When world-renowned Bharata Natyam choreographer, dancer and Guru Adayar Lakshman visited New Zealand two years ago, he was appeased to experience the sincerity and dedication with which young men and women were learning the ancient classical dance.
“Children here appear to be more concerned about preserving our traditional values and arts than many of their counterparts in India. I am amazed at their penchant to pursue Bharata Natyam as professionals,” he told me during his visit to our offices.
Many visitors have echoed that opinion, saying that young men and women dancers today show commitment and dedication that was not experienced a few decades ago, save for a few who kept the fire burning.
Talent in New Zealand
Talented teachers have established dance schools in most parts of the world to explore and expose talents.
New Zealand is one of them.
‘Arangetrams’ (solo, debut performances by students graduating in the art) are held, not just as a public announcement of student achievement but also a measure of promoting an art that has stood the test of time.
This small country boasts of a rising class of talented youngsters who are eager to take the art forward.
But they must be warned against falling a prey to commercialism and the unwanted and unwarranted influence of Bollywood.
Fine Arts like Bharata Natyam should remain independent of monetary considerations, uninfluenced by the film industry.
Only then can it claim its position of supremacy to which it was exalted thousands of years ago in India.
There is another reason for promoting this traditional art.
The purpose
According to belief, Bharata Natyam was developed by Bharata Muni (Sage), who wrote the ‘Natya Shastra,’ out of the ‘Fifth Veda,’ a combination of the four original Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana) by Brahma, the Creator. The purpose of the Natya Shastra was pronounced in the words of the great sage, which, translated from Sanskrit, reads as follows:
“As the world became steeped in greed and desire, in jealousy and anger, in pleasure and pain, Brahma was asked to create an entertainment avenue which would be seen and heard by all. This was because the scriptures, too learned and ambiguous, were not enjoyed by the masses.
“The creation of Natya Shastra is very important in Kaliyuga, the present age of destruction and decadence.”
A devoted Guru
Renuka Ketheesan, an Auckland based dancer, choreographer and teacher hopes that the forthcoming Arangetram of one of her brightest students would live up to the prescribed standards of stamina and professionalism.
The debut of 14-year old Aishwarya Gopalakrishnan at the Dorothy Winstone Centre of Auckland Girls Grammar School on March 10, 2012, is anticipated by a large number of her people, notably her parents Sujatha and Gopalakrishnan, maternal and paternal grandparents (who are here for the event) and her large circle of friends.
“She has been my student for the past eight years and I have found her extremely devoted and obedient. She is devoted to the art and works towards achieving excellence. Although a quite person, Aishwarya expresses the various emotions with candidness and vivacity. I am fortunate to have such a student under my training,” she said.
A brilliant record
India-born Aishwarya moved to Botswana with her parents when she was just four months old and started dancing as a four-year-old expatriate under the tutelage of Usha Gopal.
Six years later, she moved to New Zealand with her parents and continued her training under Rema Shyamsunder and soon thereafter joined ‘Sai Natyalaya’ run by Ms Ketheesan.
“Aishwarya has participated in a number of dance programmes held as a part of a number of cultural and charity events. I am happy to acknowledge that her performances have been highly acclaimed by a cross-section of the society. Among the high points of this young dancer’s achievements was a souvenir presented by former Manukau City Mayor Sir Barry Curtis in appreciation of her stunning performance in 2005,” Mrs Ketheesan said.
Aishwarya has brought pride and joy to her parents, members of the family and many others as an outstanding student and as a pursuer of the fine arts.
A Macleans College Year-10 student (in Howick), she has been consistently a high performer in curricular and extracurricular activities.
She won the ‘Overall Academic Excellence Award’ at the College last year.
Her other interests pervade such diverse areas as debates, drama, Carnatic (vocal and instrumental), school choir and swimming.
A keen student of violin, Aishwarya was honoured with the ‘Sri Subramanya Award for Excellence in Violin’ last year for scoring the highest marks in the examinations conducted in affiliation with the University of Madras.
“Aishwarya is also a volunteer helper at the Bucklands Beach rest home and is also looking forward to involve herself in various community services in the coming years,” Mrs Gopalakrishnan said.
Aishwarya’s Arangetram will feature Renuka Kethessan (Choreography and Nattuvangam), Srikanth Gopalakrishnan (Vocal), Kundil Kesavan Narayanan (Mridangam), Dr Ashok Malur (Violin) and Saketh Ram Vishnubhotla (Veena).
