Performance of the eighteen puranas

CHENNAI: The dance school, Srivarnisa Kalalaya, is celebrating its 20th anniversary by organising a dance performance based on “The eighteen puranas”.The dance will be performed by 95 students, compiled and scripted by Kalaimamani Gowri Rajagopal and choreographed by Samyuktha Varadarajan.The eighteen puranas that depict the rich Hindu tradition and Hindu dharma, are the compilation of sage Veda Vyasa. The puranas carry the messages from the Vedas, compiled in the form of simple, easily comprehensible stories.The event will also include a variety in the dance, as some puranas are performed in different dance forms like Karagam, Kavadi, Kummi, Pinnal Kolattam, Jothi dance and short dance dramas.Srivarnisa Kalalaya was started on June 12, 1991 by Samyuktha Varadarajan and the school now has over a 100 students with more than 500 students having trained there. The students have given over 200 performances at renowned places including Natyanjali, Chidambaram, Music Academy, Indian Fine Arts, Sri Kapali Fine Arts, Nungambakkam Cultural Academy and VDS Arts Academy.Samyuktha Varadarajan studied with late Guru Neela Balasubramanian of Natraja Natya Niketan and Guru Rajee Narayan. Abdicating her post as a gazetted officer in the central government, Samyukta started Srivarnisa Kalalaya. She has won titles like Natya Mamani, Nritya Kalaivani, Natya Kala Siromani and was bestowed with the “Best Bharatanatyam Guru award 2002” by the VDS Arts Academy, Chennai.The event will be held on June 11, 6pm at Srivarnisa Kalalaya Dance Institute, Ashok Nagar.For more details, call 98405 72985