The graceful danceuse was performing a very famous kirthanam on stage with her illustrious teacher wielding the cymbals and spelling out the nattuvangam in his inimitable style.
This programme was taking place in the simple theatre that could seat 500 people.
In the open hall, the breeze wafted in, on that summer evening making it very comfortable for the audience. This was the Rathinavel Thevar Manram, the only community hall with an asbestos roof with simple seating arrangements.
The scene belongs to an era that is not far away, but appears so.
The few sabhas in Tiruchi then promoted exclusive dramas, classical musical concerts and dance performances in this venue. All chairs would be filled up well before time.
The knowledgeable audience enjoyed the pristine art forms presented by all the very popular performers of that era. It was a time this small number of classical art enthusiasts signified simplicity and a straightforward approach.
Today, numerous dance schools have sprung up in every area of this Rock City. University education even promotes the performing arts in Tiruchi. The simple shed that served as an auditorium has been razed and in its place has arisen an air-conditioned performing theatre that hosts all forms of performing arts, dedicated more to the lighter style than to the traditional.
In spite of the comfortable ambience, in spite of every area having a Sabha organising concerts against all odds, audiences numbers are going down. The classical art scene is striving hard to survive due to lack of sponsorships and a lot of classical talent is waiting to find exposure- this is the sad scene today.
Yet there has been a great leap in the field of adventure in Tiruchirapalli.
Until 1997, students had read about hikes in the hills and adventurous mountaineering activities only in novels written by English authors and in the National Geographic and Discovery TV channels.
The Science and Adventure Club affiliated to the Indian Mountaineering Foundation introduced rock climbing, river crossing and trekking in the Himalaya and the Western Ghats. Today, most schools have in their premises, a club dedicated to the study of nature and adventure.
To spread an interest in these fields, films, talks, slide shows, photographic exhibitions and expeditions in the Himalayas are being organised in Tiruchi. Many students have absorbed these activities into their daily lives, thus enhancing their lifestyle.
Vrinda Ramanan is a Bharathanatyam danseuse based in Tiruchi. She and her husband J. Ramanan, an architect and noted photographer, started the Science and Adventure Club, Trichy , affliated to the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi in 2000.
