The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : "Corporates could do more for promoting classical arts"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

"Corporates could do more for promoting classical arts"

Special Correspondent

"Sarada epitomised the spirit of the institution" The contributions of S. Sarada and Dhananjayans hailed

CULTURAL STALWARTS: S. Sarada, former head of Dance Department, Kalakshetra (sitting), greeting Shantha Dhananjayan of Bharatakalanjali at the 20th anniversary celebrations of International Dance Alliance in Chennai on Monday. Dhananjayan and David T . Hopper, Consul-General of the U.S. (centre), are also in the picture. — Photo: M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: S. Sarada, former head of the Dance Department, Research Section, Kalakshetra, and V.P. Dhananjayan and Shantha Dhananjayan of Bharatakalanjali were honoured on Monday by the International Dance Alliance (IDA), Madras Council, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

At a function organised at the Narada Gana Sabha, they were presented with mementoes and shawls by Leela Sekar, chairperson, IDA, and R. Krishnaswami, sabha secretary.

Method

It was pointed out that Ms. Sarada epitomised the spirit of Kalakshetra. Major luminaries of dance had been her students. She devised a method of writing Bharathanatyam in notational form. The Dhananjayans complemented each other in training dancers of the highest order. They brought on the dance arena a wave of freshness. They were great dancers and teachers.

David T. Hopper, Consul-General of the United States of America, who was the guest of honour, complimented the IDA on its continued support for promoting dance.

The classical art forms brought the people of the two nations closer.

N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu , who presided, referred to the American connection of IDA (it is headquartered in New York) and said the organisation had kept growing with the support from discerning people so far away.

There could be no pessimism regarding the future of classical arts. There was spontaneous support from new sections of society. The social background of classical dancers had changed profoundly. Young people had given support and audiences had grown.

Corporate entities could help more the endeavours of cultural organisations. Serious sections of the media should also do their part for promoting arts. He said The Hindu brought out a special supplement for the music season last year. He felt that more should be done for promoting dance.

Mr. Hopper released a souvenir and the first copy was received by Mr. Ram.

Leela Sekar said the IDA was a global organisation. Its Chennai chapter was started in 1986. Performances by different groups were being held every year.

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