Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Margazhi Mahotsav inaugurated

Staff Reporter

Birju Maharaj, Padma Subrahmanyam, `Vikku' Vinayakaram honoured

FORMIDABLE LINE-UP: Eunice Crook, Director, South India, British Council (second from right,) conferring the title `Gnanakala Bharathi' on Birju Maharaj at the inauguration of Margazhi Mahaotsav at Bharath Kalachar on Friday. Others from left are, `V isvakala Bharathi' awardee Padma Subrahmanyam; Vyjayanthimala Bali; Mrs Y.G.Parthasarthy and `Viswa Kala Barathi' awardee Vikku Vinayakaram. — Photo: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI: Placing the December cultural season on a par with the Edinburgh festival, Eunice Crook, Director of British Council in South India, said on Friday, "The traditions here are the source of cultural confidence."

She was inaugurating the Margazhi Mahotsav of Bharat Kalachar. Ms. Crook gave away awards to Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj, Bharatanatyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyam and percussionist Vikku Vinayakaram.

The Edinburgh festival was the result of efforts to heal the wounds of World War II in Europe, she said.

Educating children on their culture helped them understand other people and cultures better, she said.

"An appreciation and understanding of art is indispensable."

Bharat Kalachar honoured Birju Maharaj with the `Gnana Kala Bharathi' title while Padma Subrahmanyam and `Vikku' Vinayakram received the `Viswa Kala Bharathi' awards.

The `Kala Bharathi' title was conferred on N. Krishnamoorthy, secretary of Soorya, Thiruvananthapuram, for his contributions to music and dance.

The `Natya Kala Bharathi' title was conferred on S. Radhakrishnan (Raadhu) for his service to the field of theatre.

The `Yuva Kala Bharathi' titles were conferred on 12 young, up and coming artists in various fields, including harikatha and drama.

Birju Maharaj saluted knowledge and art and lauded young artists for pursuing a career in traditional art forms at a time when "[television] channels showed dances that begin below the waist."

Modernity was nothing but the return of the old, he said.

Chandrasekaran, general manager of Indian Overseas Bank, Ms. Padma Subrahmanyam, Lalgudi G. Jayaraman (who released Bharat Kalachar's souvenir), industrialist Nalli Kuppusami Chetti and former MP Vyjayanthi Mala Bali participated.

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