“PANCHA NRITHYAM” by Chi. M.Sugathan - 10th yr “Visesha Kala Poshakam Utsav” Jan. 2016.

“PANCHA NRITHYAM” by Chi. M. Sugathan

in the 10^th year “Visesha Kala Poshakam Utsav” January, 2016.

Created History by Presenting

 A FLAVOUR OF FIVE DIFFERENT DANCE FORMS ON 5 DAYS.

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 Vastraabaranam 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).

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 Artist which boosted him to perform with much more enthusiasm and vigour. I was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Foundation.

The Mylapore 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 and Rasikas 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”. A bunch of foreign Nationals from Italy and Germany were part of the audience on all the days.