Sabha executive R. Krishnaswamy runs the show like a strict school headmaster. So the opening evening of Narada Gana
Sabha where he is secretary got off on time, kept to the agenda and attracted a
big house on Dec.14.
It was an evening to celebrate three, na . . four artistes -
the Dhananjayans, dancers and guru, Rukmini Ramani, composer and guru and
nadaswaram vidwan Injikudi E P Lakshmanan.
They were decorated with awards by chief guest
Gopalakrishna Gandhi.
Special guest, dancer-guru Prof. C V Chandrasekar (
fondly called Chandru-anna) was in rewind mode, sharing times and work spent
with the Dhananjayans, from the time Shantha arrived from Malaysia when she was
8, followed by Dhananjayan's presence some years later.
Gandhi, now a favourite at cultural events of this kind
was a tad longwinded, very professorial.
Artist Nandakumar and his ward Devisri, who learns dance
at the Dhananjayans space in Adyar presented the couple with a huge portrait
painting. Their sishyas followed even as certificates to winners in music/dance
competitions were awarded.
In the VIP rows were two Kalakshetra veterans, gurus of
the Dhananjayans - Sarada Hoffman and N S Jayalakshmi. Theosophical Society
senior G. Sundari was also here. They form the old guard of Rukmini Devi's era.
As dancers and young artistes greeted the Dhananjayans
outside the hall, the nadaswaram vidwan Injikudi E P Lakshmanan, less abled was helped his away by his
sishyas, quietly and unnoticed.
Chandru anna had in his felicitation speech asked his
audience to enjoy the music of the nadaswaram when performed at weddings and
receptions, not ignore it.
This very evening, the vidwan received his award
gracefully on stage but hardly anybody even wished him.
There are different sides of the 'season'. This is also
one of them.
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