Venkat Raman –
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
Bharata Natyam enthusiasts and the Tamil community in general anxiously await the performance of Ambika Krishnamoorthy as the industrious teenager presents her Arangetram on Saturday, February 25, 2017.
The event will be held at Dorothy Winston Centre, Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, commencing at 5 pm. Entry to the programme is free but seats must be reserved in advance and occupied by 445 pm. Please text 021-739879 with name and contact details along with the number of seats to be reserved.
As well as being a keen learner of Bharata Natyam under her Guru Renuka Ketheesan, who owns and runs ‘Sai Natyalaya’ in Auckland, Ambika belongs to an impressive lineage.
Impressive family
She is the granddaughter of the late Dr P Solvilangum Perumal and Dr Mrs Sakthi Perumal, eminent Tamil scholars from Madurai, Tamil Nadu (paternal) and the Late Dr M Krishnamurthi (well known internationally for his contribution to Sugarcane plant tissue culture and creating new varieties to suit local conditions) and Sarada Krishnamurthi (maternal).
As the only daughter of Sakthi Krishnamurthi, a lawyer by qualification and Ilango Krishnamoorthy, Managing Director of Mercury Printz and President of the New Zealand Hindu Temple Society, which owns and manages the Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam located at 69 Tidal Road in the South Auckland suburb of Mangere.
Renowned Guru
Mr Ilango said that Ambika is fortunate to have Ms Ketheesan as her Guru and as her 18th student to graduate and present Bharata Natyam Arangetram.
“Ms Ketheesan is a versatile dancer, violinist, excellent Carnatic music singer and trained as nattuvangam singer. She has produced, choreographed and directed many Bharata Natyam productions with local and international artistes,” he said.
A student of Bharata Natyam since she was four years old, Ambika has been under the watchful eyes of her Guru, who has honed her skill over the years.
Ambika has performed at several events organised by the Auckland Muthamil Sangam, Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam, Diwali festivals held at Vodafone Centre and Counties Manukau Police Head Quarters.
Varied interests
Due to step into her 16th year shortly, she is currently a Year 11 student at ACG Strathalan School. She is a keen Hockey player for her school and trains with her brother in the Papatoetoe Hockey ground.
Mr Ilango said that Ambika’s interest in fine arts and performing arts were kindled during her scholastic career at Hillpark Primary School and Remuera Intermediate School.
“She also performs on the Piano, Guitar and is currently learning Veena from Bhavani Suresh, a genius in the art. The Forthcoming Arangetram will be a milestone in her life. Ambika will be performing in front of her family, friends and well-wishers for almost three hours, of which ‘Varnam’ would be of 50-minutes duration,” he said.
Her parents encourage her to continue her interest in classical dancing. Her brothers Vetrivhel and Adhitiyan not only extend their support but have also taken charge of training her at home.
