CSILLAGSZEMŰEK (STARRY EYED): Folk-Dance Ensemble from Hungary
Folk Dance and Music Tour (October 13 – 22), Delhi, Jaipur, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Roorkee, Mussoorie, Dehradun, Noida, Delhi (Pushp Vihar, Najafgarh)
About the Ensemble
The Csillagszeműek (Starry-Eyed) Dance Ensemble visited India for the second time. The Group has been engaging in dance-education through various workshops, in which the idea is to make youn generation/children familiar with their native folk dances. Sándor Timár, choreographer and his wife Böske Tjmár established the dance ensemble in 1993, which is considered to be unique in Hungary and Europe, and includes about 450 children, some are even as young as 3 years of age. The Timár-method is used to train children and is well recognized in the world of folk dance just like, Kodály-method in the world of music education.
The essence of this method is to introduce the young generation to the existing folk dance and music traditions of Hungary. This is done not only through stage or as a priceless value of Hungarian culture but, as a real experience to be built into the dancers’ lives. The new generation has a need for the real experience of dance and this wonderful education, serving this purpose, has a community building effect, as well.
The ancient-order found in folk dances and its familiarity with the native language of dance, gives a real experience to both dancers and viewers during the performances that has resulted in the revival of folk dance traditions in Hungary.
The following are the links of some there Youtube videos:
Links
Csillagszemű Táncegyüttes-Tolnai üveges
Csillagszemű Táncegyüttes: Bihari táncok
http://www.youtube.com/csillagszemu2010
The Achievements
Mrs. Böske Timár received the Prize of Planetary Consciousness 26th October, 1996 at the Congress Centre, Budapest from Yehudi Menuhin. While, handing over the prize, he said the following words to her, “You are doing a wonderful work with the children! All over the world, the children need to learn to sing and dance, in the same way as I saw here this evening. They are familiar with both the Budapest and provincial theatre stages.”
The “Csillagszeműek” is one of the world’s most prestigious Hungarian folk dance and music ensembles. The group regularly performs at the Hungarian dance performers’ star-gala in the opera house, and takes part in the excellent dance-art happenings and festivals. After the premiere of their Hungarian folk-dance heritage show in Budapest, they presented the same heritage show on a performance tour all over Hungary. The ensemble was awarded in 1998 with the Hungarian Heritage Prize, and in 2003 with the European Dance Prize. In summer 2002, they performed for the Emperor and Empress of Japan at the Castle Museum of Esztergom, while in the fall, they performed in Strasbourg at the European Parliament. They have also won Prima Primissima (the best Prize in Hungary), in 2006.
The Performance Tour in India
The Csillagszeműek represent Hungary all over the world, they are, in fact, called the “Dance Ambassadors of Hungary”. The ensemble has been greatly acclaimed and met tremendous success wherever they performed in all major cities of Europe, New Zealand, Japan and India. In 2012, they had a tour in 13 cities of India and also participated in the Delhi International Arts Festival, held at the capital. On public demand, they came to India with their foot-tapping music, colorful costumes, energetic and terrific dance performances for the second time, now.
The leader, Mrs. Tímár Sándorné Nagy Erzsébet Ágnes (Artistic Director) led the 17 members’ performance tour, including her. The group had 12 Dancers, 3 Musicians, and 1 Cameraman; Balázs Bodnár led Orchestra for the ensemble. The Choreography was done by Mr. Sándor Timár, at Hungary.
| Members | Age group |
| 12 Dancers/ Performers | (aged 18 to 30 years) |
| 03 Musicians (members of Folk and Music Group) |
(aged 18 to 30 years) |
| 01 Team Leader | (age, 58 years) |
| 01 Cameraman | (age, 58 years) |
|
Total: |
17 participants: 10 Male, 07 Female |
They began their tour with the first performance at the 1st International Folk Dance and Music Festival, organized by ICCR at Kamani Auditorium on 13th October, Monday at 6 pm, they were the first performing group after the opening of the festival. They were also taken to Jaipur Shopping Festival to perform at Birla
Auditorium, Jaipur on 14th October. From October 15th to 19th, they performed at Meerut (St. Jones Academy), Muzaffarnagar (SF DAV School), Saharanpur (IIT Roorkee’s Saharanpur Campus), IIT Roorkee (as a part of VIRASAT festival), Mussoorie (Oak grove School), and Dehradun (RIMC), as a part of SPIC MACAY coordination. Having staged various performances, the group performed for the young students at Amity University and School (Pushp Vihar) and at Don Bosco Ashalayam, Najafgarh (an NGO), through the last days of their excursion between October 20th and 22nd, 2014.
Programme
Their programme
had the following Dance and Music forms to its credit, such as
v Kalotaszegi feast
(Highland dance)
v Tyukodi dances
(Dances from North-East Hungary)
v Kőrispataki spin-dance
(Dance from Transylvania)
v Galgamenti recruiting and spinning dance
(Dances from the Highlands)
v Sárközi jumping dance and csárdás
(Dances from South Hungary)
v Somogyi bottle dance
(Dance from South Hungary)
v Vajdakamarási couple dance
(Dance from Transylvania)
v Dél-alföldi gypsy dance and csárdás
(Dances from South Hungary)
v Mezőségi maidens’ dance
(Dance from the Transylvanian plains)
v Szatmári dances
(Dances from Transylvania)
v Orchestral music
During the tour, they have been to sight-seeing around Jaipur, Agra (Taj Mahal), Delhi (Birla Temple, Qutub Minar, Delhi Haat, with a ride on Delhi Metro).
The ‘Men of Steel’ as SPIC MACAY coordinator Rupi Mahendroo calls then reached India on 12th October and with their positive and ever-going attitude left for back-home, Hungary on 23rd October, early morning. While setting off from the country, the Group-Leader Mrs. Tímár Sándorné said, “I’m highly thoughtful to come back with a huge group, very soon!”
Tour Summary
| Date (October 13 – 22) | Performance at
|
| October 13 | Kamani Auditorium, Delhi |
| October 14 | Birla Auditorium, Jaipur |
| October 15 | Agra Tour |
| October 16 | St. Jones Academy, Meerut |
| October 17 | SF DAV Public School, Muzaffarnagar and at IIT Roorkee’s Saharanpur Campus |
| October 18 | IIT Roorkee |
| October 19 | Oak Grove School, Mussoorie and RIMC, Dehradun |
| October 20 | Amity University |
| October 21 | Amity School, Pushp Vihar and Don Bosco Ashalayam, Najafgarh |
| October 22 | Noida and Delhi Haat |
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