Thursday 29 February 2024

Report - The Mylapore Trio Celebrates 120th Birthday of Smt.Rukmini Devi at SUMUKHAM KALAKSHETRAM

 

The Mylapore Trio - Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna (Kalakshetra Alumni & Cultural Ambassadors of Mylapore) Celebrated the 120th Birth Anniversary of the Legend Smt.Rukmini Devi on Sunday, 25th February 2024. The Trio organised a "Natya Samarpanam" in SUMUKHAM Terrace at their Residence in R.A. Puram. This which was a Brilliant Performance of Thyagaraja Pancharatnam by Seasoned Bharatanatyam Dancers of "Kalakshetra Baani" - Varsha Akhouri, Gopukiran, Ashin Kiran and Vidyalakshmi led by Veteran Gayatri the Daughter and Disciple of Krishnaveni Lakshmanan (Eternal Sita of Kalakshetra Productions). The Mylapore Trio has been conducting Thygaraja Aradhana for the past 22 years in Memory of Smt. Sumukhi on her Remembrance day. The Programme began with a Pillayar paatu... The Mylapore Trio welcomed the audience and Gayatri introduced the Co-Artists and the Event began...

Gayatri's Stunning Performance for "Jagadananda Karaka" and "Sadhinchene" was extremely Vibrant and Brilliant. Her Bhaava was immersed in Bhakti and Abhinaya was par excellence. She presented a holistic "Natya Virundhu" through her Soul Stirring Dance...

Vidyalakshmi did her best for "Dudugu gala". It was her maiden attempt to  perform for a Pancharatnam... which reflected her earnest efforts to imbibe the meaning of the lyrics.

Varsha's "Kanakana Ruchira" was  soaked in "Poorna Bhakthi". Her Soulful rendition had no parallel... Her Devotion reflected the ethos of bhakti bhava in pristine purity...

"Endaro Mahanubhavulu" by the Dance Duo was amazing and exuberant with the Live Orchestration. Both Gopukiran and his wife Ashin created waves... The Couple gave a lively & energetic presentation for Endaro...

The Live Orchestra was Simply Superb... The mellifluous voice of Young Akash was blended with bhakthi rasa... Though a maiden attempt... he stole the show. Kalamamdalam Vishnu Prasad made the audience electrifying and energetic through his expertise on Mridangam, which gave a vigour to the audience. Anandhu Lal's Violin made vibes... He added flavour and fragrance to the enchanting music. Gayatri's Nattuvangam was exhilarating and lively... The Grand finale of "Endaro" enthralled one and all - icing on the cake...

The Spectacular dance ended with the ever popular Mangalam "Pavamana Suthudu Pattu" with all dancers offering floral tributes to Lord Rama, Saint Thyagaraja and Rukmini Devi.

The Mylapore Trio set the stage artistically at the SUMUKHAM TERRACE. The backdrop was covered with "Korai Paai" (Mats) reflecting a native touch and a Sync with nature. "Sumukham Kalakshetram" banner with 2 vintage photographs of Trio with Rukmini Devi calling it... "Old is Gold". On either side the statue of Lord Rama with Sangeetha Mummurthies and Photo of Smt. Rukmini Devi decorated with Traditional Thanjavur Hamsa Lamps added Divinity and Cultural flavour and a Traditional touch to the Divine ambience. The Mylapore Trio Conceptualised and Created A Mini KALAKSHETRAM at SUMUKHAM Terrace which reminded of the Open Air Theatre (Rukmini Arangam).

The Mylapore Trio shared their Old Golden Memories with Rukmini Devi and Kalakshetra. They shared nostalgic thoughts soaked in emotions. Trio said because of their Foster Mother Sumukhi Amma (who was the Principal in Charge of BASSSchool, Kalakshetra) they had the opportunity to have Full Time Education and Part-Time Dance and Music at their Alma-mater. Trio has also created an Endowment in Kalakshetra in their Foster Parents Name (Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan)  during their Birth Centenary some years back.

Trio honoured the Dancers and Musicians with a Ponaadai and a Glass Painting and also thanked Gayatri for arranging, coordinating and presenting a Visual Treat to One and All at Trio's request. The Five Artists thanked the Trio for the golden opportunity to perform on this Historic occasion and also Gayatri for selecting them for the memorable occasion. The artists felt it was like "Dancing in Kalakshetra '' and really felt emotional and choked listening to Trio's Kalakshetra Experiences... The day's Chief Guest - Smt.Vasundra Thomas a Dance Doyen of yester years from Kalakshetra and a Close associate of Rukmini Devi blessed all of us... She recalled her decades long association with Trio from their childhood. She was glad to attend Athai's 120th Birthday organised by the Trio at Sumukham Kalakshetram rather than at Kalakshetra itself.

Our Special Guest Shri.Murali Son of Smt.Krishnaveni Lakshmanan was thrilled to be here and paid encomiums to Athai. He coined an Innovative Term - "ASA" Brand Name (Amar Suren Aparna) Synonymous to ISI Mark for their impeccable Service to Tradition and Culture. The SUMUKHAM Terrace was Full to the brim with Dancers, Musicians, Connoisseurs, Rasikas and the like...

The Grand Event concluded with a traditional sumptuous dinner to all the 80 Guests. Pineapple Kesari, Vathakuzhambu Saadham, Beans Carrot Curry, Thayir Saadham, Lemon Pickle and Potato Chips... all served in traditional paakumara thattu. Mylapore Trio offered the guests "Kannukku Virundhu", "Sevikku Virundhu", "Vayitrukkum Virundhu" (Feast for Eyes, Feast for Ears and Finally Feast for Stomach too).

The Guests opined that they were engrossed in the Ethnically Spectacular Ambience, Emotionally charged in the Scintillating Dance and Music by Remembering Rukmini Devi... tears rolled down their eyes with the Unparalleled Divine Experience at the "SUMUKHAM KALAKSHETRAM".

 Welcoming One and All...











 Gayatri's Stunning Performance for "Jagadananda Karaka" and "Sadhinchene"...

















Vidyalakshmi did her best for "Dudugu gala"...








Varsha's "Kanakana Ruchira" was  soaked in "Poorna Bhakthi"...















Gopukiran and his wife Ashin created waves for "Endaro Mahanubhavulu" with Live Orchestration...















The Spectacular dance ended with Mangalam "Pavamana Suthudu Pattu" by all dancers...






Honouring the Special Guests and the Artists...














The Grand Event concluded with a traditional sumptuous dinner to all...




















SUMUKHAM Subham...