Veena and thematic dance performance by students marked the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Kalasagar
Veena and thematic dance performance by students marked the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Kalasagar
Manasa Vijaylakshme. C
When an event features a mix of classical music and dance, it caters to a wider audience. One such was the evening of 9 July, when Kalasagar Academy of Performing Arts celebrated its golden jubilee.
The evening began with seven students (five being old students of Kalsagar) sitting in a row with veena in their hands and playing together. He was accompanied by a little boy on the mridangam. This hour long singing created the atmosphere of the evening. Beginning with Valachi, a Navaragamalika Varnam by Patnam Subramaniam Iyer, it also included compositions by Muthuswamy Dikshitar and Tyagaraja, and ended with a Thiruppugazh.
Veena performance by the students of Guru Malati Thothadri of Kalasagar Academy of Performing Arts on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the institution at Rajaji Vidyashram, Bhavan on Saturday. , Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
A recording of Carnatic songs performed by three young girls (Kalasagar, USA) was also shown on the occasion.
A Bharatanatyam thematic lesson by Ramakrishna Upasamhe, students of Malathi Thothadri and Usha Raghavan, founder of Kalasagar Academy of Performing Arts, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the institute at Rajaji Vidyashram, Bhavan on Saturday. , Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
The much-awaited event of the evening was the thematic Bharatanatyam production, ‘Ramakrishna Upasmahe’, choreographed by Malathi Thothadri and Prasanna Thothadri. It began with a wreath depicting the birth of Bhudevi, followed by a piece depicting Garuda. Students from Kalasagar’s branches in the US and Canada were also among the protesting students.
A Bharatanatyam thematic lesson by Ramakrishna Upasamhe, students of Malathi Thothadri and Usha Raghavan, founder of Kalasagar Academy of Performing Arts, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the institution, at Rajaji Vidyashram, Bhavan on Saturday. , Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
Keeping the theme in mind, the next part was on Rama. Appropriate backgrounds such as the forest and the royal court, and cut-outs of boats and the sea were used to depict scenes from the Ramayana. The production also scored with its perfect lighting.
A Bharatanatyam thematic lesson by Ramakrishna Upasamhe, students of Malathi Thothadri and Usha Raghavan, founder of Kalasagar Academy of Performing Arts, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the institution, at Rajaji Vidyashram, Bhavan on Saturday. , Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
The first part ended with Rama’s victory over Ravana. The second part begins with a Jaathi, followed by the birth of Krishna and various episodes of his life. This part was also distinguished by the use of appropriate props, lighting, and background music.
A Bharatanatyam thematic lesson by Ramakrishna Upasamhe, students of Malathi Thothadri and Usha Raghavan, founder of Kalasagar Academy of Performing Arts, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the institute at Rajaji Vidyashram, Bhavan on Saturday. , Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
One of the students, disguised as a saint, danced to one of Tulsidas’ hymns. The evening ended with Dashavatara Mangalam.
Kalasagar was founded on 2 October 1972 by the parents of Ramaswamy and Radhamani, Malathi Thothadri and her sister Usha Raghavan. Apart from training in Veena and Bharatanatyam, the institute also teaches Carnatic music (instrumental and vocal).