|
Mohiniyattam Classes at Chinmaya Centre
 The Chinmaya Heritage
Centre, Chinmaya Mission, Chetpet, Chennai, has started, as part of its heritage curriculum, regular classes in Mohiniyattam from March onwards.
Gopika Varma, a leading exponent of this art form, will conduct these twice-a- week-classes at the
Centre, with the help of the well-trained students of her school
‘Dasyam’.
Inaugurating these classes last Saturday by lighting the traditional
kuthuvilakku, Padmashri Chitra Visweswaran, herself a premier exponent of
Bharatnatyam, observed that Mohiniyattam was a predominantly lasya form of dance, specially noted for its extraordinary grace and delectable charm.
It was Maharaja Swathi Thirunal of erstwhile
Travancore, who, during his 19th century royal tenure, conferred wholesome patronage on Mohiniyattam thus helping it flourish to its present form.
However, it was the legendary Kalyani
Kuttiyamma, one of the earliest students of famed Kalamandalam, who systemized the relevant themes and gestures associated with this dance art, thereby imparting to it considerable spiritual resonance.
Gopika herself was a student of Kalyani Kuttiyamma fine-tuning herself to blossom into an unique specialist in this Keralite art. What is more, Gopika learnt
Abhinaya, the quintessence of Mohiniyattam, from Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair the doyen of
Kathakali, adding further allure and grace to her performances.
Swami Govinda Chaitanya of Chinmaya Mission,
Chennai, blessed the commencement of Mohiniyattam classes at the
Centre. He noted with satisfaction that the Centre had already initiated Bharanatyam classes some months ago.
Chinmaya Mission
(Chennai Centre) Secretary General EPG Nambiar, President Kannan, Secretary Unnithan and Sitharaman outlined the varied cultural activities of the Centre and solicited public response.
For further details, Mohinis (no age limit : no ’Mohanans’ are allowed) may contact
Gopika Varma at the Chinmaya Centre 28214202. Classes are also being held at Chinmaya Mission School, Anna
Nagar, Chennai.
R Srinivasan
18 A, 4th Main Road,
R A Puram,
Chennai 600 028.
Phone 24355576
Published on 6th March, 2004
More
Articles
|
