As Lalitha Kala Vedika, a family-run, non-profit cultural organisation that promotes classical performing arts, gears up for its 20th anniversary celebrations, its members look back on the events that have contributed to a rewarding journey.
“In 1995, my parents, BVSS Mani and Lalitharatnam, patrons of classical music and dance, were inspired to start LKV, with the blessings of the Srigeri Sankaracharyas,” says secretary, Madhavi Mani. “The Sringeri Math in Georgetown was the venue for the inaugural performance by the Mayavaram sisters, Uma and Geetha. Since then, we have featured alternating music and dance programmes on a monthly basis. From 2012 onwards, it has become a bi-monthly schedule.”
An eminent industrialist, the late BVSS Mani was dharmadhikari of the Sringeri Mutt, Georgetown, Managing Trustee of Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, president of several Chambers of Commerce and advisory boards and president and life-time Managing Trustee of Sri Krishna Gana Sabha whose annual Natya Kala Conference he co-sponsored from inception, a tradition carried forward by his family.
A deeply spiritual person whose life ethic was rooted in Vedic values, BVSS Mani’s philanthropy extended to the establishment of a chair in Vaishnavism in the Madras University, construction of pilgrim cottages at Tirupathi, Varanasi and Rameswaram and the sponsorship of several cultural and educational institutions. A Sanskrit and Telugu scholar, he was particularly drawn to the compositions of Annamacharya, Bhadrachala Ramadas and Tyagaraja.
The late Lalitharatnam was trained in Carnatic vocals and skilled in handicrafts. She was director of Swadharma Swarajya Sangha, a charitable institution founded by her philanthropist grandfather. The organisation marks each anniversary by honouring eminent artists with a gold medal and cash awards.
Recipients include vidwans Calcutta K.S. Krishnamurthy, P.S. Narayanaswamy, N. Ramani; vidushis Mani Krishnaswami, Kanyakumari, Saroja and Lalitha; and natya acharyas C.V. Chandrasekar, Kalanidhi Narayanan, V.P. Dhananjayan and Vedantham Satyanarayana Sharma.
“We are indebted to the late Calcutta Krishnamurthy, who was a constant pillar of support, actively involved in LKV’s growth. What keeps us going is the blessings of our parents and the Sankaracharyas,” says Lakshmi, Madhavi’s sister. “Rasikas have been treated to unique presentations such as ‘Sangeetha Geya Dhara’ astavadhanam by Saikrishna Yachendra, jalatarangam by Anayampatti Ganesan, Kala Krishna’s Andhra Natyam and Swapna Sundari’s Vilasini Natyam. They also look forward to Harikatha, katha kalakshepa, devotional concerts, talks by musicologists and our annual Annamayya programme”.
The team that runs LKV comprises sisters Lakshmi, Madhavi, Padma and Sundari, brothers Krishna Kishore and Ramu and Lakshmi’s daughter Naveena. Inheriting their parents’ love for the arts, Lakshmi is a Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi exponent, Madhavi and Sundari are vocalists, while Naveena is a vocalist and Sanskrit scholar.
As organisers, what challenges do they face? “In the past decade, rising auditoria rentals and artists’ remunerations have resulted in a steep hike in organisational expenses. Being a self- financed family-run concern with no external sponsors, we do find it a tad difficult to hold as many programmes as we used to. But the greatest challenge lies in mustering up a sizeable audience for concerts”. Adds Ramu, “We have to constantly think of ways to structure the programme to ensure a full hall. On the flip side, young talents are enthusiastic about performing for us and consider it an auspicious start to a flourishing career”.
They conclude with a heartfelt wish. ‘As all our programmes have free entry, we look forward to maximum attendance by rasikas”.
| Awards presentation |
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| The 20 anniversary of Lalitha Kala Vedika will be inaugurated on August 24 , 6.15 p.m., at R.K. Swamy Auditorium, 5, Sundareswarar Street, Mylapore. As part of the celebrations, the Sabha will honour some eminent artists with titles and awards. Mannargudi Eswaran will be presented the ‘Lalitha Kala Vedika Gold Medal’ and Suguna Varadachari will be given the Sri. B.V.S.S. Mani cash award. N. Gopalaswami, former chief election commissioner, will honour the awardees. This will be followed by Ramakrishnan Murthy’s recital. |
| On August 25: Lalitha Kala Vedika Gold Medal will be presented to dance exponent Nandini Ramani and B. Lalitharatnam. Cash award will be given to Vedantam Radheshya. Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam will honour the awardees. This will be followed by Neena Prasad’s Mohiniyattom recital. |
