Natyasastra Gurukulam(Navi Mumbai) and Aatmalaya Academy of Art and Culture Trust(Bangalore) organised the two days unique workshop known as From Immersion to Sadhana pertaining to ‘Nama’,’Rupa’,’Nada’ and ‘Bindu’ on 11 and 12th July at Bharataiya Vidya Bhavan, Navi Mumbai Kendra in Vashi. Natya is not merely performed, it is inhabited, it is not merely observed, it transforms the observer.The finale Immersion programme along with classical dance performances was held at Lion Dr Ashok Mehta auditorium of Shree Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha in Matunga.
On this occasion, Chakyar Rajan Memorial award was presented to veteran theatre personality and actor P Balakrishnan (Balaji),also known as Balan Tripunithara in the presence of Justice Soma Sundereshan , Justice Sriram, Dr Padmaja Suresh of Aatmalaya, Seniormost Bharata Natyam mentor of Sr Rajarajeshwari Bharata natya Kala Mandir – Guru K Kalyansundaram and Rohit Viswanathan of Natyasastra Gurukulam. Chakyar Rajan memorial award is named after Chakyar koothu Rajan, who was an outstanding and veteran artist of Chakyar Koothu- theatrical art form of Kerala as a court jester (Vidhusakha). Besides being a professional cost accountant, Rajan was particularly credited for his immaculate interpretations with a fien sense of humour , pertaining to stories from Ramayana, Bhagwatham and Mahabharata. Balaji was a close associate of Rajan and also worked together in theatre productions, serials and movies, hence the perfect choice for the memorial award. The Aatmalaya Lifetime achievement award was presented to Guru Vasant Kumar, former director of Raja Rajeshwari Bharata natya Kala Mandir. The award was received by his son and daughter.
Immersion has been conceived as an exploration of the deeper civilizational vision of the Natyasastra. Over two days Bharata Natyam exponents, scholars,teachers and reserchers participated in the intense sessions where Natya is not merely a perfect art but a path of aesthetic refinement, contemplative practise, cultural continuity and inner transformation. The four main components of the workshop were “Nama”- the power of language,mantra and the meaning, “Rupa”-form, embodiment, iconography and sacred aesthetics, “Nada”- sound,music,rhythm and resonance, “Bindu”-stillness,integration and the source form of expression. Together they illuminate Bharata Muni’s vision of Natya as a discipline that refines perception, hormonises emotion and nurtures the qualities essential for individual flourishes and a healtheir civilisation.
GURU VIJAY SHANKER
