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Home , Aruna Mohanty, Chitra Visweswaran, Meenakshi Chitharanjan, Padma Subrahmanyam, Sudharani Raghupathy, Travancore sisters

Volume: 6 Issue: 6 Jan.19, 2020 For Private Circulation Only SRI PARTHASARATHY SWAMI SABHA

Email : [email protected] http://sriparthasarathyswamisabha.com/

Upholding the rich tapestry Natya of Indian dance Kalasarathy Parthasarathy Swami Sabha has been a Sarabai, , home for a host of legends in the field of Balasaraswathi have been honoured in Awardees music and dance. From budding talents to various festivals conducted by the sabha. senior performers, it has given space to Interestingly, it has also had many firsts like (2002 – 2018) eclectic minds and diverse emotions. the of Sisters and The sabha has made history over time. Dr. Vyjayanthi Mala Bali’s Thiruppavai. Dr. J. Jayalalitha (a former member of our In its 120th anniversary, it is happy to release Prof. sabha) had staged, ‘Kaveri Thantha its newsletter dedicated to its festival ‘Bharat Smt. K.J. Sarasa Kalaiselvi’ when she was also honoured by Nritya Utsav’ for dance and dancers for the the sabha. Dancers and , first time. Smt. Ranganayaki Jayaraman , , Mallika Smt. Natya Kalasarathy 2019-20 Smt. Parthasarathy Swami Sabha is proud to present the Natya Kalasarathy Award to two Sri. Udipi Lakshminarayanan outstanding and ‘thinking dancers’ who have made significant contribution to the field of dance for the past few decades. As performers they have stolen the hearts of their audience; Smt. Malathi Thothadri as teachers they have nurtured many young minds and encouraged them to practice and propagate dance; as choreographers they have emerged magnificently with majestic Dr. thoughts. And as people, they have touched lives in their own humble efforts. Sri. Adyar K. Lakshman Their journeys are inspiring and thought provoking. Accolades and awards have made Smt. Rajeswari Sainath them more simple and humble over time. Ask them about how they conceive their ideas, they would say just two words – intense research. Dr. Srinidhi Chidambaram Recipients of the award Smt. this year are Smt. Deepika Reddy (Kuchipudi) Padmashree Awardee Smt. Urmila Sathyanarayanan () Smt. Anitha Guha and Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy Smt. Gopika Varma (Mohiniyattam) (). Read their stories to get a glimpse of their lives. 2 JANUARY 19, 2020 “I want to create dance that matters” JAGYASENI CHATTERJEE Recipient of the Central Sangeet Natak and Japan also presented their productions. ODA’s three months Akademi Award for the year 2010 and State tour of 26 cities of USA in 2013 received unprecedented reviews Award for the year from the media, including New York Times. The artistes of 2014, the Padmashree for the year ODA under her leadership has also performed in the 2016-17, Smt. Aruna Mohanty is known as an Europalia Art Festival, Brussels in 2013. innovative dancer. Interestingly, Aruna has also acted in the National Award winning Film ‘Sri Rasa Leela’, the first Initiated into dance at an early age by Guru Srinath Rout & full length musical ballet based movie on Odissi dance Guru Govind Charan Pal, Aruna Mohanty, was further groomed and achieved rare positive reviews. by eminent Guru Shri . Her passion towards dance took her forward, placing her on the global map as a Among her many accolades, she has also received the prominent Indian dancer recognized by the nation as a fellowship by the Ministry of Human Resources Padmashree Awardee. Development, Govt. of India and conferred But what is it that makes her unique, she says, “I with the prestigious Maharani Award in 1997 invest a lot of time for research that culminates by Guru Pankaj Charan Research into innovative thinking thereby producing Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Sanjukta unique choreographies. It is important to come Panigrahi Memorial National Award’– up with ideas that matter that could provide a 2001, Bharat Bhavan Award by the long lasting