Vol. 15. No.2. February - 2015

KARNATAKA

BhavanBharatiya VidyaBharatiya VidyaBharatiya VidyaBharatiya VidyaBharatiya Vidya

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Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Race Course Road, Bengaluru - 1.

Tel.: 2226 7303, 2226 5746.Fax : 2228 7373

Website : www.bhavankarnataka.comwww.facebook.com/bhavan.bengaluru

e-mail : contactus@bhavankarnataka.com

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THE ART AND SCIENCE OF“ASHTAAVADHAANA” UNVEILED

Scholor’s who participated in the Ashtavadana pose with the Chief Guest Sri. Chiranjeev Singh(3rd from left) Standing from left Prof. K.S. Kannan, Dr. R. Ganesh, Dr. Shantha Shaivalini,Smt. Meera Kannan, Dr. R. Shankar, Sri. G.S. Raghavendra, Sri. Ganesh Bhat Koppalatota,

Sri Naresh Kirti, Sri. Sudhir Krishnaswamy and Sri. H.A. Vasuki.

Avadhaana is a rare and uniqueclassical art of ancient India which isscholarly and entertaining. Essentiallya literary art, it demands a high degreeof creative skills and retentive ability.“Avadhaana” literally meansconcentration, but the many dimensionsof this art form make it an awe-inspiring experience to the listener,and an intellectual and literary challengeto the avadhaani.

A tantalizing literary form ofmulti-tasking and parallel-processing,avadhaana involves instantaneousversification of any topic posed as aquery, within a specified framework.These extempore poems have all theclassical features of poetry such asgrammar, prosody, poetics andaesthetics.

The verses have to be mentallycomposed in the midst of deliberate,

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constant disturbances andengaging conversations which arefull of wit and humour.

Apart from the task ofcomposing verses on the spot, theavadhaani should be able torecall all of them at one go, andexplain the beauty of his lines withconviction.

Hence avadhaanam is athree-fold act of spontaneousversification in a highly classicalidiom, where a quick wit andsharpness of intellect, buttressedwith a lively bent of mind, come tobe tested.

All these came to the fore atthe Ashtaavadhaana programmeorganized by the Dr. K M MunshiInstitute of Art & Culture at theKhincha Hall on January 18.Well-known avadhaani andSanskrit poet Dr. R Shankar,held centre stage, holding hisown against posers likeniShedhaakshari by Prof.

K S Kannan, samasya(Sri H A Vasuki), dattapadi(Sri Naresh Kirti), Aashukavitaa(Sri G S Raghavendra),kaavyavaachana (Smt. MeeraKannan), and saMkhyaabandha(Dr. Shantha Shaivalini).

Even the most challengingchitrakaavya (Sri Ganesh BhatKoppalatota) and mischievousaprastutaprasaMga (Sri SudhirKrishnaswamy) were easilymanaged by Dr. Shankar.

Dr. R. Shankar

Scholor’s who participated in the Ashtavadana from left Dr. R. Ganesh,Sri. Ganesh Bhat Koppalatota, Sri Naresh Kirti, Sri. H.A. Vasuki, Prof. K.S. Kannan,

Dr. R. Shankar, Sri. G.S. Raghavendra, Sri. Sudhir Krishnaswamy,Smt. Meera Kannan and Dr. Shantha Shaivalini.

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Dr. Sri. Chiranjeev Singh, former Ambassador to UNESCO being honoured bySri. H.N. Suresh, Director, BVB, with Dr. R. Ganesh, Noted scholar joins.

Like any other great art orscience of ancient India,avadhaana too has its roots inthe Vedas and the shastras ofSanskrit literature. Later, even theregional languages adopted thisart and nurtured it, making itaccessible to all. In Kannada, itshistory goes back to the 10th and11th centuries. After centuries ofhibernation, it was revived in theTwentieth century. Dependingupon the number of tasks to becompleted, the art is categorizedinto several sub-forms. The mostfundamental and entertaining ofthem is the Ashtaavadhaana.

