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| Homage to Rukmini Devi By a rasika / Mumbai |   | |||
| The fifth floor of SNDT University came alive with the white Rangoli designs on the floor and photographs
of 'Athai' adorning the walls of the dance class of Lasya Academy on 29 February. Indu Raman, the
Head of Department of Bharatanatyam had personally decorated the hall suitably to pay homage to her
Guru, Rukminidevi Arundale.
Indu Raman demonstrated to her students how to choose vibrant colours and to combine simple things like ethnic handmade bamboo mats and colourful drapes to aesthetically transform plain surroundings. This is one of the basic lessons learnt under 'Athai'. The homage to the doyenne of Bharatanatyam started with the Ganesh and Saraswati Vandana rendered by Bala, lecturer, Carnatic music. This was followed by a tribute by Indu Raman, an ex-student of Kalakshetra. She recalled her days in Kalakshetra where she learnt Bharatanatyam, the strict discipline inculcated in the students and the spartan lifestyle of the hostel students. The dance demonstration began with a short recital of 'Alankrita', choreographed by Indu Raman combining the Sapta Tala Alankaram and basic adavus in Bharatanatyam. This item has been specially designed by Indu Raman as a three-in-one educational aid for students incorporating music, tala and the adavus. Says Indu, "This helps increase their memory and stamina". 10 year- old Teertha Gopakumar performed a brisk Tisra Alarippu. Dr. Draupathi performed Natesa kauvuthvam and Sashtanjali, a Ghanaraga panchakam composition on Ayyappa. The concluding part of the morning was a short but power-packed lecture by Prince Rama Varma, a descendent of the royal vaggeyakara Maharaja Swati Tirunal of Travancore. He was in Mumbai to conduct a week- long workshop for senior musicians. He reminded the audience that India is home to two great systems of classical music when most countries do not have their own system of classical music and that Indian percussion like mridangam, tabla and 'konnakol' are finding immense popularity amongst the western audience. He explained the basic concepts like gamakam, swaraprastharam, tala practice, and voice culture. He stressed the importance of focussed 'quality time' rather than long hours devoted to listless practice. His description of the old system of sishyas practising ragas in the early hours of morning standing in the water for 2 to 3 hours after which the Guru would come to take bath in the pond brought forth his subtle sense of humour! He concluded his lecture with rendition of Swati Tirunal's Bhajan 'Aaj Aaye' set to Misra Pahadi Raga. There was not a single minute which was wasted; punctuality was observed in starting and completing the proceedings in the true tradition of the great lady Rukmini Devi Arundale, whose presence was felt by one and all! Contact: Indu Raman, Artistic Director,
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