Inaugural Day of 10th Year "Visesha Kala Poshakam Utsav" - 2016

Memorable Moments…

The “Mylapore Trio” AMARNATH, SURENDRANATH, APARNA & SUGATHAN of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 10th Year Spectacular “Visesha Kala Poshakam Utsav” - International Art Festival for Dance in Mylapore. It was a 5-day Natya Utsav from 27th to 31st January 2016 at Tag-P.S.Dakshinamurthi Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai. This Natya Utsav was in Commemoration of Smt. Rukmini Devi’s 112^th Birth Anniversary (Leap Year). The “Mylapore Trio” felt the need to expose the talents of many unsung heroes outside Tamilnadu and hence provided a Free Platform to them without sponsors. Dancers across India gave solo and group Performances all through the week in Mylapore. The Natya Utsav was a confluence of various dance forms of India viz., Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam all under one roof – a posse of colourful flowers and bouquets. “Aacharya Choodamani” Smt. Radhika Shurajit- Artistic Director “Thaka Dhimi Tha” – Jaya TV & Thrayee – School of Bharatanatyam was the Chief Guest. She applauded the earnest efforts of the “Mylapore Trio” in promoting culture across India and Abroad not only through their world famous thematic Golus in temples but also through Fine arts, promoting tradition & culture among children and wished the Natya Utsav a grand success. She said that she was surprised to see a very strong audience crowd which is very unusual in any of the Sabhas in Chennai even during the season.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE NATYA UTSAV WAS “PANCHA NRITHYAM”- A SPECIAL DANCE show by Foundation Secretary and “VERSATILE ARTIST” Chi. M.SUGATHAN – (a Multi-Talented and a Multi Faceted Dancer) Created History by Presenting A FLAVOUR OF FIVE DIFFERENT DANCE FORMS on Five Days. Viz., Kuchipudi, Odissi, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and Bharatanatyam. All his dances were highly enthralling, captivating, and charismatic and soul stirring engrossed with Bhakthi. On the Inaugural day His Kuchipudi concert was something different and unique. He danced Tharangam (dancing on a Thaambalam) balancing a pot on his head (Self Taught) – a rare visual treat for the audience and most difficult for the artist. His Odissi dance (Self Taught) was graceful and enchanting, with delicate moves and subtle gestures invited the audience applause. His Mohiniyattam performance in Female disguise was startling - His Magnum Opus - which left the audience spellbound & mesmerized. Only Females perform this dance form but SUGATHAN IS THE ONLY MALE MOHINIYATTAM PERFORMER (In Female Disguise) IN CHENNAI. His Kathakali presentation in Female Character and Costume as Damayanti was again astounding and remarkable. (The Kathakali costumes are very very expensive even to hire and not available in Chennai, hence he himself created them on his own innovation and imagination). On the Final day, His Bharatanatyam recital was filled with excellent Abhinaya & Bhaavaa, for Papanasam Sivan’s “Kaana Kankodi Vendum” on Lord Kapaleeswara and Meera Bhajan describing Drupadi Vastraabaharanam and Gajendra Moksham was poignant, soaked with ultimate bhakthi & bhaavaa and was Outstanding & exceptional. Tears rolled down the cheeks of the 300 strong audiences, who gave a Standing Ovation to him. He finally ended the Natya Utsav with the ever popular and famous Natabhairavi Thillana on Rukmini Devi and Kalakshetra, as a dedication to her, in commemoration of her 112^th Birth Anniversary (Leap Year).

On the First day, the first performance was by Sowmya Bose from Bhubaneshwar gave a good Odissi recital followed by a group Bharatanatyam  performance by Pragya Shukla, Swati Jakhmola and Bhavani Gopinath Kalakshetra Alumni was scintillating. 

Second day of the Natya Utsav started with a Mohiniyattam performance by Anjali Balan from Kerala Kalamandalam, which was graceful. The live orchestration also from Kalamandalam was excellent. Next was Students of Smt. Jigyasa Giri from “Devaniya’’ presented a dynamic Group Kathak performance.

Third day of the Natya Utsav triggered with a fine Bharatanatyam performance by Aparna Sastry from Banglore. This was followed by a Kuchipudi group recital by Hima Bindu Kanoj & her disciples of “Muvva-Nritya Raaga Nigamam” from Hyderabad, whose performance was excellent.

Fourth day of the Natya Utsav started with a Kuchipudi performance by  Sindhuja from Hyderabad which was neat and fine. Next was a vibrant Odissi group presentation by Madhulita Mohapatra of “Nrityantar Dance Ensemble” from Banglore.

On the Final day of the Natya Utsav, Ameera Patankar from Pune presented a dazzling Kathak recital. Next was an admirable Kerala Nadanagal by “Nrithya Chinthamani” Smt. Gayatri and disciples of ‘Krishnanjali’ Chennai.

This Natya Utsav provided a golden opportunity for the artists for their Maiden performance in Chennai. All of them presented themselves with gorgeous, authentic costumes and jewelry representing their State and culture. The dance items of these artists were exceptionally good which were very vibrant and made the audience always sit erect. Lastly, Unlike in Other Sabhas, Where the Halls are empty even during the Season, the Big Audience Crowd present everyday to cheer, was a Big surprise to the Artists which boosted them to perform with much more enthusiasm and vigour. All the Artists were honored with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Foundation.

The Five day Natya Utsav was a spiritual journey visiting all the holy places, worshipping great Gods like Ganesha, Padmanabha, Jaganath, Rama, Krishna, Shiva and the Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, through the Keerthanams, Javalis, Padams, Varnams, Thillanas by the Damsels. The Trio emphasized the importance of Spirituality & Bakthi through these Art Forms & at the same time stressed the need to promote Cultural History. All the Foundation members presented themselves in a traditionally gorgeous manner in a variety of costumes to suit the occasion. Indeed the festival was a spectacular treat to the eyes, ears and soul of the Rasikas. Altogether it was a “Bhaarata Natya Utsav”. 

On this occasion 165 Children from kids to teens, who participated in 20 competitions based on the theme ‘Marghazhi in Madras’ under three categories viz., Performing Arts, Fine Arts, Academic Arts in the 14th Year “Marghazhi Bala Utsavam” received their Prizes, Medals, Certificates and Special Prizes from the seasoned Performers on all these 5 days. These children were motivated to be the young Rasikas to witness these spectacular dances, which was a feast to the entire young mind. A bunch of foreign Nationals from Italy and Germany were part of the audience on all the days.