Here, the performer calledthe Avadhaani, will bequestioned in eight ways, as wasdone by the above-mentionedscholars to Dr. Shankar. Theavadhaani, in four rounds, willcomplete these tasks and wind

up the session with the recallingof the verses, followed byelaborating on the same. Theentire session may take two tothree hours, providing wholesomeentertainment to all.

ShatavadhaaniDr. R Ganesh coordinated andcompered the programme,adding to the animateddiscussions. Former UNESCOAmbassador Dr. ChiranjeevSingh was the chief guest andfollow the avadhaanas on thisoccasion.

ASHTAAVADHAANA

WHOLESOMEENTERTAINMENT

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A classical dance

workshop was organized byBharatiya Vidya Bhavan inassociation with MysuruSampradaya dance expertsDr.Lalitha Srinivasan andDr. Padma Sampath (disciple ofNala Najaan).

Nala Najaan, an American bybirth, had spent 14 long years inpost -independent India, learningBhartanatyam both in Mysuruand Thanajavur, styles of classicaldance and music in those days.He had maintained a detaileddiary documenting the dances hehad learnt, which has been

A WORKSHOPON MYSURUSAMPRADAYABHARATHANATYAM

preserved in meticulous fashionby his foremost disciple,Dr.Padma Sampath.

The simple maintaining ofthe records without tamperingwith them in any way, pointswithout doubt to the lineage ofthe guru-shishya paramparaoral tradition, which has stood the

Dancers who participated in a workshop of rare and authentic Bharatanatyacomposition from Mysuru Sampradaya pose with Guru Dr. Lalitha Srinivasan,

and Guru Dr. Padma Sampath (NRI, USA).

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test of time vis a vis Indian literaryart and traditions.

A Bhairavi varna, composedby the Tanjore Quartet, wastaught at the workshop. MrsPadma shared the nuances of thevarna as told and taught to her byher Guru. The varna delves intoart-centred exchangeprogrammes among kings of thosedays, reaffirming their friendshipand appreciation for each other.

The story behind this varnagoes like this: The MysoreWodeyars requested their visitingcourt poet/scholar (one of theTanjore brothers), to compose aspecial piece in praise of theMaratha kings and commissionedit through a court dancer, who inturn travelled to the Thanjavurcourt and danced to thecomposition with élan, boostingthe ego and morale of theThanjavur kings.

Every line of the pallavi ofthe varna has an elaborate story –

telling sequence, the ‘sancharis’enhancing the vaakyartha and thebaahaavartha abhinaya .The rhythmic passages are crispand short, the syllables for them,simple and melodious.

The dance steps are typicalto the Mysuru Sampradaya withcurvi-linear movements andgrace.

The most striking feature ofthe varna is that it tells thespectator the glory and grandeurof the erstwhile Maratha kingsTulajendra and his sonSharabhendra of the 19th century,who ruled Thanjavur and nearbyplaces. Their flamboyant life-style,the vast, fertile land and itsgeographical borders and thetemples they patronized aresketched in utmost detail in thismusical composition.

The ten-day workshopproved to be a unique learningexperience . The group ofdancers learnt with earnest

ENHANCINGTHE VAAKYARTHAAND THEBAAHAAVARTHA

YESTER YEARS’ROYALTY ALONGWITH DANCENUANCES SHARED

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enthusiasm from Dr .Padma .The way of life of yesteryears’royalty along with dance nuanceswere shared and discussed withsincere interest during theworkshop.

Another fascinating, almosthistorical feature of the workshopwas that the dancers practiced tomusic that was recorded in astudio in the 1960s for NalaNajaan by his teachers MugurSundaramma and NanjanaguduNagarathnamma , in which theformer renders the vocals and thelatter wields the cymbals.Saxaphone, the wind instrumentused for Bharatanatyaperformances in those days, isalso part of the music ensembleheard on the cassette, which gavethe workshop an archival twist.

Mugur Sundaramma andNagarathnamma wereaccomplished disciples of JettiThayamma and belonged to the

ancestral roots of Nanjanagudutradition.

The workshop participantsextended their gratitude to themanagement of Bharatiya VidyaBhavan, Bangalore, for hostingthe event in their premises.The Bhavan was appreciated forthe video recording of theworkshop, for posterity.

