Her dance school, Chidambaram Academy of Performing Arts(CAPA), celebrated its silver anniversary on October 21 with a dance theatre presentation called Parampara-Pravaaha in which about hundred dancers participated.

The show and its proceeds were dedicated to the cause of special children of RASA. RASA is an institution in Chennai, which makes use of Creative Movement Education and Music Therapy for the betterment of special children and was founded and is run by Bharathanatyam danseuse and singer Dr. Ambika Kameshwar.

The dance-theatre was presented in two sections: 'Parampara' featured the junior students of the dance school and symbolised the handing down of the traditional art form from generation to generation.

'Pravaaha', which featured Chitra and her senior disciples, was allegorical in that while tracing the flow of river Ganga from its origin in the Himalayas, through Jyotir Mutt, Allahabad, Varanasi, the Sundarbans and the final mingling with the sea, the presentation identified with the life of Chitra herself - the initial joy and enthusiasm, the maturing experience, the ups and downs, immeasurable tribulations and finally the peace within oneself.

Speaking to KutcheriBuzz, Chitra said, "my research on Ganga began in 1989, when I presented 'Akshaya Dhara', in which the Ganga was represented as a symbol of the Indian ethos. Later during the Natya Kala Conference at Krishna Gana Sabha in 1997, the sacred river was visualised as a symbol of evolution. But, over the years, my whole thought process on the Ganga was different and the entire approach changed in the recent presentation".

The allegory was explained through Chitra's narration in English between dance sequences.

Music Composition for the production was by R. Visweswaran, Chitra's husband and fellow artiste through the years who is also a singer and Hindustani instrumentalist in his own right. He said "The celebration on 21st was possible with the good vibrations of all the well wishers of the institution".

A token payment of Rs.1,11,111 was handed to Dr. Ambika Kameshwar, Director of RASA, from CAPA. Ambika, Chitra explained that RASA had created a world of difference to her brother Arun, who she said had benefited from the Creative movement Education and Music Therapy offered at this Centre after years of futile treatment and hospitalisation.

The presentation function moved the audience when Arun and the other special children from RASA were introduced on stage.

There was another emotional touch to the function when Chitra made her brother present her mother's antique diamond ear-rings to Ambika as his contribution to his Guru.

Says Ambika, "We are looking forward to have a place of our own and any effort from the community that will help these special children is always welcome. It was a fulfilling experience to receive what CAPA had to offer us as part of their celebration..."

Chief Guest for the occasion was Her Holiness Vithamma, Chitra's spiritual guru. T.N. Seshan, former Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. Rashmi Parthasarathy, Secretary, Bharat Kalachar and Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy, Founder-Trustee, Shree Bharatalaya offered their felicitations.

In the last 25 years, CAPA has trained several dancers who have received national and international scholarsips. Admission is highly selective and restricted and the students are also taught Nattuvangam (conducting a recital), theory of dance, stage-craft, lighting and teaching methodology.

The institution has produced several group dance dramas and some senior students have also established schools of their own, propagating the style of Chidambaram.

RASA accepts donations from wellwishers. Contributions can be made in favour of Chidambaram Trust - Rasa Fund. The contributions have 80G status under IT Act.

CAPA is at No. 10, Sri Labdi Colony, Chennai-18.
Ph: 0091-44-4992566, 4990036.
e-mail: vichechu@vsnl.com.