impact on the audience, else President of India, Jagannath Sanskruti mere movements and representations fades Bikash Parishad Award Lifetime away no sooner than the audience walks Achievement Award from Outlook out of the auditorium.” Some of the Magazine, Baroda and the Kalanurangam compositions in her repertoire include the Samman from Nrutya Darshan Academy. dance ballet Sravana Kumar, Kharavela, Jatra Baramasi, She has served as a member of Central Sangeet Gatha Odishi, Swargadapi Gariyasi, Pratinayak, Krishna Natak Akademi for five years and as the Shranam, Astapadis from Geeta Govinda and Executive Member of Indian Council for Siddhartha, based on the novel by Hermann Hesse. Cultural Relation (ICCR), New Delhi and Her production, ‘Shrusti O Pralay’, depicting the Advisor to Guru super cyclone that hit Odisha coast in 1999 is widely Odissi Research Centre along with being acclaimed. Her latest composition, Bhaba Sangam, Member of various committees in the Ministry Amazing Odisha, presenting the intricacies of the of Culture, India. During her tenure as the cultural fabric of the state, was staged at Kennedy Vice-President of Odisha Sangeet Natak Centre, Washington DC, USA in July 2015. Akademi, Aruna made valuable contribution in developing and executing Sharing about her milestone performances she says, the cultural policy of Govt. of Odisha. “Each performance is important. However some remain etched in the mind. For example, when I performed for She has been organising the Dhauli – the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India & Cabinet Minister Kalinga Mahotsav for last 14 years at the during BJP National Executive Council meeting at heritage site of Dhauli Shanti Stupa, the Bhubaneswar and the opening ceremony of 22nd Asian Udayaraga Festival to encourage young Athletic Meet, World Mens’ Hockey Cup in talents from different classical dance genres. Bhubaneswar. Needless to say, the ICCR sponsored This festival also includes an interactive seminar tour with my troup in European countries.” called ‘Bahirangam – beyond body’. And besides everything, she runs a Gotipua Gurukul where young Along with her performances worldwide, she has talented boys are scouted to be groomed as Gotipua also worked as a visiting faculty in the University dancers. of California, San Diego. She has participated in the “It is not about my own performance or my own International Odissi Festival organised in in 2008. students. There is joy in supporting young talents Orissa Dance Academy (ODA) was the only group selected grow. India brims with talent! Classical dancers need by Govt. of India to perform in the Festival of India in encouragement and support from organisations and Germany, in the year 2012 during the inaugural show. In people to thrive. I enjoy to do my bit in the most humble the International Dance Festival in Bangkok, ODA way,” she says as she concludes. represented India where 14 other countries like UK, USA JANUARY 19, 2020 3

first doctorate in Bharatanatyam from Of passion, patience and Madras University, her PhD thesis on the rare work, ‘Kuthanul’ has now been JAGYASENI CHATTERJEE commissioned by the Government of Tamil perseverance Nadu to publish as a book “Indiya paarampariyaththil cuvai” (with references An eclectic artiste, Dr Lakshmi and a lot of downfalls but the wait is worth to rasa from Kuttanul to Cilappadikaram) for readers worldwide. Ramaswamy has taken the more than a million views,” shares, Dr. road less travelled; of creating Lakshmi Ramaswamy, senior danseuse, She was conferred with the Kalaimamani title teacher and researcher in the field of (2011) for Bharatnatyam by the State for her contemporary classical dance Bharatanatyam. contributions in the field. productions based on rare From full length Sangam productions – How did the four decade journey as a Tamil texts and presenting to Nattrinai, Aingkurunuru and Purananuru dancer begin? She smiles and replies, “My her audience the life, ethics, (which she revived again this