This unique workshop,which proved to be an eye-opener to present day dancepractitioners about the richclassical dance heritage ofKarnataka. The young danceaspirants were in awe whenDr. Padma explained the gloryof those days, narrating interestinganecdotes which she had heardfrom her Guru.

Dr. Lalitha Srinivasandeserved praise for her initiativeto pass on the tradition, andDr. Padma Sampath for her timeand generous sharing of herknowledge.

AN

EYE-OPENERDANCEWORKSHOP

COPIES OF THEORIGINALMANUSCRIPTS

DISTRIBUTED

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BVB-SOUTH CENTRE 10TH ANNIVERSARYCELEBRATION - JANUARY 17,2015

Chanting of Veda by the students

Students performing Sugama Sangeetha

Students performing Violin

Students performing Veena

Dr. R.V.Raghavendra,

FounderAnanya

inauguratingthe programme

on Jan 17,2015 with Smt.

PremaThotadri,

Hon.AssociateSecretary of

BVB

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BVB-SOUTH CENTRE 10TH ANNIVERSARYCELEBRATION

Students performing Mridanga

Students performing Keyboard

Studentsperforming

Bharatanatya

Studentsperforming

Flute

Studentsperforming

Bharatanatya

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SUSTAIN AND

REVIVE

CARDAMOM

IN KODAGU

A team of five students

of Madikeri, Havish Ganapathi,Nilanjana Gayathri Kuttappa,Nethra Khandige, G.R. Ashuthoshand Sanjana B.S under theguidance of Mrs. MeeraPoonacha are one among thetwenty National Award Winnerswho will be sent to Chandigadhfor Higher Education andTraining and will participatein the Higher Level Children’sScience Congress at New Delhi.Their concept of Extinction ofCardamom in Kodagu due tovariation in climate and weather

and methods of conservingCardamom production wonthem a place at the NationalLevel held at Shree JagadguruBalagangadharanatha SwamyInstitute of Technology Bengaluru.Congratulations from theChairman, Managing Committee,Principal and Staff.

Students of BVBKodagu Vidyalaya

Nilanjana GayathriKuttappa, Nethra

Khandige, Sanjana B.S.,Harish Ganapathi andG.R. Ashuthosh posewith Sri.Sreenivasan,Principal and other

dignitaries afterreceiving the certificates.

BHAVAN PRESENTED A HILERIOUS PLAY TITLED ‘HENGASKATRI’ ON JANUARY 8, 2015 AT KHINCHA HALL.

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OBITUARY : S.N. CHANDRASEKHAR

Senior journalist Salem

Nanjundaiah Chandrasekhar,known as much as an intrepid artcritic, passed away in Bangalore,on January 19. He was 93.

SNC, whose pen namedoubled up as a respectful form ofaddressing him, had anuninterrupted service record ofover Seventy years in print mediajournalism, having worked inmainstream newspapers such as

NONAGENARIANBHAVANITEFADES AWAY

Samyukta Karnataka,Deccan Herald, IndianExpress and KannadaPrabha. He was theonly journalist to havebranched into artcriticism in a big and

meaningful way, covering theentire gamut of performing andfine arts, and craft forms.

As a Kathak and Bharata-natya dancer, a studious listenerof both streams of Indian classicalmusic—Hindustani and Carnatic,an avid reader on the arts, andwith the decades of experience hehad garnered as a journalist,connoisseur, and art critic, hebrought a rare sense of

H.E. H.R. Bhardwaj,

formerGovernor ofKarnatakahonouring

Sri. S.N.Chandrasekhar,

SeniorJournalist ofKarnataka

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perception and sharpness to hiswritings, unparalleled in thenewspaper world of Karnataka tilldate. SNC’s interaction with thegreats in the arts field, right fromthe 1940s, was legion, makinghim a source of information soughtout by individuals and institutionsalike. The dance and musicfraternity of Karnataka especiallybenefited from the knowledge ofhis huge art canvas.

What set apartChandrasekhar’s reviews werehis depth of understanding of thesubjects he wrote about, and hisforthright and fearless stance. If heendeared himself to all as a warmand concerned human being, heantagonised many with his forcefuland unbiased writing, which in factearned him a grudging respectfrom the same quarters.

