Creative Aging: Moving Poetry: Indian Dance and Poetry with Sloka Iyengar at Kips Bay Library

Explore your artistic potential with Creative Aging, a series of art workshops for adults 50 and older.

Please join us at Kips Bay Library as we host dancer Sloka Iyengar (pronounced Shloka) for her special program bringing together movement, poetry, and storytelling.

We will explore Bharatanatyam, a 2,000-year-old dance form that originated in South India, as it entwines with the poetic arts. In this series, participants will explore works by poets (poems will be in English or translated into English), dive into the language of emotions (called rasas), and create collaborative poetry inspired by movement in the Bharatanatyam style to strengthen community connections. We will also create poetry of our own on the themes discussed.

SEE APRIL DATES HERE

All movement can be done seated on a chair, standing up, or even just with your hands! Find the joy of words, expression, movement, music, and storytelling in Bharatanatyam.

Movements are adaptive, and can be done by participants of all mobilities.

All materials will be provided. 

Attendance at all sessions is strongly encouraged. Space is limited and registration is required.

Requirements to participate:

• You must register for each individual session you wish to attend
• Comfortable clothing and footwear should be worn
• Please arrive 15 minutes early to the class
• Participants must bring this release form filled out and signed to every session they plan to attend

Walkups will be permitted if space accommodates.

This series will consist of 6 sessions, 60 minutes each. 

About the Artist

Sloka Iyengar PhD is a neuroscientist and practitioner of an Indian dance form called Bharatanatyam, passionate about relieving suffering through the sciences and the arts. Her dance practice manifests in three main ways: 1. Continuing to learn Bharatanatyam, music, and Sanskrit from her gurus; 2. Developing works that articulate the convergence between the sciences and the arts; and 3. Creating the foundation to use Bharatanatyam for creative aging. You can find more about her at http://www.slokaiyengar.net. 

About Creative Aging

Creative Aging is a series of free art classes for adults 50 and older. This year, in-person programs are available from branches throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Come discover a new art medium or deepen your skills in a practice you’ve explored before! Visit nypl.org/creativeaging for a full list of programs.