Margazhi mother. It was my mother’s dream that her folklore of the ancient times. season, she has expanded her repertoire to daughter must become a dancer. Else I would Pallu, Madakku, Pudhu Kavithai and more. have been just another employee in Year: 2005. Location: Madras University, company trapped in a regular job.” Her Bharatanatyam classroom with the Reasoning out her interest she elaborates, mother’s enthusiasm pushed Lakshmi to her legendary Padmabhushan Kalanidhi “There is so much poise in classical poetry and rhythm in its aesthetics. Even raging a Arangetram or first solo debut as a student Narayanan where she is teaching of Smt. Indira Krishnamoorthy in front of a Soundarya Lahari sloka. During the ‘veera’ warfare had its own norms then! Creating and recreating old literary works pose gathering of 7000 people in Tirunelveli, (a segment, a 30 plus year old student raises bustling cultural town in Tamil Nadu). her hand and objects her teacher, “Why multiple challenges. For example, interpreting is time consuming with limited After her marriage she shifted to should Mother Goddess in Veera rasa be resources; managing funds for sets, and greatly with the support of her husband, portrayed by virtue of Shiva’s valour? I have costumes and lights is a Herculean task and Ramaswamy, Lakshmi enrolled herself a second opinion. She is Shakthi, the kinetic. many a times I land up spending from my for a Master’s in Bharatanatyam at the Shiva acts because Shakthi helps him to do pocket. Platforms to showcase such University of Madras. so. Maami gives a subtle look and says, productions are quite few and they As a mother of a 10 month old, she also “Why don’t you try?” The next day too have budget constrictions,” became a student at the famed Chitra Lakshmi gives vent to her thoughts and she reveals and adds, “But Visweswaran’s Chidambaram Academy for comes up with ‘veera rasa’ of Shakthi these are not stronger than my Performing Arts and consequently became by portraying Shakthi – the art. Art has thrived for more than a staff member who also lend the omnipresent and universal Mother 2000 years old. We are mere nattuvangam support to her Guru. “It is Goddess. Maami without hesitation messengers.” under Chitra Akka that I picked up nuances said, “Alright. Only you can do this. One of the country’s first that changed the whole perception of dance. But all others would do what I Fulbright Fellow in Bharata From English grammar to writing official have taught.” natyam (2000) Lakshmi letters; stage management to light design; tour planning to performance experiences, That’s Dr. Lakshmi took up Arts and she nurtured me to stand up as a thinking Ramaswamy, a dynamic Culture Management dancer,” reveals Lakshmi who has in her bag mind who brims with and Administration at 26 productions in 25 years. new thoughts, deeply Golden Gate rooted in tradition University. She is Amongst the dancer’s other works include and conviction and also a ‘Top’ Grade unique productions – Suka Marga (based drawn towards the Artiste of on parrots in Indian Art, Thought and rare and the and Literature), Sundara Kandam, Bhaja a Senior Fellow at unknown. Govindam, Rama Hare Krishna Hare, the Ministry of Silambu Vidu Thoothu (the anklet “So many times, so many Culture, messenger), Aalaavathu Eppadiyo (How do people have advised me, India. The I attain thee?) why don’t you do a For her students, Lakshmi is popular track; it is not just a repository of the digital age. dance history and You’ll get more mythology. Her number of likes experience of learning and views. But I from Padma Subrahmanyam have enjoyed (Karanas) and Kalanidhi working on the Narayanan (Abhinaya) and not so known Dr. S. Raghuraman (Tamil literary works. It takes Literature) are anecdotes in a lot of time and patience every teaching class. 