Remembering Chandralekha

Variety of performances at her campus in Besant Nagar on Dec.30, 31 and Jan.1

December 30, 2007, marks the first anniversary of the passing away of Chandralekha, dancer, teacher and arts activist.
To mark the occasion, a few events have been planned by SPACES, the arts foundation founded by her, at No.1, Elliot’s Beach Road, Besant Nagar. (Tel.044-24912177 or 9940419444)
Sadanand Menon, her colleague, has mailed this note on the events:

Dec.30
- 4 to 5.30pm, a new space for kalarippayattu, the Kerala martial/therapeutic form we are putting together now, will be inaugurated by the legendary Kalari maestro and guru Vasu Gurukkal, from Kaduthuruthy near Kottayam, and his students will present a demonstration;
- 6 pm to 6.45 pm - Poetry reading by Aftab Seth (part of the Prakriti Foundation’s Poetry Fest);
- 7.15 pm to 9.00 pm - Hindustani classical music concert, in Dhrupad style, by the Gundecha Brothers.

Dec.31
- 10.30 am to 1 pm - ’Baithak’ with friends from the artists’ community from various parts of India for a discussion on the urgent need for creating a pan-India forum for artistic solidarity.
(Nothing much possible that evening as, on New Year’s eve, the beach in front in this area is invaded by thousands of revellers.)

Jan.1
- Full day & full night - Kathakali event with all the celebrated artistes and gurus of the form like Kalamandalam Gopi and Ramankutty Nair and 30 other artistes from Kerala, participating in the all night performance.
- 10 am to 5 pm - demonstrations of Kathakali movements, make up, costume, music, etc;
- 6.30 pm to 6 am the following day - three Kathakali performances - the plays presented will be Nala Charitham, Kalyana Sougandhikam and Duryodhana Vadham.