Sitarist, composer and teacher David Whetstone received $4,500 toward six weeks of travel and study in Madras, India. Whetstone plans to learn about South Indian music so he may apply deeper understanding and creativity to his collaboration with South Indian Bharatnatyam dancer Ranee Ramaswamy. Whetstone will investigate the traditional format of Bharatnatyam performance, its use of rhythmic cycles, themes and stories, and become acquainted with the terminology of the form. He'll study with Ramaswamy's master teacher Allarmel Valli, vocalist Raja Shekaran and others.
