nanmelville

Part of the Nrityagram: For the Love of Dance Project

Nan Melville lost her heart to Nrityagram (www.nrityagram.org) when she visited it at the invitation of the late Protima Bedi.  She was so enchanted by the dancers, and the concept of a village-school devoted to dance, that she decided to make a documentary film about the Nrityagram Dance Village and Ensemble.  She has traveled to India three times to film life in the dance village, and research archival materials.  

Her mission is to capture for posterity the story of the dance village and the dancers, and how they promote and develop the classical Indian Odissi dance form.  Dance institutions in India are still very reliant on individuals for financial and cultural support, and the documentary "Nrityagram: For the Love of Dance" will be used to promote awareness of Nrityagram, and as a tool to assist Lynne Fernandez, Executive Director, with fundraising for the school.  

By purchasing items from this collection you contribute to the continued success of Nrityagram. Thank you!

To learn more about the project, visit nanmelville.com/nrityagram/

This is a belated announcement, but one of my calendars was featured!

Daily Deviation, 2008-12-05

Daily DeviationCalendar, On The TABLE by nanmelville is a calendar that just begs to be hung in your kitchen! It's full of great shots of great food that is sure to stir your appetite (Featured by StJoan)

THANK YOU, St Joan!

See it here: www.deviantart.com/print/46628…

Read Nan's Bio

News: The Cutting Edge 17/08 [MC] + CONTEST news.deviantart.com/article/47…
Win a copy of Nina LaBayz!

News: I Hope You... ...Dance. news.deviantart.com/article/47…

Thank you so much to & for the features!

I was born in Kimberley, South Africa.  My interest in photography started at school and continued as a hobby at Rhodes University where I studied English and Drama.  The photographs I took of the plays we performed were very well received, and planted a seed of an idea; maybe my hobby could possibly one day transition into a livelihood.  The seed lay dormant while I taught high school English and Drama for a few years in Cape Town, then blossomed when I unexpectedly landed the job of Assistant Photographer at the former Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal (now Gauteng).  Having worked there for a few years, and wishing to further my career in one of the cultural capitals of the world, I moved to New York in 1986.

As a freelance photographer, I make my living taking photographs to fulfill assignments.  However, I take as many – if not more – photographs that I categorize as "Eye-catching Moments": combinations of light, color, shape and movement, a touch of the quirky, or a fraction of time that begs recording.

Fundamental to my interest in photography is the juxtaposition of motion and color, so I revel in the arts (especially dance) and in travel – both especially rich in these qualities.  Photography is drawing with light and it is this aspect that most intrigues me.  Every place has a different quality of light that reflects everything from colors of walls to the characters of people.  I am fascinated with the process of capturing light, and, with a camera, preserving it as one beautiful moment in time.

In keeping with my teaching background, I enjoy giving personal photography lessons to individuals eager to refine their photographic talents, or learn from scratch.