 Karate, Bharatanatyam &music
 What has Karate got to do with Bharatanatyam? Plenty, says Sensei Bala, a Third Dan Black Belt in Karate. He is an accomplished Bharatanatyam artiste and a keen student of Carnatic music. His talents and skills in blending Karate, Bharatanatyam and music were presented at the event 'Heian', (Peace, the real side of Karate), organised by the All-India Isshinryu Karate Association in Chennai on May 8.
Sensei Bala has performed dance fused with Karate for the World Music Album 'Ahimsa' sung by eminent singer K J Yesudas. 'Ahimsa' was performed at the Music Academy in Chennai, Hotel Ashoka, New Delhi, and Star Hotel Leela Kampensky, Mumbai. He also performed Karate dance fusion for another popular music album, 'Harmony', composed by well-known santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.
He was honoured with the 'Best Performer Award' for his dance performance in Bharathanatyam by former Governor of Tamil Nadu, P S Ram Mohan
Rao.
Heian
(Peace, the real side of Karate)
Tirukkural
Through the 1,330 couplets of Tirukkural sage Tiruvalluvar . teaches the basic lessons of peaceful and harmonious living. The essence of this is presented in dance form, with Bharatanatyam style.
Universal peace
Advesta, Sarva Bhutanam, Maitrah Karuna, Eva Ca, Nirmana Nirahamkarah are Sanskrit words. These words form a beautiful sloka which conveys the message that anger is meaningless and destructive, ego and anger should be shunned; one should promote brotherhood, friendship and love and we must lead on these paths to achieve universal peace. This sloka was presented as a fusion of Karate, Bharathanatyam and music.
Ekalavya
As a fusion of Karate and music, it portrayed the extraordinary power of a simple man to achieve his goal. Ekalavya, a less fortunate youth, happens to see a few students learning Karate from a meritorious guru at a gurukulam. He is eager to join them but is unable to do so because he cannot fulfil the conditions set forth for admission. However, he does not give up. As soon as the guru and his disciples leave, he enters the premises, picks up and worships the robe left behind by the teacher. Back home he starts intense practice imagining that the guru is present and is guiding him. In this way he develops extraordinary skills.
When the students complete their training, their guru organises a grand tournament. Ekalavya wants to participate, but his entry was denied as he has no formal training. He is pushed to the ground. Fortunately, a disciple who had earlier noticed his skills, helps him to take part in the tournament. Ekalavya, by excelling in all the events of the tournament, emerges as the winner. Unlike Dronacharya, the guru accepts him as his disciple.
The message is: "Obstacles melt away before a strong will."
The true dimensions of humanity
A fusion of dance and music, this was a presentation related to the Kalinga war and the intense emotions suffered by Emperor Ashoka after he emerged winner.
Here, two groups fight over an issue, and the defeated group is captured and tortured. As the violence continues, a messiah of peace and love appears on the scene. He stops the fight, asks the two groups to embrace with friendship and declares both as winner. He convinces everyone saying that forgiveness alone can bring true happiness.
R Rangaraj
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