By B.K. Viswanath

It was a bright Sunday morning as I responded to an invitation by Dr. Kripa Phadke, Director of Nrityagiri Academy of Performing Arts and Research Centre, to attend a talk on ‘The Art of dance culture from the Vedic times to the Contemporary’ by Natyacharya Prof. K. Ramamurthy Rao, Director of Nupura Kalavidura, Mysuru, to the students of dance of the Academy.

It was a pleasure to hear Prof. Rao, the chief guest, sharing his views on ‘classical dance,’ as such serious pursuits are a permanent source of inspiration. He was of the opinion that those who took to dance earnestly were sure to be rewarded. Classical dances like Bharatanatyam is an integral part of Indian culture and has existed since Vedic times, with its origins in the temples as a form of prayer to the Gods. It was encouraged by the Maharajas of yore and even today it continues to get support not only from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, several Academies and Universities but also from private organisations who have promoted and nurtured it.

The practise of dance has a positive influence on the performer. It not only improves physical strengths of the individual but also leads to personality development. Virtues like respect for gurus and elders and appreciation of other art forms becomes second nature to them. There was a report in a national daily recently on a CBSE X standard student Girija Hegde, who scored the third rank stating that it was Bharatanatyam, music and painting which helped her relax from the examination stress. The programme at Nrityagiri began with Suraksha Dixit outlining the morning’s schedule while also introducing the chief guest to the audience. Dixit said that it was the privilege of a dance learner to be taught by persons of the calibre of Dr. Phadke and Prof. Rao.

Tejaswini rendered the invocation in a melodious voice. It was a pleasure to see the young girls eagerly listening to what Rao had to say to them. Before leaving the hall after the function, the students paid their respects to their gurus by touching the feet. As a senior citizen and as a lover of music and arts, I was touched by some of the students touching my feet too as a mark of paying respect.

Prof. Rao was of the opinion that there was a close knit relationship between philosophy and aesthetics in life and that aesthetics accommodates dance in its purest form. Professional artistes continue to make art a daily practise in an attempt to raise the standard of classical dance.

Dr. Phadke, who proposed a vote of thanks, said that the dance group conducted a monthly programme by name Nadanritya, at which special lectures and demonstrations by experts on the finesse of dance will be delivered.