The rich experience that she has gained over the long years of intense training, exploring, experimenting and choreographing, Malavika Sarukkai is keen to share with the next generation of Bharatanatyam artistes. For the endless joy and contentment that the art form has given her, the senior exponent wants to do her bit to creatively support enthusiastic youngsters. “I feel a sense of responsibility towards the art and the next line of dancers. We need to secure their future by upholding the classical sensibilities. Though it is important to widen the perspective and facilitate easy exchange between art forms, we cannot afford to dilute the core values,” says Malavika, who is gearing up to conduct the second edition of her Kalavaahini Trust annual presentation.
She started the Trust last year to engage with young, committed dancers who are aiming for excellence. “The interaction should not stop with teaching. Mentorship is a continuous and wholesome process. The young learners should be made aware of the deeper meaning of the art form, aesthetics of performance, significance of musical inputs and the purpose of choreography,” says Malavika.
The Trust will not only focus on dancers in Chennai but will reach out to young artistes across the country, pursuing different classical styles. On March 3 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chenna, Kalavaahini will present two young performers — Bharatanatyam dancer Christopher Gurusamy from Chennai and Odissi artiste Shashwati Garai Ghosh from Kolkata.
Born in Perth, Australia, Christopher was inspired by his mother to make dance his calling. After learning jazz and ballet, he decided to join Kalakshetra to gain expertise in Bharatanatyam. After passing out from the prestigious institution, he has been in Chennai performing solo and in group productions.
A well-known Odissi artiste, Shashwati has performed around the country and abroad. She has been exploring the repertoire of the dance form to showcase its traditional beauty and revive rare works. Shashwati also conducts workshops and lec-dems.
At the Kalavaahini event the two dancers will convey the Trust’s aim of staging and rejoicing classical arts in its true glory.
