Recalling the words of eminent Bharata natyam exponent Rukmini Arundale that ‘art of Bharata natyam shows that its greatest message is its teaching of a philosophy of life’, Governor K Rosaiah lauded the initiatives taken by the Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India (ABHAI) in bringing together all the teachers, dancers, musicians, technicians, writers and rasikas to create and spread co-operation and better understanding among the fraternity.
Addressing the association’s silver jubilee celebrations at Narada Gana Sabha on Wednesday, the Governor said the founder of ABHAI, late Guru Pakkirisamy Pillai, deserved a special mention for his insight in bringing the community together, where the seniors in the field interacted with the juniors, shared, discussed and worked together in consonance to develop the dynamic Indian Natya. “We need more such associations in each and every field of art to spread and preserve it,” he added.
Conferring the Kalanidhi Awards on Natuvanar K Kalyanasundaram Pillai, Kalanidhi Narayanan, Ranganayaki Jayaraman, mridanga vidwan Adyar K Gopinath and dancer N Srikanth, he lauded the association’s efforts to provide financial and medical assistance and support to indigent artistes. The award comprised a gold medal, citation and Rs 25,000 cash for each awardee.
Launching the ‘e-patrika’ of ABHAI, Kalakshetra president and former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi said that the association had brought together different traditions under the grand tradition of Bharatanatyam. “It has facilitated interaction among various schools of dance,” said Gandhi.