Official recognitions includingthe State Lalithakala, SangeetaNritya, Rajyotsava, and MediaAcademy awards came his waywithout asking—networking,especially for personal gain, wasanathema to SNC. Encomiumsfrom several cultural organizationswere his including from thePercussive Arts Centre, theM.S.Nanjunda Rao award fromthe Karnataka ChitrakalaParishath and the

G. Venkatachalam MemorialAward.

Closely connected withthe Ramakrishna Math, and aGandhian to the core, like hissiblings, Chandrasekhar’s frugaland disciplined lifestyle andphilanthropic attitude were visibleto all. He created severalendowments with the moneyreceived from these awards forsponsoring music and danceprogrammes to help encourageyoung aspirants.

Chandrasekhar was the onlyjournalist of his age to havepursued his writing as a mission.A true karma yogi, he worked tillthe day his end came. His15-year association with theBhavan had made him anindispensable, revered Bhavanite,ever ready to take any writing orediting work. He had a presencewhich was as imposing as it waslively. The Bhavan family todayfeels orphaned, but memories ofhis compelling stature and valueswill remain as worthy ofemulation.

The warmth and affection heexuded will remain in the hearts ofeveryone his personal touched,for always.

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PROGRAMME :FEBRUARY - 2015

Sun 11.00 a.m. -22. Cartoon exhibitionfeaturing‘Pickles and Lota’ by

Ms. Godha Raghavan

Chief Guest :Justice M N Venkatachaliah,Former Chief Justice of IndiaSri. N. Ram, Editor-in-ChiefSri. Shankar, Renowned cartoonist,The Hindu.Sri. D. Murali, Formerly Dy. EditorThe Hindu Business LineVenue : Indian CartoonGallery, M.G. Road B’loreNote : The exhibitionopen to Public till March 7, 2015

Fri 6.00 p.m. -27. BVB -Infosys FoundationCultural OUTREACH ProgrammeInauguration :Vid Anoor Anantha Krishna SharmaSwara Laya Madhuri : Instrumentalmusic ensembleDirection : Vid. Geetha RamanandVeena – Vid. Geetha Ramanand &Vid. Revathi MurthyVenu – Vid. Tejaswi RaghunathViolin – Vid. H.M. SmithaMridanga – Vid. A.S.N. SwamyGhata – Vid. S.N. Narayana MurthyKhanjira – Vid. B.S. NagarajMorsing – Vid.Bhardwaj SathavalliVenue: Sevasadan, 14th Cross,Malleshwara, Bengaluru – 560055

Sat 5.00 p.m. - Khincha Hall28. Bharathanatya Arangetramby Smt. Niyathi P Kashyap,Disciple of Guru Smt. Padma K G

Fri. 6.30 p.m. -6. Homage toSri. S.N. ChandrasekharVenue : Ananya,4th Main, Malleswaram,Bengaluru.

Thu 6.00 p.m. - ESV Hall12. Dr. G. SrinivasamurthiEndowment LectureTopic : Relevance ofAyurveda in modern daysSpeaker : Dr. V R Padmanabha Raoand Dr. Punith Kumar

Fri 6.00 p.m. -13. Devotional song byMs. Asha Ganapathy(in association with InfosysFoundation)Venue : Indian Institute of WorldCulture, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru

Sat 6.00 p.m. - ESV Hall14. Dr. Anantha RangacharEndowment LectureTopic : Contribution of Dr. AnanthaRangachar in translation ofUpanishadsSpeaker: Dr. P RamanujanPrincipal Investigatore-PG Pathashala Project

Sat 6.00 p.m. - Khincha Hall21. Bharathanatya :Ms. Deepa Raghavan,Director , Nritya Kaveri School ofDance (Disciple of PadmashriKanaka Srinivasan)

Sun 10.00 a.m. - Khincha Hall22. Natarajothsavaorganised by Karnataka Nritya KalaParishath

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"Registered News Papers"

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Bengaluru Kendra News

Reg.No. : KARENG / 2001 / 6498 / 29 APR 2002

February - 2015