Ramani led the group. Since 1986 onwards Shri Mahendra K. Andani and Shri Nathubhai G. Tarpada are leading the group in the 4th generation.

The current organizer of Shree Patel Raas Mandli-Latipur and a former director of Gujarat Youth Board, Shri Mahendra Andani says,'Basically we people are agriculturists. Even our dance movements, the swings and sways are in step with the agricultural operations. Raas keeps us creatively active. Its all fun and frolic. Thousands of dancers perform these pulsating traditional folk dances in our villages. It is a nature's gift to the people from the land of Krishna.'

'What we earn from our performances goes to the fund which looks after the welfare programmes of the village especially for the protection and maintenance of stray and unclaimed cattle. Our elders had formed this Raas Mandli about eight decades ago.'

'We are among the top Groups of Dandiya Raas & Garba. We also help youngsters to learn Dandiya Raas & Garba. We advise people to learn them as they are synonymous to a fitness program wich can keep them fit.'

'We present world famous Dandiya Raas, Dhal-Talwar (Shield-sword) Nritya, Hudo, Gof, 'Mishra Raas', 'Garba', 'Garbi', 'Bhawai Nritya', 'Tippani, Baneti etc.'

Following the traditional art of Dandiya Raas and Garba from his previous illustrious generations, Mahendra Andani has endeavored them to popularize it with his own inborn talents. In accordance with the changing times he gave it a fresh professional touch that could keep the new generation fascinated to it. Being a born artist he has gone a long way to create some very special styles of dance beautifully reflecting the rich culture of Gujarat. He has developed his own methods and theories of catering training for the very deep and difficult to perform styles of Raas and Garba. He has gone through number of programs and spread this art in the form of training hundreds Khalaiyas. He is a young, creative dancer with mastery in Gujarati folk dance. His creativity has also led him to spread the horizons for Gujarati artists by performing his choreography abroad. Mahendra Andani has dedicated the whole of his life to this divine dance Dandiya Raas and Garba. He is a versatile dancer and enjoys a very strong impact in the field of trainers and guides of Dandiya Raas and Garba.