A Bharatanatyam performance by ‘Kalaimamani’ Bala Devi Chandrashekar lit up the ongoing 90th birth anniversary celebrations of Annamalai University recently.
Hosted by the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Bharatanatyam recital at the Tech Park Hall was titled “Brihadeeswara: Form to Formless through the eyes of Devaradiyal”.
The performance was a tribute to the famed 1,000-year-old Big Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University V. Murugesan presided over the function.
In his presidential address, the Vice-Chancellor spoke about the integration of cultural values and Bharatanatyam, which the artistes have to spread across the world. He also stressed on the importance of fostering the unique culture of Tamils and on the need to stop aping western culture.
Ms. Chandrashekar had also performed the recital at the UNESCO headquarters at Paris in June 2019, two months after the Government of Tamil Nadu honoured her with the “Kalaimamani” title.
The exponent has been a honorary Professor of Music at Annamalai University.
K. Muthuraman, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, R.K. Kumar, Head of the Department of Music, and programme coordinator K. Krishnaraj also addressed the audience.
The programme was attended by deans of various faculties, heads of departments, teachers, and students.
