The Natyanjali provides for a meeting of minds. This morning I catch up with Prof. Ravichandran, a marine biologist based in Karaikudi.

Ravi also has an immense interest in temples and local traditions. Over the years he has collected over 5000 pictures of less known but unique temples this side of India. He also has a large collection of vintage music records.

Ravi's interests attracted an American pofessor in religion who was on a short stay in this area and the two are now collaborating on a study and a possible book on 'kula-deivam ' or family deities. The better part of the morning then is spent on talking about this subject before moving on to 'Nadi' and dance in temples.

Later in the evening, scholar B. M. Sundaram who has been presenting the Natyanjali for over two decades now, tells me how in the past there would be long, animated discussions on music and dance in the garden yard of secretary Sambandam's house after the day's recitals got over. "They would go on till 2 a.m.,"says Sundaram who wll soon leave for the USA and Canada where he takes classes on classical dance, an annual fixture on his calendar.

Sundaram has published a book on possibly all the songs composed on Lord Nataraja and he wants dancers and gurus to use this book as a reference to choreograph fresh items. "I am fed up listening to 'Bo Shambo'all the time and want to see fresh ideas," he says.

This evening sees a packed yard, with rasikas filling in by 7 p.m. They give a loud round of applause to artistes whose dance form they may not have seen before - Chau was new today.

The most impressive performance of Day 4 is by the dancers from Australia. Led by guru Jayalakshumy Kandiah who runs Nadanalaya, their two pieces are a visual treat and they get a big round of applause as they sign off with a Balamurali Krishna tillana.

They peformed in Kerala and at the Big Temple in Thanjavur on Sivaratri night and seem overwhelmed with this experience. Jayalakshumy is a veteran, having taught dance at SIFAS in Singapore, spent five years in the UK and then moved to Australia and has been honoured by the Queen of England for her services to art.

For many like these Australian artistes, this is indeed a pilgrimage.

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