4 JANUARY 19, 2020 Quite excitedly she reflects, “I met Paddu Akka for the first time during the Abhai For the love of Ashtapadi-s workshop in her space Subrahmanyam Parthasarathy Swami Sabha in association with Dr. Lakshmi Ramaswamy’s Sri Mudhraalaya where she taught the hastas and charis in Natya Shastra. The last Vidyut Branta Cari conducted a lec-dem, ‘Of Eternal Love – an insight and approach to visual presentation of was done by me and Bijoyini during the Ashtapadi-s’. presentation that followed the workshop. TIDE - A YouTube Channel for all Indian Dance Forms by GIRI had joined hands as the Consequently, I was one of the first to enrol digital partner of the event. in the Nritya Sali course under her direct supervision and I still remember the Three unique sessions were conducted by three eminent stalwarts in the field. Dr. Neena questions she asked me during the Prasad (Mohiniyattam), Padmashree Awardee Aruna Mohanty (Odissi) and Smt Jigyasa examination,” shares Lakshmi who also Giri () shared about the remarkable Pan Indian presence of Ashtapadi-s taken forward serves as Assistant Professor in Vels through the styles. Each of the styles represent Ashtapadi-s in their University and as Vice President in own unique flavours. This flavour manifests through their own perspectives and use of Prayathnam.” grammar, body language and emotive mimesis evoking beauty. “Sharing snippets of my experience with These poems blend well and evoke and splendorous madhuryam! teachers gives my students a chance to Eminent dance critic Smt Leela Venkatraman also presented a talk, Flavour and Fragrance know our roots, where we come from – their of Ashtapadi-s while Dr.Lakshmi Ramaswamy gave a short presentation as part of the ideas and thoughts,” she believes. And hence during her institute Sri Mudhraalaya’s welcome address. 25th anniversary in 2019, she called it as The event drew attention of classical dance lovers, and dance students, teachers, poets ‘Rajatam’ under the theme of Vande Guru and writers who were drawn to know the choreographic nuances and lyrical beauty of Paramparam. Ashtapadi-s for a deeper comprehension of the genre. Sri Mudhraalaya with its satellite institutions Earlier in 2019, the Sabha had organised the first NAM Seminar in collaboration with Sri now have 3 generation of dancers. Students Mudhraalaya with 17 speakers over 15 sessions at the Anna Centenary Library. of the institute are marked soloists, Doordarshan graded artistes, national scholarship holders, PhD students and research scholars. Students are also trained Coming up in art administration through Lakshmi’s very 20-1-2020 (Monday) new NAM – NatyAmrita Manthan, a team 5.30 pm Bharatanatyam Poornashri Srivathsan that organises unique lec-dems and cultural 7.00 pm Bharatanatyam Rangarajan events in Chennai. “My mission is to ignite the minds of my students and make them 21-1-2020 (Tuesday) 5.30 pm Odissi Aneesh Raghavan feel proud of who they are, and what they 7.00 pm Bharatanatyam Sneha Manikandan do. is not about rituals or lighting lamps. It is about firm conviction and 22-1-2020 (Wednesday) honesty; it is about having a passion and 5.30 pm Bharatanatyam Anerudh Srinivasan, Deepa Ramanathan, going all out to make it happen!” Manjari Pradeep, Renuka Sugavanam 7.00 pm Bharatanatyam J. Varsha 23-1-2020 (Thursday) 5.30 pm Bharatanatyam Apoorva Natarajan 7.00 pm Bharatanatyam Varisha Narayanan 24-1-2020 (Friday) 5.30 pm Bharatanatyam Samyuktha Shankar 7.00 pm Bharatanatyam Oviya Raja 25-1-2020 (Saturday) email: [email protected] 4.00 pm Bharatanatyam Lavanya 5.30 pm Bharatanatyam students of Natya Kala Niketan EDITORIAL TEAM 7.00 pm Bharatanatyam Shruthi Lakshmi 26-1-2020 (Sunday) Editor-in-chief: 4.00 pm Bharatanatyam Mruthula Jagyaseni Chatterjee 5.30 pm Bharatanatyam Vanshika Reporters: 7.00 PM Bharatanatyam Preethi Shankar Amrutha Sriram | Nivedita Raghavan

Photos: Lingan Studios Shankar The newsletter is available online in our site www.parthasarathyswamisabha.com. Layout & Design: Fairy M If you wish to write for us send us an email at [email protected].

Season’s newsletter from Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha. For Private Circulation only.